The Grade II listed timber framed barn at Romden was dismantled following damage in the storm of 1987. The building was re-erected on this site between 1999 and 2003.

The following text is from the original listed building designation from its original site:
1. 5272 SMARDEN ROMDEN ROAD Timber-framed barn opposite Romden TQ 8942 29/43A II 2. Originally a farmhouse. C15 to early C16 timber-framed building, the first floor of its end window bays originally oversailing on the protruding ends of the floor joists and brackets, but the south one now underbuilt in brick. The eaves of the centre portion overhang on curved braces and brackets. The whole is now faced with weatherboarding. Hipped roof now covered with corrugated iron. All the windows lack glass and are now shutted. Four-centred wooden doorway in north front, with carved spandrels with emblems of rose and pomegranate, the emblem of Katherine of Aragon or her daughter Mary Tudor. Dragon post to northernmost jetty.
Listing NGR: TQ8953542084
(1)

It seems likely that the building dated to the first half of the 15th century, and was built by the Guldefords who owned the land from 1421-1509. It was superseded by the 17th century brick farmhouse and became an ancillary farm building - first a stables and cow-house with an inserted hay loft occupying the former open hall, and then, in the 19th century, an oast-house. The dismantling provided an opportunity to record many internal details and construction features.

The building began life as a two bay hall open to the roof and heated by a central hearth. The centrepiece of this hall was a crown post of octagonal section with moulded base and capital treatment. There was a cross passage which separated the hall from the service wing. A solar wing probably mirrored the service wing at the other end of the hall but this was replaced by a late 15th century two-bay cross wing, jettied on all sides with a symmetrically hipped roof. A gap between the hall and this addition was adapted to form a stair bay providing access to the solar chamber and ground floor rooms. The solar imitates the hall, with an open roof, an octagonal crown post and similar mouldings to the earlier hall. Before the building ceased to be the main house, this solar was renovated with a ceiling inserted and glazing added to the windows. The Tudor doorframe was added to the road frontage at this time. (2)

The service wing had flooring consisting of large slabs of local Bethersden marble. It is likely that there was an external kitchen. (3)

<1> English Heritage, List of Buildings of Special Architectural or Historic Interest (Map). SKE16160.

<2> Canterbury Archaeological Trust, 1987, Romden Hall House (Unpublished document). SKE16681.

<3> Burchess, M. and Crawley, K., 1983, The Hall House at Romden (Article in monograph). SKE16684.