Description

TQ 6757
1156-0/2/126
01/08/52

WEST MALLING

ST LEONARD'S STREET
Malling Place

GV
II*

Former large house, now nursing home. Dates from 1560 but
refronted and extended either side in the C18 and with
additions to the street front of the late C19. The central
part of the garden front is a timber-framed building of c1560
refronted in brick with tiled roof. 2 storeys and attics. 2
projecting gables to each side with 1 tripartite sash and
Jacobean pendants. Right side has 2-storey canted bay with C17
mullioned and transomed casements and stone plinth below. Left
side bays. have sashes and pedimented doorcase with engaged
Tuscan columns and three 12-pane sashes. To the right is an
C18 addition in brick with 2 flat-roofed dormer, two 12-pane
sashes and a pedimented doorcase with engaged Tuscan columns
and 6-panelled door. To the left is an C18 wing of Flemish
bond brickwork with diaper pattern. Two 12-pane sashes with
C19 canted bay to ground floor and pedimental doorcase with
Tuscan columns. Wooden modillion eaves cornice. 2 large
roughcast dormers. Return front has C19 oriel to 2nd floor and
bay to ground floor. Elevation to St Leonard's Street is a
mixture of styles. Late C19 Queen Anne-style to right. Red
brick with hipped tiled roof with massive pedimented dormer.
Wide wooden modillion eaves cornice. 1st floor has 4 narrow
8-pane sashes with rubbed brick voussoirs with keystones above
and decorative aprons below. Brick modillion cornice between
floors incorporating pediment of doorcase. Two 12-pane windows
to ground floor, top opening sashes with keystones, and
pedimented doorcase with engaged Tuscan columns and 6-panelled
door with rectangular fanlight.
Interior has Manager's Office with panelling and overmantel
dated 1566 with the intials SP. Late C16 4-centred arched
stone fireplace. Door surround with pediment and pilasters.
C17 panelling and sections of C16 timber-framing. Early C18
staircase built around a mahogany Spanish ship's mast and
leather-lined doors. c1720 cupboard with cock's head hinges.
Victorian fireplace. In 1642 Malling Place was owned by Judge
Twisden who later tried the regicides (1660). In 1718 Admiral
Charles Stewart, a nephew of the family, became the owner and
the Spanish mahogany ship's mast comes from a ship he had
captured and the leather-lined doors date from his period of
occupancy. In 1779 the house was owned by Admiral Forbes who
was notable for having refused to sign the death warrant of
Admiral Byng in 1756. In 1796 it was bought by Thomas Augustus
Douce who also owned the adjoining property.
(Buildings of England: Newman J: West Kent and the Weald:
579).

Listing NGR: TQ6763257142

External Links

• Historic England Listing
• Wikidata Q17546934

External links are from the relevant listing authority and, where applicable, Wikidata. Wikidata IDs may be related buildings as well as this specific building. If you want to add or update a link, you will need to do so by editing the Wikidata entry.

Recommended Books

• 
  Period Property Manual (New Ed)
• 
  Northumberland (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)
• 
  Herefordshire (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)
• 
  The green guide for historic buildings: how to improve the environmental performance of listed and historic buildings
• 
  Pevsner's Architectural Glossary (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Introductions)
• 
  Farrow & Ball How to Decorate: Transform your home with paint & paper