Layer Marney Tower

LAYER MARNEY WICK ROAD 1. 5214

Layer Marney Tower TL 91 NW 16/33 23.6.52 I 2. The gatehouse and remaining wings of a great early Cl6 house which was never completed. It was begun by the first Lord Marney who died in 1523 and his son in 1524. There has been some C20 restoration and a few small additions. The gatehouse is a remarkable and very fine example of early renaissance work and ornament. The King's Italian architect, Guialamo de Travizi, is said to have designed the building. It stands 80 ft high, built in red brick with terracotta dressings and diapering in flared headers. There are 3 storeys and on the south side Flanking seni-octagonal turrets of 8 storeys with subsidiary turrets of 7 storeys on the north side, square turrets. There is much fine original detail in the windows, parapets and bands of cusped panelling. The small west ring is of 2 storeys and attics, roofs tiled, and with windows and detail similar to that of the gatehouse but more restored, Small modern north wing. Original part of wing has a moulded band between the storeys and a number of original windows. This wing forms the north side of the outer courtyard. A barn, largely rebuilt, incorporating C13 material is on the east side The long gallery forms-the south side, 2 storeys in red brick with diapering in flared headers, and a number of original doorways and windows. The south side is divided into 8 bays by buttresses. The west end has a crow stepped gable. Internally the main block retains many original doorways with moulded or chamfered jambs and four centred arches. The eastern room of the west wing has a fireplace made of original moulded oak jambs and four centred. head. Extensive C16 panelling Re-set original terracotta fireplace in modern wing, has Corinthian pilasters, acanthus consoles and enriched entablature. Numerous other original fireplaces. Original plaster ceilings with moulded ribs, one forming a geometrical pattern and the other a pattern of intersecting lines.

Listing NGR: TL9285117480