Knightsland Farm House

Knightsland Farm House is a building with origins dating back to the 16th century, rebuilt around 1600, and refaced in the late 17th century. It underwent alterations in the mid-18th century and was extended in the 19th and 20th centuries. The house features a timber frame encased in brick with a tiled roof. It has a hall with a long crosswing to the right, standing two storeys high with an attic. The main range has three windows, and the entrance is located to the right of the center, complete with a porch. The windows are glazing bar sashes set under cambered brick heads, and there is a brick plinth. A continuous plat band runs between the storeys, stepping up over the original entrance at the rear. The roof is hipped where it meets the wing, which has a prominent gable at the front and a hip at the rear. The ridge of the crosswing is lower than that of the main range, suggesting it was built over an earlier wing. A catslide roof extends to the right over 20th-century additions. The crosswing likely extends to the rear with a single-storey dairy extension from the 19th century. There are two large stacks and two similar dormers on the right return of the crosswing. At the rear, in the re-entrant angle, there is a full-height square stair turret with a separately gabled roof. The rear also features glazing bar sashes and two additional dormers. Inside, there is a through passage with a panelled screen leading to the hall. The ground floor at the rear of the crosswing has re-set linenfold panelling with 17th-century fluted pilasters surrounding a panelled chimney-piece. The original semi-octagonal stair has a square newel post, and at the top, there is an original doorway with a four-centred arch and moulded jambs. The roof features clasped purlins. Notable interior features include wall paintings from around 1590 to 1610 on the first floor, depicting the parable of the Prodigal Son in four panels in the main range, and a brocade pattern with a floral frieze in the crosswing. According to tradition, Admiral J. Byng lived here around 1750 during the construction of Wrotham Park.