Beckenham Place Mansion

Beckenham Place Mansion was built around 1773 for John Cator. It bears a strong resemblance to Damson Park, Welling, Bexley, designed by Sir Robert Taylor in 1765, and may itself be the work of Taylor. The mansion is constructed of ashlar and extends over three storeys. The main facade faces south-east and features seven windows. The ground floor exhibits long and short quoins, topped by a stringcourse. A cornice runs above the second floor, with a blocking course above that. The roof is hipped and clad in slate. A prominent curved bay of three windows rises through all three floors at the centre of the facade. A modern balcony has been added to the first floor of this bay, accessed by an external staircase, as the principal rooms are located on that floor. The sides of the building each have four windows. A central projection on the north-west side has rusticated stonework on the ground floor, above which is a large tripartite window. The central light of this window is round-headed and flanked by engaged Ionic columns supporting a pediment. The outer lights are flanked by Doric pilasters with a cornice above. Two windows are positioned on the second floor of each side. The north-west front of this projection forms a portico, believed to have been added in 1787 and taken from Wricklemarsh House, Blackheath. The portico provides access to the house at first-floor level, supported by four giant composite columns that rise through two storeys and support a pediment featuring a cartouche of the Cator family arms within foliage, accompanied by the motto "Nihil sine labore". A central doorway is flanked by engaged Ionic columns with a projecting cornice and a rectangular fanlight. Niches containing statues are situated on either side of the doorway. Inside, a notable feature is a central hall with a gallery and a small circular dome. Contemporary stables are located to the north-east of the mansion, and fall within the Borough of Lewisham in the County of London.