The Blue Anchor Public House

The Blue Anchor Public House, dating to the late 15th century, is undergoing conversion into housing. The front portion comprises two of what were likely four bays of a hall house, with a chimneystack inserted in the 16th century. The building was refaced in the 18th century and further altered in the later 19th century when an L-wing was added to the rear. The structure is timber-framed but now clad in brickwork; the front range has a slate roof with end chimney stacks, while the L-wing has a tiled roof with two pedimented dormers.

The front range has two storeys and three windows, featuring a parapet, cambered openings with late 19th century tripartite sash windows, and a wide doorcase with a cornice and brackets. Inside, two bays of the original crownpost roof structure remain, likely dating to the late 15th century. One complete truss survives, retaining contemporary lath and plaster filling to the collars, and a contemporary plastered partition directly below. Decoration remains on these features, with exposed timbers limewashed. Significant timber framing remains from the first floor, integrated within the wall assembly. The timber is mainly young oak, but principal members are of elm. The crownpost is tall, with longitudinal arch braces to the collar purlin only; it is of uniform square section and lacks moulded decoration. Evidence of brace mortices within the collar purlin suggests two missing crown posts, indicating the house was originally of four bays, with the two central bays surviving. A brick chimneystack was inserted in the 16th century but removed in the 18th century during the building's refacing. The lack of smoke-blackened rafters suggests the hall may always have been floored. Andrews, Drury and Herbert's map of St Mary Cray from 1769 shows a structure on the site of the current front range.