The Friars

The Friars is a house located on Boley Hill in Rochester, built in the early 18th century and altered in the early 19th century. It is constructed of red brick and features a hipped roof covered with Kent tiles. The house originally had a central entrance and staircase, but these were removed when a rear extension was added, which now contains the current stairs.

The building has two storeys and an attic, with a large ridge stack. The front façade is symmetrical with a four-window range, although it was originally a five-window range; the central window and doorway have been blocked. It has a dentilled cornice and a plat band between the storeys. The windows are later plate glass horned sashes set in reveals, with flat arches and rubbed brick surrounds. There are also two flat-roofed dormers.

The right side of the house has a plain return, while the left side abuts Langley House. A tripartite doorway leads to the rear range under a round-headed arch, complete with a fanlight, and there is a small canted oriel window above on the first floor. The rear wall acts as a party wall with Whitefriars.

Inside, there is an early to mid-19th century open well staircase featuring stick balusters and a wreathed rail that is ramped up to the attic. Two first-floor rooms have large early 18th-century panelling with moulded cornices, and some early 18th-century door furniture is also present.