College Green And Southgate And Garden Wall To Front

Two houses, formerly the hall range of the medieval palace of the Bishops of Rochester. The complex dates from the late medieval period, with the principal structure substantially rebuilt under Bishop Lowe around 1459, though some earlier fabric may survive. The buildings were significantly reordered during the 18th and 19th centuries.

The principal range is constructed of exposed ragstone and clunch rubble, much patched, with a brick parapet, while a timber-framed wing features some brick cladding and rendered surfaces. The buildings are roofed with Kent tile gable-end roofs. The front (north) elevation presents a Georgianised six-window range with a brick parapet, moulded cornice band and stone coping. Two large brick ridge stacks rise above the front doors. The fenestration consists of small four-light sashes at each floor positioned in line with the stacks and doors, with hornless sash windows throughout the rest of the elevation (eight-pane and twelve-pane to the second floor, sixteen panes elsewhere), all with exposed frames. The left-hand doorway on College Green features a moulded canopy on brackets with a panelled door and top lights. The right-hand doorway on Southgate has a pediment and shouldered architrave, also with a panelled door and top lights. Cast-iron rainwater goods are visible in places.

The timber-framed wing includes a tall brick stack at its junction with the main range and a sixteen-pane sash window to the first floor. Lean-to side extensions at ground floor level extend to the north, the rightmost with a hipped slate roof and featuring two tall fifteen-pane sash windows and a projecting triangular bay fitted with sashes. A blocked lancet is visible in the gable wall of the right-hand end.

The rear elevation (south) displays scattered fenestration with a mixture of sash windows and small casements. A later single-storeyed brick extension with tall ridge stack and tiled roof extends from this face.

Internally, the medieval plan is largely preserved. The main range, oriented northwest to southeast, formerly contained a hall and a fully storeyed service end in series to the east, with a solar or chapel above. The hall was raised over a low basement, evidenced by a blocked doorway on the south side and by the jambs and sills of two large blocked windows that once lit the hall. The position of the cross-passage is marked by a strainer arch in the south wall. A blocked lancet set high on the south side may have lit a solar or chapel. A timber-framed wing to the south of the end bay, probably of the 16th century, contains evidence of high-status chambers, including an in situ wooden door head with a depressed arch and decorated spandrels.

The roof, possibly 16th century, survives intact. The roof over the higher end and hall employs butt purlins, coupled common rafters, two large ties and principals with queen struts. The roof over the lower end uses common rafters with queen posts to all couples. A continuous moulded wall plate extends the entire length of the building to both sides. Some 18th-century interior features survive, including wall panelling, door furniture, panelled internal shutters, a fireplace with wooden surround, and a wooden arch with side niches.

The front garden wall, which is continuous with that to Prior's Gate House, is included in this listing.