Gadshill Place

TQ 77 SW HIGHAM GRAVESEND ROAD 3/47 27.8.52 Gadshill Place (formerly listed as Gad's Hill Place, Upper Higham)

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Built in 1779 by Thomas Stevens former Mayor of Rochester. Owned and occupied by Charles Dickens from 1857 until his death 1870. He wrote a number of his novels here. The opening scenes of "Great Expectations" are set in the locality.

Walls of red brick with string course below parapet. Slated Mansard roof with central octagonal bell turret with ogee shaped lead roof, ball finial and weathervane. Sash windows without glazing bars. Projecting porch with columns and pilasters and round-headed entrance door with fanlight. On either side 2-storey 3-sided bays with cornices to each storey. Central first floor window with 3 lights and elliptical arch to centre light. To the south-east the dining room was extended and a large conservatory added by Dickens. Rear much altered and built out, but an original doorcase with pilasters, pediment, and semi-circular fanlight, stone steps and wrought iron handrail. Internally Dickens' study is preserved as he left it with comical invented book titles in a sham bookcase on the door and original bookcases lining the walls. The staircase has had alternate balusters removed and fretwork panels inserted. Hans Anderson stayed at the house in 1857. Dickens built a tunnel beneath the main road to give acces to an extra garden where he erected a Swiss chalet now in Rochester museum.

Listing NGR: TQ7099170882