The Ruins Of Shurland Hall Or Castle

The ruins of Shurland Hall or Castle are a substantial late 16th-century country house, built by Sir Thomas Cheney during the reign of Henry VIII. It was partially constructed using materials reportedly sourced from Chilham Castle in Kent, initially comprising several courtyards. The surviving western portion of the building features two storeys, displaying a red brick facade with a diaper pattern of grey headers against a stone base. There are six windows, originally hung sashes with glazing bars, though the glass is now missing. The two central window bays are flanked by three-storey octagonal turrets, which are distinguished by stone quoins and castellated parapets. A tall, wide four-centred stone doorway, featuring dripstone, carved spandrels, and an iron-studded door, is located within the turrets at the north end. A small ground-floor window to the south of the main doorway represents a former doorway. Two windows are visible on each side of the turrets on the first floor and one window on the ground floor. A brick buttress is present at the south end. A projection exists at the north end, though it is now partially collapsed, with further remains of a stone wing behind it. The east front features four casement windows of two lights, each with four-centred heads, stone mullions, and dripstones. A wide four-centred stone doorway is also present. To the east lies a courtyard, enclosed by remnants of a building, rising to ground-floor height; the north side is of red brick, while the east side is of stone. The house was likely complete by 7 October 1532, as Henry VIII and Anne Boleyn were entertained there on that date.