Gate House Marsh Works

FAVERSHAM

TR 06 SW HAM ROAD 659/6/10013 Gate House, Marsh Works 14-DEC-01

GV II

Gate house at entrance to gunpowder works, now house. 1800-10, with later extension. Flemish bond brick with slate roof and brick stacks. Double-depth plan, with extension to left (SW) of front.

EXTERIOR: 2 storeys. Gauged brick flat arches over late C19 2/2-pane sashes flanking panelled door in canted bay to right, with timber lintel over similar sash to first floor. Two similar windows to range on left and to left return, which has C19 timber porch with swept roof to panelled door.

INTERIOR: not inspected.

HISTORY: The Marsh Works were part of the Royal Gunpowder Factory which was established outside Faversham in 1786 after an explosion in the town, to remove some of the more dangerous processes. It played an important part in the improvement of British gunpowder leading up to and during the Napoleonic Wars, under William Congreve. A saltpetre refinery was built in 1789 as part of Congreve's successful drive to improve the ingredients of British powder. It was privatised after the war, and closed in the 1920s.

The gatehouse was added as part of the refurbishment of the site in the early C19, at the entrance to the works and close to the Proof House (qv) for testing powder. The bed of a testing mortar is located in the garden.