Outbuilding Immediately North East of Avalon

The outbuilding located immediately northeast of Avalon is a Grade II listed structure, believed to have been used as a studio by the painter John Herring, who resided at Meopham Bank (now known as Avalon) from 1853 to 1865. This early 19th-century building is rendered and features a slate roof with a brick stack.

The outbuilding is situated northeast of the main house, positioned between the kitchen wing and the stable block. It is a small, square structure that faces southeast and includes a stair cell at the left end with external access. While the original purpose of the building is unclear, it may have served as an implement shed with an apple loft above, but it has also functioned as a dairy. Herring was photographed in this studio, as noted in Oliver Beckett's book, J.F. Herring and Sons, published in 1981.

The exterior of the building consists of two storeys with a hipped slate roof. The southeast front has two windows, featuring paired plank doors to the right, a two-light 19th-century casement to the left, and two 12-pane 19th-century sashes on the first floor. A door on the left side provides access to the stair, and there are two casements on the rear elevation. The brick stack in the rear right corner is likely a 20th-century addition.

Inside, the space is plain, with the stair cell enclosed by a full-height boarded partition.

John Herring, who was initially a coachman before becoming a successful painter, specialized in artworks depicting horses and rural scenes. This outbuilding has group value with Avalon (formerly Meopham Bank) and the stable block.