Forsters

WEST MALLING

TQ6757 HIGH STREET 1156-0/2/60 No.124 01/08/52 Forsters

GV II

House. c1859 refronting of an early C18 house. Red brick with grey headers, stuccoed to front elevation. Slate roof with red brick chimneystacks. 2 storeys and attics 3 windows. Moulded eaves cornice. 12-pane sashes with jalousies. Central doorcase with cornice, pilasters and fretted panelled door, the top 2 panels glazed. Side elevation has deep stone rubble plinth. L-wing to rear, the service wing is tile hung with alternate plain and fishscale tiles. Front has attached early C19 forcourt railing on stone base with iron spear railings and modern pedestrian gate. Interior has fine early C18 staircase with 3 turned balusters to each tread and scrolled tread ends. Right side ground floor room has early C18 panelling with dado rail and 6-panelled door. Left side ground floor room has tall 8-panelled door which discloses only 6 panels to the hall. The staircase is similar to the one at Bradbourne House, New Road, East Malling (qv) which is of 1713-15 so that house is likely to be of c1710-20. A large mahogany cupboard in an upstairs room may retain 2 steps of a ladder staircase. Late C18 or early C19 attic staircase with turned newel. Series of early C18 2-panelled doors (1 with L-hinge and iron back for strongroom) and late C18 6-panelled door. C18 open fireplace with keystone to kitchen. Cellar has a late C16 or early C17 beam with lamb's tongue stop and some chamfered floor joists which may have been reused.

Listing NGR: TQ6795957635