Douce'S Manor

Douce's Manor is a former large house, now a management training centre, located in West Malling. It was originally built around 1776 by Benjamin Hubble, with subsequent alterations and extensions in approximately 1802 by Thomas Augustus Dance, and further changes in the early 20th century. A music room and conservatory were also added in the 20th century.

The house is constructed of brick with a cement rendering, and features a steeply pitched slate roof with four tall, cemented stacks topped with pseudo-acroteria. It is two storeys high with attics, and has eight windows to the front. A tall parapet incorporates eight sections of balustrading concealing five flat-roofed dormers. A wide wooden modillion eaves cornice remains from the original 18th-century house. The first-floor windows are 12-pane sashes in moulded architraves, while the ground-floor windows are taller 12-pane sashes with sunblind cases, architraves and cornices supported by brackets. A central Tuscan portico with four columns and a cornice with ball finials at each end provides access via a double door. A plinth runs along the base. The right side elevation features a two-storey, three-light canted bay and a single-storey cemented range. A left-side extension has five sash windows. An attached single-storey brick extension has massive balustrades and a tall chimney with pseudo-acroteria.

The front hall contains a staircase with three turned balusters to each tread, scrolled tread ends with lilies, square newels, a curved bow to the first floor, and dado panelling, likely dating to the early 20th century. The early 19th century plaster ceiling is decorated with a Vitruvian scroll and two early 19th century Ionic columns. The cornice features fasces, paterae, and oval rings of wheat ears. The dining room includes an early 19th century marble fireplace with a central panel depicting a reclining female playing a lyre, with Cupid holding music. The Adam-style ceiling has a plumed cornice, a central oval, and corner pendants containing female figures. A further fireplace in the rear part of the dining room is an unusual early 19th-century design depicting Britannia with a helmet and trident, pulled by four cherubs, with a helmeted female in the corner and one cherub playing a lyre. The lounge has a plaster ceiling with deep relief and Queen Anne-style panelling, all likely dating from the early 20th century, and an iron grate with Delft tiles. The 20th-century music room (now a bar) has a barrel-vaulted ceiling of Tudor character, and a decorative Edwardian conservatory extends from it. A plain service staircase features stick balusters and a column newel. A 18th-century winder staircase leads to a Georgian wine cellar with alcoves for bottle storage and two three-plank doors. This cellar, known as ‘Twitch Inn,’ was created during the house's occupation by the RAF during the Second World War due to its proximity to Malling Air Station, and contains photographs and mementoes relating to that period. Prior to RAF occupation, the house was occupied by the Douce family. At the time of the survey, it served as the training headquarters for the Commercial Union Assurance Company.