Douce'S Manor

WEST MALLING

TQ6757 ST LEONARD'S STREET 1156-0/2/125 No.60 01/08/52 Douce's Manor (Formerly Listed as: ST LEONARD'S STREET The Manor House)

GV II*

Former large house at present management training centre, c1776, by Benjamin Hubble with alterations and extensions c1802 by Thomas Augustus Dance, with early C20 alterations, Music Room and Conservatory. Cement rendered over brick with steeply pitched slate roof with 4 tall cemented stacks with pseudo-acroteria. 2 storeys and attics. 8 windows to main part. Tall parapet with 8 sections of balustrading concealing 5 flat-roofed dormers. Wide wooden modillion eaves cornice surviving from C18 house. First floor windows are 12-pane sashes in moulded architraves. Ground floor windows are tall 12-pane sashes with sunblind cases, architraves and cornices on brackets. Central Tuscan portico with 4 columns and cornice with ball finials at ends. Double door. Plinth. Right side elevation has a 2-storey 3-light canted bay and a 1-storey cemented range. Left side extension has 5 sashes. Attached is a 1-storey brick extension with massive balustrades and tall chimney with pseudo-acroteria. Front hall has well staircase with 3 turned balusters to each tread, scrolled tread ends with lilies, square newels, curved bow to 1st floor and dado panelling which is probably early C20. Early C19 plastered ceiling with Vitruvian scroll and 2 early C19 Ionic columns. Cornice with fasces, paterae and oval rings of wheat ears. Dining Room front part has early C19 marble fireplace with central panel with reclining female playing lyre with Cupid holding music. Adam-style ceiling with plumed cornice, central oval and corner pendants with ovals containing female figures. Rear part fireplace has an unusual early C19 fireplace with central panel depicting Britannia with helmet and trident pulled by 4 cherubs with helmeted female in corner and 1 cherub playing a lyre. Lounge has a plaster ceiling with deep relief and panelling of Queen Anne type, all probably early C20. Iron basket grate with Delft tiles. C20 music room (now bar) has a barrel-vaulted ceiling of Tudor character and a decorative Edwardian conservatory leads out of it. Plain service staircase with stick balusters and column newel above. C18 winder staircase to cellar which is a Georgian wine cellar with alcoves for storing bottles with two 3-plank doors. This is known as 'Twitch Inn' a bar created during the occupation of the house by the RAF during the Second World War because of the proximity to Malling Air Station and containing relevant photographs and mementoes. Until then the house was occupied by the Douce family. At time of survey the house was the training headquarters of the Commercial Union Assurance Company. (Buildings of England: Newman J: West Kent and the Weald: 579).

Listing NGR: TQ6775057329