Matfield House Cottages

In the entries for the following serial numbers ---

14/156, 14/157, 14/158, 14/159, 14/160, 14/161, 14/162, 14/163, 14/164, 14/165 14/166, 14/167, 14/168, 14/169, 14/170, 14/171, 14/172, 14/173, 14/174, 14/175 14/176, 14/177, 14/178, 14/179, in the parish of Brenchley.

The address shall be amended to read---

"THE GREEN, Matfield" in place of "MATFIELD GREEN"

TQ 65 41 BRENCHLEY MATFIELD GREEN

14/175 Nos 1-3 (inclusive) Matfield 20.10.54 House Cottages

GV II*

Row of 3 cottages in the ownership of Matfield House. Probably circa 1730, contemporary with Matfield House. Flemish bond brick with blue headers to the ground floor, first floor tile-hung; peg-tile roof; brick stacks.

Plan: Details of plan unclear at time of survey (1988) as access to interior unobtainable. Appears to be a single depth range with a rear outshut. Right end stack, axial stack to left of centre probably serving back-to-back fireplaces.

Exterior: Extremely attractive south-facing range, overlooking the pond on Matfield Green. Externally the C18 features are very well-preserved and of high quality. Corbelled brick cornice at first floor level; moulded eaves cornice. Roof gabled at right end, half-hipped at left end. Windows and doors alternate on the ground floor, except where 2 windows are adjacent on either side of the axial stack. C18 doors with fielded panels and flat porch hoods. At the left end the door is flanked by C19 or C20 2-light casements. The other windows are C18 2-light casements, 4 to the ground floor, 5 to the first floor. These all preserve their original glass in square-headed panes except for first floor window right, which has been reglazed in the late C20. The windows have some of the most distinctive and ornamental window furniture in the parish, which has a remarkable tradition of C17, C18 and C19 hand-made iron catches and handles, a local residue of the formerly flourishing iron industry in Brenchley. The window furniture of these cottages includes quadrant catches at the top of the casements and scrolled bifurcated internal catches.

Interior: No access at time of survey but known to retain C18 joinery, including 2-panel doors and exposed beams. The interior may be as well- preserved as the exterior and the roof construction may also be of interest and could help to date the cottages more closely. In the event of an application to alter the building an internal inspection would be recommended to ensure that historic features are not disturbed.

Listing NGR: TQ6586841907