Matfield House Cottages

A row of three cottages, Nos. 1-3 Matfield House Cottages, situated on The Green, Matfield, and likely dating to around 1730. These cottages were originally part of the Matfield House estate. They are constructed of Flemish bond brick with blue headers on the ground floor, and are tile-hung to the first floor, with a peg-tile roof and brick stacks.

The plan is not fully understood due to limited access, but appears to consist of a single-depth range with a rear outshut. There is a stack at the right end and a central axial stack, which likely served back-to-back fireplaces.

The south-facing elevation is particularly attractive, overlooking a pond on The Green. The 18th-century architectural features are well-preserved and of high quality. A corbelled brick cornice runs along the first floor, and a moulded eaves cornice is also present. The roof is gabled at the right end and half-hipped at the left. The ground floor doors alternate, with two windows adjacent to either side of the central axial stack. Original 18th-century doors with fielded panels and flat porch hoods remain. A C19 or C20 two-light casement window is located to the left end, while the remaining windows are original 18th-century two-light casements – four to the ground floor and five to the first floor. Most windows retain original square-paned glass, though one first-floor window on the right has been reglazed in the late 20th century. The cottages are notable for their distinctive and ornamental window furniture, which includes quadrant catches at the top of the casements and scrolled bifurcated internal catches, reflecting a local tradition of handmade ironwork related to the former iron industry in Brenchley.

Although interior access was unavailable during the 1988 survey, it is known that the cottages retain 18th-century joinery, including two-panel doors and exposed beams. An internal inspection would be recommended before any alterations to assess the condition of historic features and roof structure, which could help refine the dating of the cottages.