Thorn House

TQ 64 SE BRENCHLEY MAIDSTONE ROAD, MATFIELD (east side) 6/146 Thorn House

II

House, at one time a public house. Probably mid C17 with later alterations and a C19 addition. Framed construction, the ground floor underbuilt in Flemish bond brick, the first floor tile-hung; peg-tile roof; brick stacks.

Plan: The house faces west fronting the road. The core of the building is a C17 single-depth 2 room plan house with a parlour/kitchen to the right, heated by an end stack, and an unheated service end to the left, originally divided between 2 service rooms and a stair cell. An outshut at the right end is probably later, perhaps C18. The house has been extended at the left (north) end with a parlour heated by a left end stack. Direct entrance into the heated room.

Exterior: 2 storeys. Asymmetrical 3-window front with a C19 plank front door to right of centre with ornamental strap hinges. 3 first floor and 2 ground floor 3-light casement windows, probably C19, with glazing bars; 2-light casement to the outshut. Roof gabled at ends; end stacks with brick shafts.

Interior: The principal room has a ceiling beam on the long axis with jewel scroll stops and exposed joists. Open fireplace with brick jambs, the lintel dated 1727. The left hand early room has a scroll-stopped axial beam with evidence of a former partition. The wall framing is visible on the first floor and includes jowled wallposts and a tension brace on the former external south end wall. C17 or C18 attic stair.

Roof: Clasped purlin roof construction.

An attractive small traditional house of the region. Group value with the Standings Cross Public House (q.v.), opposite.

Listing NGR: TQ6611242088