Mansion and wall attached, Sprivers, Kent

Record ID:  MNA183638 / MNA183638
Record type:  Building
Protected Status: Listed Building: Grade II*
NT Property:  Sprivers; London and South East
Civil Parish:  Horsmonden; Tunbridge Wells; Kent
Grid Reference:  TQ 6933 3994
Choose map:
Choose labels:

Summary

Timber framed core clad with red brick and tile hung to rear and extended with red brick. Plain tiled roofs.

Identification Images (1)

View of Sprivers, main entrance © Sprivers Mansion Wedding Venue
View of Sprivers, main entrance © Sprivers Mansion Wedding Venue

Monument Types

  • HOUSE (Medieval to Mid 18th C - 1066 AD to 1766 AD)

Description

15th century, extended 16th century and altered and extended 1756 for Alexander Courthope. Older wing of hall house origin. Main block of 2 storeys and attic on plinth with moulded brick plat band and eaves cornice to hipped roof with stacks to rear left and right and with 3 pedimented dormers, that to centre with segmental pediment. Regular fenestration of 5 glazing bar sashes on first floor and 4 on ground floor with central doubled doors of 4 raised and fielded panels with lion head door knockers in panelled surround with keyed architrave and pediment on Doric pilasters and with flight of 3 steps. Left return with glazing bar sash on first floor and C19 canted bay on ground floor. Right return wing of 2 storeys and attic at lower level with identical moulded details as front block, 6 pedimented dormers and with semi-circular headed glazing bar sash stair window with keyed surround, the imposts and keystone inscribed: AC 1756 with the fleur-de-lys emblem of the Courthopes.

The rear wing, incorporating the original timber framed building, clad at same time as front wing with red brick on both floors to front elevation, tile hung on first floor to rear elevation, with moulded plinth and plat bands, half hipped roof, half hipped dormers and stacks ranged left to right. Irregular wooden casements on both elevations and boarded and panelled doors irregularly placed. Attached and extending from south end of rear wing a red brick wall, in part in English bond, about 7 feet in height with buttresses and coping and gateway openings. Interior: rear wing with full frame visible with arched braces and close studded walls, extended C16 with queen strut roofed block, this section with chamfered and stopped cross beamed ceilings on nassive posts and with strapwork enriched Bethersden marble fireplaces on both floors; imported C17 wainscotting in upper room. C18 interiors include small entrance hall with very good quality rococo plaster cartouches with the Arms and badges of the Courthope and Lloyd families and with enriched modillion cornice to ceiling. All the principal rooms and corridors on both floors have similar cornices and also dado rails with simple fielded and beaded panelling, the left hand drawing room with egg and tongue surrounds to panelling. Moulded and lugged wooden fireplaces with rocaille scrolled friezes (the scrolls emanating from eagle heads). Stair hall with dog leg stair and half landing with ramped and moulded handrail with renewed " Chinese Chippendale " balustrade, dado and bead moulded panelling and with grooved and gadrooned cornice to coved ceiling with guilloched surround. Segmentally headed corridor openings and panelled doors with original door furniture throughout. Secondary stairs with original chinoiserie balustrade and ramped and moulded hand rail to upper flight and newel stair to attic with tenoned purlin roof. Kitchen semi-basment with very large fireplace with moulded cornice mantelpiece, fitted cupboards and ramped and moulded rail to stair. A manorial site passing from the Sprivers family to the Bathursts and by 1704 to the Courthope family (see Hasted,vol.V, 316-317).

[List Description]

References

None Recorded

Designations

Other Statuses and References

  • Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty: HIGH WEALD

Associated Events

None Recorded

Associated Finds

None Recorded

Related Records

None Recorded