The oldest buildings in Hothfield?

Sandpit Cottage on Ram Lane c1937

Courtesy Rosemary Wooldridge

Turners Farm c1890s

Photo from Crosoer collection, Courtesy D Millar

The unusual gatehouse on Waterfall Road pictured c1920

Published by De'Ath

The Thanet Arms or Kings Head, published by De'Ath

Now a house, the rear portion dates from 17th Century

A brief look at the Listed Buildings Register

By Chris Rogers

Young Julius Cox e-mailed us (with his dad’s help) to ask what were the three oldest buildings, ruins or structures in Hothfield.  He rightly suggested that the church is the oldest, and with parts of it dating from the 13th century then I think he has to be right.  The church is the only Grade 1 Listed Building in Hothfield.  Sadly I couldn’t be sure, with any confidence, which are the next oldest buildings after the church.  The Listed Buildings register provides some clues but doesn’t necessarily list every old building.  There are certainly a lot of buildings in the Hothfield parish built in the 1800s, and the Listed Buildings website suggests quite a few from the 1700s too.

However, parts of Swinford Manor (just inside the Hothfield Parish) are said to date from 15th and 16th centuries (Listed as Grade 2*).  Sandpit Cottages (now one house) on Ram Lane near the Esso garage is described as possibly being based on a late mediaeval hall house (possibly around 1500), but refronted (in brick).  Britton Farmhouse, also on Ram Lane next door to Sandpit Cottages, is described as 16th Century and is itself a Hall House. Hope Cottage on the Bog Lane is also Listed as being from 16th Century.

Turner's Farm is thought to be based on a timber building from 17thC 'or earlier' as is the gatehouse on the north side of the Waterfall Lane/Coach Drive junction; and 'Post Farm' on The Street is also listed as being based on a probable Hall House from 17th Century.  There are a few other 17th Century buildings including Hurst Mill Cottage on Ram Lane.

Julius will have noticed that the old pub is labelled '1834' as is the older school on West Street, however parts of the pub, at the back, are said to be from the 17th Century.

If I’ve missed something, or you know of an older building, or remains of something older, then please let me know.

For more photos of Hothfield's buildings including the church, school and other street scenes then please visit our on-line Hothfield Memories archive.