Residential properties - Gravesend Road
This page lists the residential properties on the section of Gravesend Road along the boundary with Stansted from the Telephone Exchange to the Margaret McMillan Centre. Some of the properties are in the Parishes of Meopham, Vigo, and Trottiscliffe and have been included for completeness.
Please get in touch with the Society should you have further information on any of the properties listed or suggest any changes or additions.
The Grange (Tower Folly)
Previously named Tower Grange and later Tower Folly, the property was originally part of Millers Farm and was used to dry hops. It is one of the first oast houses converted into a home in 1903 and is thought to be unique, with thirteen windows in the kiln roof. The property is in the Parish of Meopham.
Hartland Lodge
This property is in the Parish of Meopham
Barnfield Farm
This property is in the Parish of Meopham
New House
This property is in the Parish of Meopham
Lindenwood Cottage
This property is in the Parish of Meopham
The Pump House
To be completed
Lynwood
This property is in the Parish of Meopham
Wentfield Lodge
The lodge was built in 1902 on land previously belonging to Wentfield. It was part of the Waterlow estate and passed to the Lance family in 1916 along with Wentfield. Many of its residents were workers associated with the Waterlows/Lances. It was sold on the open market in 1945.
Wentfield
This is a large detached house that was built between 1874 and 1877. It was extended by the owner John Drummond before being sold (along with Wentfield Lodge) to the Lance family in 1916. The Lance family were largely responsible for the introduction of the Saluki breed of dog to the UK and had breeding kennels on the land. Brigadier Frederick Lance sold the properties in 1945 to Oliver Achurch and moved to nearby Wentshaw. Mr Achurch lived in the property until his death in 1986.
Lindenwood Manor
This was a large detached property which predated 1870 and was orginally called Porters Wood. It was demolished in 2012 and a new property was built in its place in 2015/16. This property is in the Parish of Meopham.
North Lodge
The building was originally constructed as the lodge for the northern approach to Trosley Towers and marked the entrance to the driveway that crossed the bridge over Vigo Hill. Sir Sydney Waterlow built it around 1887. From 1936 until 1972, it was the home of Ezekiel Shamoon, the last owner of Trosley Towers. At this point, the parish boundary follows the centre of Gravesend Road, placing the property within the parish of Meopham.
Wentshaw Lodge
To be completed
Vigo Retreat & Barn
The land to the north east of the old Vigo Inn, adjacent to Vigo Cottage, now contains self-contained holiday lets plus outbuildings originally called Vigo Retreat and Vigo Barn.
Vigo Cottage
The Vigo Inn (1471-2014) was separated into two dwellings in 2018. This part of the building was converted into a 2 bedroomed property.
Vigo House
The Vigo Inn (1471-2014) was separated into two dwellings in 2018. This part of the building was converted into a three-bedroomed property.
Wykendene
The house is built on the site of the old Gravesend Turnpike toll house which was demolished after 1901. It operated as the Daffodil cafe from before WW2 to the late 1960s and was a fruit and vegetable shop until 2018.
1 Central Lodge
The property is in the Parish of Trottiscliffe. Historically, there was one building here that had been part of the stables of Trosley Towers. Over the years it had been converted to three cottages which were later used by the Army (OCTU). Planning consent was granted in 1984 for the demolition of the cottages and the erection of four 3 bed houses. Previous planning applications for a block of flats and for terraced housing had been rejected.
2 Central Lodge
The property is in the Parish of Trottiscliffe. Historically, there was one building here that had been part of the stables of Trosley Towers. Over the years it had been converted to three cottages which were later used by the Army (OCTU). Planning consent was granted in 1984 for the demolition of the cottages and the erection of four 3 bed houses. Previous planning applications for a block of flats and for terraced housing had been rejected.
3 Central Lodge
The property is in the Parish of Trottiscliffe. Historically, there was one building here that had been part of the stables of Trosley Towers. Over the years it had been converted to three cottages which were later used by the Army (OCTU). Planning consent was granted in 1984 for the demolition of the cottages and the erection of four 3 bed houses. Previous planning applications for a block of flats and for terraced housing had been rejected.
4 Central Lodge
The property is in the Parish of Trottiscliffe. Historically, there was one building here that had been part of the stables of Trosley Towers. Over the years it had been converted to three cottages which were later used by the Army (OCTU). Planning consent was granted in 1984 for the demolition of the cottages and the erection of four 3 bed houses. Previous planning applications for a block of flats and for terraced housing had been rejected.
Fairacre
The bungalow was built in the 1930s by George Downs on a 1 acre vacant site purchased from Sir Edgar Waterlow. The site had previously been part of Manor Farm. George lived lived there with his wife Florence until 1947. It was originally called Cosy Lawne and changed to its current name in the early 1950s. The external facade was altered in 1980.
Garden Lodge
The house was originally built as the Head Gardener’s Lodge for Trosley Towers, directly opposite the Towers’ southern entrance and near the walled garden. Sir Sydney Waterlow built it around 1887. At this point, the parish boundary crosses Hognore Lane to the south, placing the property within the parish of Stansted.
The Pot House
The property was formed in 1990/93 by converting a former potting shed associated with Trosley Towers. The property is in the centre-right of the aerial photograph above. At this point, the parish boundary runs a few metres north, placing the Pot House and the entire walled garden in the Parish of Wrotham.
South Lodge
The property was originally built as the lodge for the southern approach to Trosley Towers and marked the entrance to the driveway through the woods, past the walled garden. Sir Sydney Waterlow built it around 1887. During WW2, it was home to the local Home Guard. At this point, the parish boundary crosses the Gravesend Road about 50 metres to the northeast, placing the property within the parish of Wrotham.
MacMillan House
Built in the mid-1930s, the building is named after Margaret McMillan who dedicated her life to the developmental needs and educational progress of kindergarten and primary-age children; she had a profound effect on England’s education system including the establishment of Margaret McMillan House. The property is in the Parish of Wrotham.