MRP: Whorne's Place, Cuxton, Kent

Whorne's Place, Cuxton, Kent

Editorial history

02/12/11, CSG: Resized headings

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Images

Whornes Place, plan, 1783

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Whorne's Place, river view, 1783

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Whorne's Place, front view, 1783

Late Eighteenth Century description

"It was pleasantly situated on the western bank of the Medway, commanding a view of the downs above Woldham on the opposite shore; and the meanders of that beautiful river down to the city of Rochester, and upward to Halling, Burham, &c. on each side....it would seem that while Whorne’s Place was in the possession of this family [Leveson], they bestowed much attention on it, by enlarging it and making great improvements, as appeared by the arms of Leveson, quartered with three other coats hereafter mentioned, in a very handsome compartment over the west or back-door. I must confess, that as to the building itself, I saw no part except the large bow window towards the river, which could have been of Whorne’s erection; and it may be observed in plate VII. That it breaks the regularity of the front. And I conceive that, on the re-erection or improvement of this mansion by the Levesons, this window being very curious, they suffered it to remain without designing their new work in any manner to suit it, the room which it lighted being little more than the window itself. A flight of stairs led from the river to a terrace walled in front; and on the south side of the house were large gardens inclosed with brick walls, which produced a fine echo on the river, when opposite. On the north side of the house stood the magnificent stables, built with brick, in length 88 feet, in width 25 feet, with two fine towers, and pilasters on each side the door-way. The whole front was enriched with a profusion of work, and executed with excellent symmetry. The pediment over the door was ornamented with handsome stone mouldings and dental cornice, and three shields of arms....Sir John Leveson, of Whorne’s place, in Cookstone, married Margaret daughter of Sir Roger Manwood, knt.,...[writing of subsequent owner Sir John Marsham] I have been told, and from good authority, that his fine library was in this building, in the apartments raised on the north-east end of it, and another floor over them, with stair-cases on the outside to each floor. A pretty extraordinary circumstance, that no inconveniences from the feeding, &c. of horses under the study should be apprehended. But the height and other reasons might be more regarded. There were, I think, four rooms above on each floor; but of little use for many years....” The writer notes that only tenants and labouring people had for many years dwelt there, with the proprietor residing in Maidstone, and that the house was pulled down in 1782., leaving only the granary and the barn, the granary to be converted into a farm house and the sight of the old seat itself into meadows etc."

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Possible secondary sources

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Images

Whorne's place, river view, pre 1783
Whorne's place, front view, pre 1783

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Image credits

Thorpe, John, Bibliotheca topographica Britannica, No. VI, Part II. Containing Mr. Thorpe's Illustration of several antiquities in Kent, which have hitherto remained undescribed (?London, 1783), p. 32, and betw. p. 32 & p. 33. Images and book in which they were published are both out of copyright

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