Description

TQ6757
1156-0/2/128

WEST MALLING

ST LEONARDS STREET
St Leonard's Tower

GV
I

Former castle, Built by Gundulf Bishop of Rochester 1077-1108
as his fortified residence or castle. It is one of the best
examples extant of an Early Norman Keep. Built of stone with
tufa dressings, 32ft square at the base, 60ft high on its
north and east faces and 70 ft on the 2 other faces, the
difference due to the inclined surface of the rocky shelf on
which it is built. Corner buttresses. 3 stages. The 1st stage
has traces of herringbone-work. Central buttress to left side
elevation. 2nd stage has 5 round-headed arches on the east
side, only the central one open, the rest blank. 2nd stage has
2 round-headed arches to east side and one to south side. West
side has round-headed entrance to ground floor, round-headed
arch to first and second floors and loop lights to buttresses.
North side has 1 round-headed window.
Internal evidence to suggest there were upper and lower
floors, the lower only about 5ft above ground level.
(Buildings of England: Newman J: West Kent and the Weald:
580).

Listing NGR: TQ6759557082

External Links

• Historic England Listing
• St Leonards Tower at Wikipedia
• St Leonards Tower official website
• Wikidata Q24661828

External links are from the relevant listing authority and, where applicable, Wikidata. Wikidata IDs may be related buildings as well as this specific building. If you want to add or update a link, you will need to do so by editing the Wikidata entry.

Recommended Books

• 
  Lancashire: Manchester and the South-East (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)
• 
  Farrow & Ball How to Decorate: Transform your home with paint & paper
• 
  Dorset (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)
• 
  Old House Care and Repair
• 
  A Buying and Owning a Listed Building: A Brief Guide
• 
  Essex: Buildings of England Series (Buildings of England) (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)