Lee House

The original Lee Priory near Littlebourne in Kent was a vast mansion in the Strawberry Hill Gothic style by Wyatt, later substantially extended and remodelled c.1865 by George Gilbert Scott in his own distinctive version of Gothic Revival. It is from the era of this remodelling of the estate by Scott that the present Grade II listed Lee House dates and has in fact outlived the mansion which was demolished in 1953. 

Originally forming a part of the larger outbuildings to Lee Priory, the present house expresses GG Scott’s style more clearly working here as he was without the constraints of pre-existing fabric.

Lovely features such as the diapered brickwork, slate roof and stone mullion windows with metal casements are all very distinctive of the prolific Scott. It was these features that our clients love and they wished to have some later unsympathetic alterations to be removed so the building could be revealed in all its glory. The works included a full refurbishment, fabric and masonry repairs including works to remedy earlier inappropriate repairs in cement to the traditional solid wall construction.

Some modest internal changes allowed the flow of spaces to improve revealing historic features and making better use of the upper floors including top light from a new glazed lantern. The project also included new services throughout with the introduction of underfloor heating.

This renovation project featured in the October 2016 issue of Conservation News.