Debbie Eales takes a look at an intriguing Grade II* listed former concert hall in Tenterden designed by Pugin and on the market for £850,000.

Pugins Hall is a fascinating property, reputedly designed by the famous 19th century architect from whom it takes its name, or perhaps by his son.

Built in 1850, as an addition to the Grade II* listed Finchden Manor, it is thought the hall was constructed for the Lady of the Manor to conduct opera recitals.

For a time, until the 1970s, Finchden Manor was a school for maladjusted boys which was run by the pioneering headmaster GA Lyward.

The property was then bought by Martin Miller, author of the Antiques Price Guide, who divided the property into three parts, the middle section being Pugins Hall.

Pugins Hall is approached via doors set in an impressive double height, five-sided, leaded light, bay window.

This dramatic entrance provides an exceptionally bright and generous hall.

Double doors lead to further reception rooms either side and there is a cloakroom. The drawing room has original shutters and there is a fireplace with a Bethersden marble surround.

Across the hall, the sitting room is another exceptionally spacious room with fitted book shelves either side of the fireplace.

Beyond this is the kitchen, which is fitted with a range of units beneath composite granite work surfaces arranged round a central breakfast bar. From the kitchen a secondary staircase leads to the first floor. From the hall, stairs rise to a galleried landing, which has the hall’s original panelled ceiling with shield motifs depicting local families’ coats of arms.

Internal windows with carved gargoyles would once have looked down from a viewing gallery which now forms the spacious master bedroom and en suite.

The guest bedroom is also en suite with a secret door in the wardrobe leading to a rear landing off which the family bathroom and two further bedrooms are located.

The principal access to this landing is via the staircase rising from the kitchen. From the main landing stairs rise to the second floor to a further galleried landing, where there are two interconnecting bedrooms and a bathroom.

Outside, a herringbone brick drive arrives at a parking area to the front and is flanked by areas of lawn bordered by hedges and brick walls.

On entering the drive there is a further parking area to the right.

The drive is owned by Pugins Hall and the neighbouring Old Brew House has a right of way across it.

Pugins Hall is on the edge of Tenterden, which has a great variety of independent shops as well as Waitrose and Tesco. There are well regarded schools in the area including the Homewood School. Communications in the area are good and with a mainline station at Headcorn (seven miles away).

Ashford is within nine miles and there are good rail connections to London and Europe.

Factfile

Pugins Hall is on the market with Strutt & Parker, price £850,000.

Contact the agent on 01227 451123.

Accommodation is made up of: reception hall, drawing room, sitting room, kitchen/breakfast room, cloakroom, master bedroom with en suite bathroom, guest bedroom with en suite, four further bedrooms (one with en suite), family bathroom, shower room, garden, parking and about half an acre of grounds.

Gothic style’s great guardian

Augustus Pugin (1812 – 1852) was an English architect and designer, best remembered for his work on churches and on the Houses of Parliament.

Pugin became an advocate of Gothic architecture, which he believed to be the true Christian form of architecture. After a fire at the Palace of Westminster in 1834, Pugin was employed by Sir Charles Barry to work on the new Parliament buildings in London.

In 1844 Pugin built a home for himself in Ramsgate, overlooking the sea. It was from the library of this house, The Grange, that Pugin did most of his work.

He died suddenly after a mental collapse.

His sons, E.W. Pugin and Peter Paul Pugin, continued their father’s architectural firm as Pugin and Pugin.