The mediaeval sections of the property were predominantly constructed around 1234, when Henry III procured the felling of five oak trees from Tonbridge Forest.

[1] Naturalist Abraham Hill established an orchard here in 1670, with apples and pears from Herefordshire and Devon that were used for making cider and perry.

[3] His excessive expenditure on the property may have been responsible for his bankruptcy in 1796, and subsequent term of imprisonment of five years.

The moat is bridged three times, including by a Grade II listed 19th century brick footbridge.

[1] Before the dissolution of the monasteries, the lawn to the north of the property was used as burial ground for the chapel, but thereafter as a midden.