Stoneacre, Kent

Stoneacre is a small National Trust property in Otham, near Maidstone, Kent in southern England.

The property is a half-timbered yeoman farmer's house dating from the 15th century, together with a small garden, orchard and meadows.

[3] Hasted's History of Kent mentions that during the reign of Edward II one John Ellys resided here.

[3] The steep slope and poor foundation led to problems with the north wing in the middle of the 16th century.

The central section has the main door and to its left the large hall window going from the foundation plinth to the eaves, the building is timber framed with rendered infilling.

A two-storey bay with jetty marks the end of the original hall; beyond is a brick-built lower room with a timber-framed upper floor.

Moving northwards there is the original two-storey jettied quarters, the double-height hall with its reconstructed west window.

[6] The hall itself is dominated by the roof, which is supported by a huge tie-beam carrying a crown post consisting of four engaged columns.

During Vallance's restoration work this was in turn replaced by a 15th-century fireplace from the George public house in Sittingbourne.

Stoneacre from the southeast showing the library and bedroom extension
The front door with view through the screens passage.