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The Leybourne Grange estate comprised of twenty seven separate 1930s villas, housing a total of 1,200 patients.
There were kitchens, school, laundry and boiler house - some of which we’d already found. But it
was the Grade II listed Manor House (which later became the Administration Block) which interested everyone;
and it looked like we were finally on the right track.
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This superb house comprised part of the walled garden. Its decoration was clearly Victorian; two-coloured
brickwork, arched windows dressed with stone; large gables. Even though it was probably quite a lowly
house (perhaps a lodge, gate keeper or groundman’s cottage), it was in direct contrast to the institutionalised
1930s architecture we’d been familiar with.
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Now unloved and derelict, it had suffered far more than the mass produced, quick build of the rest of the
Grange. I hope it’s listed and will be restored.
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The clock tower I’d spied from the M20 was now starting to beckon. Unable to get into the house, and
tempted by greater curiosities, we pushed on.
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