Dartford Heritage Open Days 2009 - Buildings
Manor Gatehouse - Priory Road, Dartford
The
Manor Gatehouse was constructed in the 16th Century as part of a Manor
House for Henry VIII.
Anne of Cleves was given it as part of her divorce settlement by Henry, and lived there between 1553 and 1557.The building is currently used as a registry office and offices.
Ingress Abbey - Ingress Park, Greenhithe
Grade
II listed Ingress Abbey now set in the Ingress Park housing estate.The
Abbey has had a number of different owners. The old house was pulled
down in the 19th century to be replaced by a new structure constructed
of stone from old London Bridge.
The building was derelict from 1970s until 1990s when the housing developer was required to undertake repairs to bring it to its present state.
The entry hall has a cantilevered stone staircase with an oak screen around the first floor balcony.The hall ceiling is new to replicate the details found in existing building.The orangery was almost totally rebuilt and a new roof was designed to reflect its new use as a refectory.
Acacia Hall - High Street, Dartford
A classical Grade II listed mansion set within nine acres of landscaped gardens on the banks of the River Darent.
Orchard Theatre - Home Gardens, Dartford
An opportunity was had to enjoy a backstage tour of the Orchard Theatre, and to find out how plays, musicals and concerts all happen. From the orchestra pit to the star dressing room, a chance to experience life in a working theatre.
GlaxoSmithKline Museum - Temple Hill, Dartford
As
GlaxoSmithKline's site in Dartford celebrates its 120th Anniversary,
people took the opportunity to visit the museum which contains a collection
of historic arte-facts and photographs. The site has been home to pharmaceutical
manufacturing since 1889 when Burroughs Wellcome and Company was first
established by Silas Burroughs and Sir Henry Wellcome on the site of
a disused paper mill.
