Bockenden Grange

Image: © Nigel Mykura Taken: 6 Mar 2011

This relatively modern building is a few hundred metres from a moated site in the north east corner of the square which was the original site of Bockidene Grange and which is now occupied by an even more modern house. In 1928, the then current Lord Leigh sold off a lot of the Stoneleigh Estate. One of the farms sold was Bockenden Grange Farm. The Auctioneers catalogue listed Bockendon Grange as Lot No 35 and described it thus: "A Compact Mixed Farm, known as Bockendon Grange Farm, comprising an old-fashioned House, range of brick and tiled Buildings and closes of fertile, arable and sound pasture land, the whole extending to an area of 177 acres, 1 rod and 33 perches or thereabouts. The Residence is situate a convenient distance off the road, is in good repair, and contains the following accommodation:- Porch, tiled Entrance Hall, Drawing Room, 15ft 9in by 13ft, with fireplace and marble mantel, Breakfast Room, 15ft 3in by 10ft, Dining Room, 16ft 9in by 14ft, with ingle nook, China Pantry, Larder, excellent Dairy, Kitchen, with copper and sink, cellar. On the First Floor, approached by front and back Staircases, are Landing, five Bedrooms, Boxroom, and Bathroom. (Bath, lavatory basin, tank, fittings and partitions are claimed by the Tenant.) Covered Yard with Wash-house, with copper and sink, Pump and Closet. Well kept Gardens include Kitchen Garden, Pleasure Garden, with Lawn and Orchard. The Farm Buildings are conveniently placed and include:- Range of nine Duck Pens, two Calf Pens, Cowshed for six and Calf Pen, Loose Box with Loft over, Carthorse Stable for five with part loft over, Engine Shed, Cowshed for 13, two-bay open Feeding Shed and Yard, four pigstyes, Workmen's Bothy with two rooms over, two Loose Boxes, Calf Pen, Three-span Four-bay DUTCH BARN, three-bay lean-to Cart Shed, two-bay Wagon Hovel, Trap Shed and Rickyard. There is a Water Trough in the yard. Let to Mr Thomas Lea, together with other land, on an Annual Ladyday Tenancy, at an apportioned rent of £292 10s 0d per annum."

Images are licensed for reuse under creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0