IMAGES TAKEN NEAR TO
South Lane, MAIDSTONE, ME17 3BG

These six almshouses, Holdgate House, South Lane, were built in 1888 to replace the almshouses in High Street Image which became part of Sutton Valence School. Constructed of rubble stone with ashlar dressings under a tile roof. Holdgate House is now part of the school. Sutton Valence is a village 5¼ miles southeast of Maidstone and about 13 miles northwest of Ashford. The area was settled in the Iron Age and a Roman road passes through. Known as Sutton until the manor became the property of William de Valence, The village is home to a castle, now ruinous, built in the late 12th century and one of the oldest schools in England, founded in 1576 as a Free Grammar School.

The plaque in the centre below the coat of arms says 'IN 1568 WILLIAM LAMBE CITIZEN AND CLOTHWORKER OF LONDON FOUNDED AND ERECTED SIX ALMSHOUSES ADJOINING HIS GRAMMAR SCHOOL IN THIS VILLAGE. IN 1888 THE WORSHIPFUL COMPANY OF CLOTHWORKERS HIS TRUSTEES RE-ERECTED THEM ON THIS SITE.' The later date of 1888 appears above the coat of arms.

These are also on High Street on the other side.

The former Central Stores, nearest the camera, and Sutton Dene, in High Street, were built in the 16th century as one house, now a house and a shop (although with the closure of the shop it may well revert to being a dwelling). Timber framed, refronted in brick in the 19th century when the shopfront was added, tile hung first floor, all under a tile roof. Listed, grade II, with details at: https://historicengland.org.uk/listing/the-list/list-entry/1367142 Sutton Valence is a village 5¼ miles southeast of Maidstone and about 13 miles northwest of Ashford. The area was settled in the Iron Age and a Roman road passes through. Known as Sutton until the manor became the property of William de Valence, The village is home to a castle, now ruinous, built in the late 12th century and one of the oldest schools in England, founded in 1576 as a Free Grammar School.

The Olde Post House, High Street, was built in the late 16th or early 17th century and refronted in the late 18th or early 19th century. Timber framed, the ground floor clad in brick, the first floor tile hung, all under a tile roof. At one time the post office, more recently tearooms. Listed, grade II, with details at: https://historicengland.org.uk/listing/the-list/list-entry/1344303 Sutton Valence is a village 5¼ miles southeast of Maidstone and about 13 miles northwest of Ashford. The area was settled in the Iron Age and a Roman road passes through. Known as Sutton until the manor became the property of William de Valence, The village is home to a castle, now ruinous, built in the late 12th century and one of the oldest schools in England, founded in 1576 as a Free Grammar School.

Sutton Valence grew up beside the Maidstone to Tenterden and Winchelsea road on the steep slope of the Greensand Ridge, following the ridge and not the road. As a result there are fine views over the Weald of Kent from many places in the village. Simon de Montfort, Earl of Leicester at one time owned the nearby castle - see http://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/3679905 De Montfort led the baronial rebellion against Henry III and was killed at the Battle of Evesham in 1265, after which his estates were confiscated by the Crown. Henry III then conferred the castle on his half-brother William de Valence as a reward for his support during the rebellion, and the village of Sutton, or 'South Town, became known as Sutton Valence.

The building's wall nearest to the camera has been smartened up since I last photographed this view in 1969 see http://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/1708599

Sutton Valence grew up beside the Maidstone to Tenterden and Winchelsea road on the steep slope of the Greensand Ridge, following the ridge and not the road. As a result there are fine views over the Weald of Kent from many places in the village. Simon de Montfort, Earl of Leicester at one time owned the nearby castle - see http://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/3679905 De Montfort led the baronial rebellion against Henry III and was killed at the Battle of Evesham in 1265, after which his estates were confiscated by the Crown. Henry III then conferred the castle on his half-brother William de Valence as a reward for his support during the rebellion, and the village of Sutton, or 'South Town, became known as Sutton Valence.

Not much to suggest a former use.