17th century home graced with socialites, teachers & laundrywomen…

My latest blog for Country Life has me writing about a lovely 17th century home in the seaside village of St Margaret’s at Cliffe in Kent. It has seen a lot of different characters in the house which made for a very interesting search through the history of the house.

Holly Lodge

The house has been traced back to the early 18th century, but architectural evidence suggests it may have first appeared in the 17th century. In the 1730s the Brett family rebuilt the house, but by 1750 it was recorded that the house reverted to the Lord of the Manor.

By the early 19th century Holly Lodge was bought by a gentleman farmer, Thomas Wood and his socialite wife, Maria. Maria is believed to have been central to village life with many parties in the village and up in London. Thomas and Maria Wood remained in the house until they passed away and in 1853 the house was acquired by another prominent local figure, school master, James Temple. Mr. James Temple was head master of the local school, so famed in the area that St Margaret’s at Cliffe was recongnised as an educational centre. Temple already owned a number of buildings and land around Holly Lodge, so it was a clear addition to the school grounds.

Holly Lodge bedroom

By the late 19th century the house had become the home of James Temple’s unmarried daughter, however by the early 20th century it had changed dramatically, becoming ‘The Holly Lodge Laundry’ run by Mrs Wickenden, a ‘High-Class Shirt & Collar dresser’.

Advertisement for Holly Lodge Laundry 1907

After World War I, St Margaret’s at Cliffe became a popular holiday resort, especially for celebrities and royals, with guests such as Ian Fleming and Noel Coward regular visitors.

St Margaret’s at Cliffe was greatly affected by World War II, being so close to the coast it was used to house Allied troops while also suffering regular attacks by the Luftwaffe.

Today, Holly Lodge has once again become a comfortable family home disguising a wealth of history behind its picturesque exterior.

For the full history – The history of Holly Lodge_St Margaret’s at Cliffe

For more property details visit – Chesterton Humberts