Blackhoath Cottages
Blackhoath Cottages were part of an area known variously as Black Heath or Black Hoath. The two cottages are situated between the railway line and the main road to Chiddingstone Causeway at the junction with the lane up to Cinder Hill. They were built before 1871 – as they appear on the 1871 ordnance survey map (see below) situated next to number ‘390’ on this map. At one point, Blackhoath formed part of Cinder Hill but was split from it when the railway was built in 1842.
It is believed they were built as gamekeepers’ accommodation for the D’Lisle estate. At the time they were two-up/two-down, brick and tile-hung timber construction.
In 1911 they were acquired by Samuel Hope Morley (later 1st Lord Hollanden) and held by him under a Building Lease which would expire on 25 December 1927. This is referred to in the Penshurst Sales Particulars, see next para. At the same time Samuel Hope Morley also acquired Price’s Farm and Leigh Park Farm from the Penshurst Estate.
Despite being held under a Building Lease by Samuel Hope Morley, the cottages were still owned by the Penshurst Estate and came up for sale when the Estate sold some of its outlying properties and land. In the Penshurst Sales Particulars (P. 26) they are Lot 30 (coloured green on the Map – numbers 491 and part 492). They are sold as a pair of cottages with gardens and woodland of about 1 acre 16 perches. At the time of the sale they are occupied by Mrs Healy and Mr John Gillett, and with gardens and woodland are held by the Rt Hon. Lord Hollenden under a Building Lease, expiring 25 December 1927. They are described as brick built and tiled cottages each containing: sitting room, kitchen and two bedrooms, bakehouse, washhouse, two coal stores, two WCs, with water from well in garden and drainage to cesspool. The Sales Particulars go on to say that the timber and iron-covered buildings belong either to the Lessee or to the Tenants, and are not included in the sale. The cottages occupied an area of 0.369 acres, whilst the woodland 0.729 acres.
Post-war they had kitchens and bathrooms added to the rear. In the 1970s they were sold and in the 1980s both cottages were renovated, extended and outbuildings added.
Below is a photograph of part of 1871 Ordnance Survey which shows Blackhoath Cottages at number 390 (with 391 being part of the woodland)
(John Stevens/Joyce Field: updated Feb 2025)
