Guess the Place

[John Walker]

Yet another GTP I've learnt from.  I don't think I would have found that one.

[Stewie]

Yes it is indeed Temple Manor. Owned by English Heritage but run by Medway Council. The surviving building sits in glorious isolation on an Industrial estate. It is possible to park at the site when it is open, otherwise its a bit of a walk from Strood station. Downstairs it has a fine example of a vaulted stone ceiling supporting an earthen floor in the room above. The building was owned by the Knights Templars who acted as a modern day bank in that you could pay in at one venue and withdraw money elsewhere. Their original purpose was to guard pilgrims in the Holy land, hence the reference to 'escorted tours in foreign lands'.
Over to you Johnfilmer.

[johnfilmer]

Temple Manor, Knights Road, Stroud, fits the bill.

Interesting looking place, but where do you park to visit it?

[Stewie]

Forth Clue: After the organisation mentioned below (early exponents in international finance and credit and also involved in escorted tours of foreign lands), ceased to exist, the building passed back to the crown in the reign of Edward II. Edward III subsequently gifted it and the income from it was used to endow an order of Franciscan nuns.

[MartinR]

That sounds like Thomas Cook & Son, but where the connection to an area off the tourist trail yet near Rochester is I've no idea.

[Stewie]

I believe that the owners of the building were early exponents in international finance and credit and were also involved in escorted tours of foreign lands 🤓

[Stewie]

Getting warmer johnfilmer

[johnfilmer]

Rochester?

[Stewie]

Not Nettlestead Place JohnWalker. Third Clue: The building and surrounding estate was granted to a religious order by Henry II and may also have acted as a lodging house for travellers journeying between London and the continent.

[John Walker]

Nettlestead Place ?

[Stewie]

Second Clue: There is a river slightly further away than the railway line.

[Stewie]

First Clue, the place in question is a little bit off the tourism beaten path but is very close to a railway line.

[Stewie]

Not Chartwell House JohnWalker, I shall start the clues tonight

[John Walker]

Chartwell House?

[Stewie]

No not Faversham.