Well done MartinR - You have the correct name for the property. Over to you ...
The Cloth Hall, Water Lane, Smarden.
Smarden was renowned as a weaving community in medieval times. As a Cloth Hall, the building would once have contained trading stalls, particularly for the sale of cloth and fine silks but also leather, salt, and more exotic imports such as spices. The River Beult flows at the end of the rear garden.
Hartnup House (pictured below) is next door.
History Dating in part from the 15th century, Hartnup House is an enchanting detached property of architectural interest and historic note and designated a Grade II* listing. In 1671 the south east wing was added by Matthew Hartnup, who was understood to have been the village apothecary and whose name is inscribed along with the date on the bressumer oversail. On either side are two single petal roses of the houses of York and Lancaster and two carved rhinoceros, which had strong medical associations throughout Europe by the 17th century. Indeed, The London Society of Apothecaries featured German artist Albrecht Dürer’s rhinoceros on its crest as early as 1617 and it was believed that vessels carved from rhino horn had the ability to detect poisons. Hartnup House and the beautifully landscaped garden with the medieval church of St Michael the Archangel as a backdrop, has been in the same ownership for almost 40 years and has been sympathetically and lovingly preserved by the present owners.
