Talbot House, Sellindge, Kent, Building Survey

Oxford Archaeology (OA) was commissioned by Balfour Beatty Major Projects Ltd (BBMP) to undertake a programme of archaeological recording in advance of, and during the dismantling of the Grade II Listed Talbot House, Sellindge, Kent (NGR: 610736 137700,) for re-erection at Swan Lane, Sellindge (NGR: 611446 18950). The house has been dismantled in advance of the construction of the Channel Tunnel Rail Link (CTRL) in whose path it lies. Although the history and development of the house was known in outline from previous studies, the current study has allowed for a significant amount of detail to be added to this general understanding and as such can be seen to have been a worthwhile exercise. A number of features not previously identified or not fully understood from pre-dismantling inspections have been exposed during the dismantling process. The evolution of the house, from its origins in the mid- 15th century to the present day, has been broken down into a series of six principal phases.