Renovations of Cobdown House have revealed more of its hidden history. One of the more amazing discoveries was finding the original outside walkway under a concrete screed laid in 1950s when it was then covered with linoleum tiles, then more lino added over the following decades. You can read more about the original discovery HERE.
Since discovery, bit by bit, the screed was removed by Nick Summers, who spent several days painstakingly removing the concrete covering. The good news is that covering up has preserved all the tiles in near perfect condition.
It is believed these are the original outside tiles that were covered by a veranda around the house, leading to a large greenhouse. The downstairs events area sits on the greenhouse footprint.
View from the new Cobdown Events entrance. The original outside of the House shown on left with new entrance which has a veranda entrance onto the tiled walkway that led to the original greenhouse. No original plans or pictures of this side of the house now exist.
Close up of tiles. Cleaning will restore to a near perfect condition. Each shape is a separate tile.
Research suggests that these are late Victorian decorative ceramic floor tiles, and likely original to the house or only a few years later. The design, popular at the time was possibly dust-pressed with an inlaid line, rather than hand-painted, a manufacturing method that became widespread from the 1860s onwards.
Cobdown House will be a new venue for Kent business opening later this year.