Leybourne, Kent

Sum awarded: £6,500

Leybourne Castle is a hybrid: the current structure consists of a 1930s house built around a medieval core. The standout feature is the 13th or 14th century gatehouse which, though it has undergone some alterations over the intervening centuries, is a largely intact medieval structure.

The gatehouse is an important example of twin-towered structure but has not been surveyed with modern methods. It was last recorded in 1927, but the drawings are flawed. Led by Neil Ludlow, this project will help us understand the medieval structure. Using laser scanning and photography will allow the team to produce accurate plans of the gatehouse and examine it in detail.