GARLINGE

 I've not yet come across much of interest to me here - that is, except for this curious old gatehouse. It's well hidden, and a private residence, hence the only pictures had to be taken from the road-side. I would really love to be able to have a good look round it. It's called Dent-de-Lion (dandelion or lion's tooth).

The gatehouse dates back to the early 15th. century, and is Grade II* listed. The property is a private residence, so I can't get any closer - worst luck! It's the only remaining structure of a medieval fortified house, long since demolished, and the space it occupied now covered by housing. 

Each tower contains a newel staircase giving access to the roof.There's a carved stone shield over the carriage arch, representing the coat of arms of the Daundelyon family, for whom the gatehouse was built.

The builder of the fortification was John Dent De Lion (Daundelyon). He fortified his manor because of the threat of a Flemish invasion after 1435, which encouraged a new wave of fortifications on the south east coast.

It is recorded that the site was later used for more disreputable purposes as a base for Dent De Lion’s smuggling activities. In the 18th century the estate and castle was sold to Henry Fox, Lord Holland, and passed to his son Charles Fox.