Welcome to the first in a series of blog posts where I will provide a brief overview of important, and often overlooked historic buildings in Kent. Having traveled widely across the county for many years, I hope to shed light on lesser-known sites and share my passion for historic buildings and insights into the fascinating history hidden in Kent’s towns, villages, and countryside.
Spencer Square
Spencer Square, located in the heart of Ramsgate, is an interesting area that dates back to the early 19th century. Developed during the Georgian and early Victorian periods, the square was originally built to accommodate the rising popularity of Ramsgate as a fashionable seaside resort.
The square is lined with terraced houses that once resided prominent visitors, including the artist Vincent van Gogh, who briefly lived in the area while working as a teacher. Spencer Square retains a unique atmosphere, with views of the sea.
Architectural Features of Spencer Square
Spencer Square is a good example of early Victorian and late Georgian urban design, laid out around a modest green at its centre with tennis courts and a cafe (appropriately named ‘Vincents Cafe’) The terraced houses encircling the square share several defining architectural features:
- Stock brickwork with painted stucco facades, particularly on the ground floors.
- Sash windows, typically six-over-six panes, often set in shallow reveals with simple stone lintels.
- Cast-iron railings along the steps and basement light wells.
- Panelled front doors with semi-circular fanlights.
- Modest cornices and stringcourses, adding a sense of proportion and rhythm to the terraces.
- Slate roofs with shared chimney stacks, typical of urban housing in coastal towns.
- Many of the houses were originally built as three stories over a basement, although some have since been subdivided or altered.
Despite later changes, the original layout and architectural coherence of the square remain largely intact, and several buildings, including Nos. 3–13, are listed for their historical and architectural interest. Similar buildings can be found elsewhere of course, but what makes Spencer Square unique is its setting and association with notable artists. It holds a high degree of historic and architectural interest.
References
Historic England – See list descriptions and recent publications relating to Ramsgate – https://historicengland.org.uk/whats-new/research/back-issues/researching-ramsgate/
All photos taken by and belong to Jeremy Fazzalaro
jfheritage.co.uk 