Bat and Ball Station

S Williams Architects was commissioned by Sevenoaks Town Council as their RIBA Client adviser to assist with the Bat and Ball station project in Sevenoaks.

Bat and Ball station is a Grade II listed building, built in the latter part of the 19th Century and although still used as a working station, the building has been derelict for the past 25 years. It was the first terminus in Sevenoaks and opened in 1862. The building is representative of other Victorian station buildings from that period, with its distinctive banding, use of terracotta, London stock brick and canopy incorporation.

STC commissioned Theis and Khan to undertake the restoration and refurbishment of the building to make it available for community use and to help revitalise a much loved building in Sevenoaks.  It also formed part of a wider masterplan, contributing to the regeneration of the Bat and Ball area and gives the public full accessibility to the London bound platform for the first time.

The team worked closely with South Eastern and Network Rail to secure the various permissions and agree on the detail and extent of the works. STC lease the building from the Rail network for a peppercorn rent. 

STC also applied for Heritage Lottery funding and were successful in securing money for the project. Working closely with the local heritage officer, the team retained all the original and important features and historic fabric and fittings of the building. These include elaborate architrave panels over the doors, ticket windows, counters and timber panelling on the walls.

The new centre boasts a ticket hall and luggage room that function as community spaces, a new cafe and associated facilities.

Bat and Ball station was shortlisted for the  RIBA  South East Regional awards in 2019