Situated on low-lying land in the Stour Valley less than 2 miles SW of Canterbury amongst particularly lush Kentish farmland, the flint and ragstone manor house was notable for its early use of brick diapering. The 15th c. house, probably built on a courtyard plan, featured semi-circular towers and was surrounded by a moat. The great hall apparently had a chestnut hammerbeam roof and faced the gate.

Part of Tonford Manor is now a modernized 18th c. red brick residence with a tiled roof, incorporating the external wall with sections of the 15th c. semi-fortified manor house on the W side. The great kitchen and scullery remain; 3 trusses of the hall's hammerbeam roof can still be seen at the attic level above. 2 of the 4 extant 15th c. turrets extend beyond the house on the W side and the Tudor gateway stands in the garden.