Kent Historic Houses

Belmont

Charming 18th century house set in  delightful grounds. Belmont contains beautiful furniture, a wonderful collection of clocks and watches and a fine collection of 19th century paintings of Trinidad by Michel Cazabon. The visitor will also’ see. many mementos of the family’s connections with India and the Raj.

Belmont Park, Throwley,  ME13 0HH Tel:01795 890202  Email

Chartwell 

The family home for over forty years of Sir Winston Churchill offers something for everyone to enjoy. The house is full of memories of both his personal and his political life, and the beautiful garden has many features created by Sir Winston and Lady Churchill. There are magnificent views on all sides captured in paintings by Churchill which are on display in the house and studio. Beyond the estate a beautiful way-marked walk leads to nearby Emmetts Garden, with vistas of the Weald of Kent from its highest point.

Mapleton Road, Westerham, TN16 1PS Tel: 01732 866368   Email

Finchcocks

A beautiful Georgian manor set in the heart of the Kent countryside. It is home to the Richard Burnett collection of historical keyboard instruments - more than a hundred instruments are housed here, many in full playing condition. With its high ceilings and wood panelling, Finchcocks makes an ideal venue for chamber concerts and recordings and plays host to many musical events. In addition, Finchcocks is an unusual and charming venue for co events and also has a license for civil marriage ceremonies.

Goudhurst, TN17 1HH  Tel: 01580 211702 Email

Hall Place & Gardens 

Built for lord Mayor of London Sir John Champneys during the reign of King Henry VIII in 1537, Hall Place and its award winning gardens now play host to exhibitions and eVents throughout the year. It has a magnificent panelled Tudor great hall and minstrals gallery, views over the finest topiary lawns in London, herb garden, italianate garden, and inspirational herbaceous borders. The former walled garden contains garden displays and a sub-tropical house and plant centre.

Bourne Road, Bexley, DA5 1PQ  Tel: 01322 526574   Email

Ightham Mote 

Discover the secrets of this superb moated medieval manor house dating from 1330. Explore the Great Hall, Tudor chapel and Victorian billiard room and then enjoy the peace of the extensive garden, estate and woodland walks which nestle in this secluded Kentish valley. Varied events programme throughout the year. Regular free introductory talks & garden tours.

Ivy Hatch, Sevenoaks, TN15 0NT Tel: 01732 810378   Email

Knole 

Tour 13 magnificent state rooms in one of the great treasure houses of England - a ’calendar’ house dating from the 15 th century. Find the treasures of kings and queens. Exquisite silver furniture, fragile tapestries, rare carpets and other unique furniture including the first ’Knole’ settee, state beds and even an early royal loo! Enjoy the extensive deer park throughout the year, courtesy of Lord Sackville.

Sevenoaks,TN15 0RP  Tel:  01732 462100   Email

Penshurst Place & Gardens 

Magnificent ancestral home of Viscount De Elsie set amidst tranquil Tudor Gardens and Parkland. Mediaeval Barons Hall, with 60 ft. high chestnut beamed roof. State Rooms containing fine collections of furniture, tapestries, portraits and armour. Venture Playground, Toy Museum, Woodland Trail, Tea Room, Plant Centre and Shop.

Penshurst, TN11 8DG  Tel: 01892 870307   Email

Sissinghurst Castle & Garden 

The 20th century creation of two English aristocrats, Harold Nicolson and Vita Sackville-West. The garden is made in the ruins of a large Elizabethan houseset in unspoilt Wealden countryside, and has been a major influence on late 20th and early 21 st century garden design. For secluded picnics, you can take a walk through the ancient Wealden woodland and picnic next to one of the lakes.

Near Cranbrook, TN17 2AB Tel: 01580 710701  Email

Squerryes Court Manor House & Gardens

A Beautiful Manor House (1681) set in lovely garden.  Privately owned and lived in by same family since 1731 , The rooms contain paintings, furniture, tapestries & porcelain collected before 1780 . Landscaped garden with lake, borders and formal garden

Westerham, TN16 1SJ Tel: 01959 562 345   Email