England > Kent > Historic Houses

Historic Houses in Kent

These listings are for Stately homes. See also Historic buildings

Belmont House    An elegant 18th century house built by Samuel Wyatt in neo-classical style for Colonel John Montresor. The house later passed to General George Harris (later created Lord Harris). The 5th Lord Harris amassed a huge collection of historical clocks, which can be seen by visitors. Belmont Park, Throwley, Faversham, Kent, England, ME13 0HH Attraction Type: Historic House Location: 4.5 m S Faversham, off A251 Website: Belmont House Email: belmontadmin@btconnect.com Phone: 01795 890 202 Fax: 01795 890 042 Location map OS TQ986568 Heritage Rating:   ? Nearest attractions and accommodation     Nearest: hotels - cottages - Bed and Breakfasts

Boughton Monchelsea Place    A 16th century manor house with exquisite views of the Kent countryside. The interiors range from Tudor to Victorian, with primarily Victorian furnishings. Openings for special events and for pre-booked group tours. Boughton Monchelsea, Kent, England, ME17 4BU Attraction Type: Historic House Location: 4.5 m from Maidstone via A229 Website: Boughton Monchelsea Place Email: info@boughtonmonchelseaplace.co.uk Phone: 01622 743 120 Location map OS TQ771499 Heritage Rating:   ? Nearest attractions and accommodation     Nearest: hotels - cottages - Bed and Breakfasts

Chartwell    Home of Winston Churchill from 1922. Unremarkable exterior. The interior is full of Churchill memorabilia, from cigars to paintings to war correspondence. Mapleton Road, Westerham, Kent, England, TN16 1PS Attraction Type: Historic House Location: 2 m S Westerham, off B2026 Website: Chartwell Email: chartwell@nationaltrust.org.uk Phone: 01732 868 381 Fax: 01732 868 193 National Trust Location map OS TQ455 515 Heritage Rating:   ? Nearest attractions and accommodation     Nearest: hotels - cottages - Bed and Breakfasts

Chiddingstone Castle    A country house in the style of a mock castle, Chiddingstone Castle houses the eccentric collections of Denys Bower. Far Eastern and Egyptian artefacts share space with the handkerchief born by Charles I at his execution, among other oddities. Near Edenbridge, Maidstone, Kent, England, TN8 7AD Attraction Type: Historic House Location: off B2027 Website: Chiddingstone Castle Phone: 01892 870 347 Location map OS TQ498451 Heritage Rating:   ? Nearest attractions and accommodation     Nearest: hotels - cottages - Bed and Breakfasts

Chilham Castle   There has been a castle of some description at Chilham since the early 8th century, but of those early fortresses little is known. There was a stone-built castle here at the time of the Norman invasion, and an extensive medieval castle. Of the medieval buildings only the octagonal keep remains. The bulk of the castle we see today was created by Sir Dudley Digges in the early 17th century. Digges created a grand house in the Italian Renaissance style which was then fashionable. Chilham, Kent, England, CT4 8DB Attraction Type: Historic House Website: Chilham Castle Location map OS TR065535 Heritage Rating:   ? Nearest attractions and accommodation     Nearest: hotels - cottages - Bed and Breakfasts

Cobham Hall    A historic country house with roots as far back as the 12th century. Even earlier than that there was a substantial Roman villa here, but it ws in 1208 that the history of Cobham Hall as we know it really began. In that year Henry de Cobham, later the 1st Lord Cobham, is known to have inhabited an early manor house on the site. Cobham, Kent, England, DA12 3BL Attraction Type: Historic House Website: Cobham Hall Email: enquiries@cobhamhall.com Phone: 01474 823371 Historic Houses Association Location map OS TQ683689 Heritage Rating:   ? Nearest attractions and accommodation     Nearest: hotels - cottages - Bed and Breakfasts

Danson House    Danson House was built in 1766 by Sir Robert Taylor for Sir John Boyd, a wealthy merchant. It is one of the best examples of Palladian architecture in the country. Much of the interior was designed by William Chambers. The house has recently undergone extensive restoration. Danson Park, Bexleyheath, Kent, England, DA6 8HL Attraction Type: Historic House Location: on A2 at Danson interchange Website: Danson House Location map OS TQ476 751 Heritage Rating:   ? Nearest attractions and accommodation     Nearest: hotels - cottages - Bed and Breakfasts

Godinton House and Gardens    A lovely brick manor with roots dating back to the 14th century. Godinton was for centuries the home of the Toke family. Much of the present house owes its form to work undertaken by Captain Nicholas Toke beginning in 1627. The interior offers much of interest, from the medieval great hall with its hammerbeam roof to the 17th century great chamber with profuse Georgian panelling. Godinton Lane, Ashford, Kent, England, TN23 3BP Attraction Type: Historic House Location: off A20 between Ashford and Lenham Website: Godinton House and Gardens Email: info@godinton-house-gardens.co.uk Phone: 01233 620 773 Location map OS TQ980 438 Heritage Rating:   ? Nearest attractions and accommodation     Nearest: hotels - cottages - Bed and Breakfasts

Hall Place and Gardens    A lovely manor house built in 1537 for the Lord Mayor of London, Sir John Champneis. The interior boasts a very fine Tudor great hall with original panelling, overlooked by a minstrel's gallery. The house is now owned by Bexley Heritage Trust. Bourne Road, Bexley, Kent, England, DA5 1PQ Attraction Type: Historic House Location: on A2 Website: Hall Place and Gardens Phone: 01322 526 574 Location map OS TQ502 743 Heritage Rating:   ? Nearest attractions and accommodation     Nearest: hotels - cottages - Bed and Breakfasts

Ightham Mote   Ightham Mote is one of the best preserved, and certainly one of the most beautiful, moated manor houses in England. The house dates back to the 14th century. The name presents a challenge to linguists; Ightham may refer to an early settler of the region, named Ehta or Ohta. Mote may refer to the moat which surrounds the manor, or it may equally well be a derivative of 'moot', a gathering place. Ivy Hatch, Sevenoaks, Kent, England, TN15 0NT Attraction Type: Historic House Location: 6 miles east of Sevenoaks, off the A227 Website: Ightham Mote Email: ighthammote@nationaltrust.org.uk Phone: 01732 810 378 Fax: 01732 811 029 National Trust Location map - Photos of Ightham Mote OS TQ584 535 Heritage Highlight: The 15th century New Chapel, with its beautifully painted Tudor ceiling Heritage Rating:   ? Nearest attractions and accommodation     Nearest: hotels - cottages - Bed and Breakfasts

Knole    Approached through a long deerpark drive. Begun in late 15th century, the house was taken over by Henry VIII. Great hall with musician's gallery, four poster beds, painted staircases. Highly recommended. Sevenoaks, Kent, England, TN15 0RP Attraction Type: Historic House Location: off A225 Website: Knole Email: knole@nationaltrust.org.uk Phone: 01732 462 100 Fax: 01732 465 528 National Trust Location map OS TQ532 543 Heritage Rating:   ? Nearest attractions and accommodation     Nearest: hotels - cottages - Bed and Breakfasts

Lullingstone Castle    The Lullingstone estate was recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086, but the current house dates to 1497. It has been home to the Peche family since it was built. The house is set in 120 acres of parkland, and offers superb gardens, including the award-winning World Garden of Plants, with over 10,000 species of plants from across the globe. The huge Henry VII Gate House is one of the earliest brick gatehouses in England. The interiors are superb, with the great hall being perhaps the finest room. Eynsford, Kent, England, DA4 0JA Attraction Type: Historic House Location: 1 m S Eynsford on A225 Website: Lullingstone Castle Email: info@lullingstonecastle.co.uk Phone: 01322 862 114 Fax: 01322 862 115 Location map OS TQ529 646 Heritage Rating:   ? Nearest attractions and accommodation     Nearest: hotels - cottages - Bed and Breakfasts

Nurstead Court    History abounds at Nurstead Court. The manor dates back over 1000 years, though the oldest part of the current house is a relative youngster, built in 1320 by Stehan de Gravesend, Bishop of London. The great hall is one of the finest in England, rising 36 feet to the roof. A solar, or lord's bedchamber, lies above the great hall; this has acted as a bedchamber for an extraordinary 670 years! The original building was much remodelled in the Victorian period, with a wing added at right angles to the hall. A tower stands at one corner of the hall; this was built for defensive purposes but was later used as a chapel. It is now in ruins. Nurstead Church Lane, Meopham, Gravesend, Kent, England, DA13 9AD Attraction Type: Historic House Location: N Neopham just off A277 Website: Nurstead Court Email: info@nursteadcourt.co.uk Phone: 01474 812 121 Fax: 01474 815 133 Location map OS SC925753 Heritage Rating:   ? Nearest attractions and accommodation     Nearest: hotels - cottages - Bed and Breakfasts

Old Soar Manor   The solar block is all that remains of this 13th century knight's house. The house was built by the Culpeper (Culpepper) family, who were powerful landowners from Aylesford. They built Old Soar to be a combination prestigious dwelling house and defensible stronghold. It was never by any stretch a castle, but it was far more of a defensive structure than a simple hall house. It was also a testament to their influence and wealth. Plaxtol, Borough Green, Kent, England, TN15 0QX Attraction Type: Historic House Location: On a minor road off the A25. Very limited parking in a pull-by at the side of the road. Website: Old Soar Manor Email: oldsoarmanor@nationaltrust.org.uk Phone: 01732 810 378 National Trust Location map - Photos of Old Soar Manor OS TQ619 541 Heritage Highlight: This beautifully situated medieval manor boasts a vaulted solar with a rare crown-post collar-purlin roof. Heritage Rating:   ? Nearest attractions and accommodation     Nearest: hotels - cottages - Bed and Breakfasts

Penshurst Place    Formal gardens surround this seat of the powerful Sidney family, begun in 1340. Hall with central hearth, stone staircase, long gallery. Penshurst, Kent, England, TN11 8DG Attraction Type: Historic House Location: 3 m SW Tonbridge, on B2176 Website: Penshurst Place Email: enquiries@penshurstplace.com Phone: 01892 870 307 Fax: 01892 870 866 Location map OS TQ527 438 Heritage Rating:   ? Nearest attractions and accommodation     Nearest: hotels - cottages - Bed and Breakfasts

Riverhill Gardens    A hillside garden set below a historic manor house. The house has been the home of the Rogers family since 1840, and family members guide visitors around the garden (and the house for pre-booked groups). Sevenoaks, Kent, England, TN15 0RR Attraction Type: Historic House Website: Riverhill Gardens Email: info@riverhillgardens.co.uk Phone: 01732 452557 Historic Houses Association Location map OS TQ542520 Heritage Rating:   ? Nearest attractions and accommodation     Nearest: hotels - cottages - Bed and Breakfasts

Squerryes Court    William and Mary house in countryside setting. Extensive collection of furniture and porcelain of the 18th century. Westerham, Kent, England, TN16 1SJ Attraction Type: Historic House Location: off A25 or B269 Website: Squerryes Court Email: enquiries@squerryes.co.uk Phone: 01959 562 345 Fax: 01959 565 949 Location map OS TQ440 535 Heritage Rating:   ? Nearest attractions and accommodation     Nearest: hotels - cottages - Bed and Breakfasts

Stoneacre    Late 15th century half-timbered yeoman's house with great hall. Restored cottage garden. Otham, Maidstone, Kent, England, ME15 8RS Attraction Type: Historic House Location: off A20 Website: Stoneacre Email: stoneacre@nationaltrust.org.uk Phone: 01892 893 842 National Trust Location map OS TQ800 535 Heritage Rating:   ? Nearest attractions and accommodation     Nearest: hotels - cottages - Bed and Breakfasts

Whitsable Castle    Not so much a castle as a castellated manor house, Whitstable Castle dates to the last years of the 18th century. It was built by Charles Pearson, a successful London businessman and entrepreneur. In 1835 the manor was purchased by William Ellis, and it was he who transformed the earlier manor, adding a west wing and bell tower. The castle was eventually purchased by the Whitstable District Urban Council. It is now operated by a charity, the Whitstable Castle Trust, and used as a venue for concerts, weddings, and community activities. The Gate House , Tower Hill Kent, England, CT5 2BW Attraction Type: Historic House Website: Whitsable Castle Email: enquiries@whitstablecastle.co.uk Phone: 01227 281726 Location map OS TR114671 Heritage Rating:   ? Nearest attractions and accommodation     Nearest: hotels - cottages - Bed and Breakfasts