Ightham Mote is a 14th century manor house set in a deep wooded valley.
The walls of the house rise sheer from a surrounding moat and half-timbered upper storey projects from the facade here and there.
A small hump-backed stone bridge crosses the moat to the old wooden door.
The house is built around three courtyards and despite many later alterations the house has kept its medieval appearance. This is mainly because additions were made using Kentish ragstone and local oak and were sympathetic to the ancient building.
In 1521 the manor house was purchased by the great courtier Sir Richard Clement. He was anxious to display his allegiance to the Tudor court and the oak bargeboards in the cobbled courtyard are carved with the Tudor rose of England, the fleur-de-lis of France and the pomegranate of Granada, the emblem of Catherine of Aragon.
The window of the Great Hall has the original 16th century stained glass showing the Tudor rose and the Aragon pomegranate.
Sir Richard also added the long half-timbered room on the first floor. This was originally intended to be a gallery but was later converted into a chapel. The arched wagon roof was painted with badges and emblems in vivid colours to imitate a tournament tent. There is also 16th century stained glass in the windows.
The drawing room across a landing from the chapel has a marked change of style and atmosphere. A magnificent Jacobean fireplace painted in black and gold fills one end of the room and the walls are hung with hand-painted 19th century Chinese wallpaper which gives the room an exotic feel.
All the furniture in the house has been added since the 1950s when the original contents of the Ightham Mote were sold.
The house is now in the care of the National Trust.
The north-west quarter of the house has been re-opened after a major conservation programme. An exhibition displays the traditional skills used.
Ightham Mote is surrounded by a beautiful garden with lakes and woodland.
The garden is laid out in a consciously old-fashioned pattern. This reflects the late-19th century's idea of the Middle Ages and the influence of William Morris and the Arts and Crafts movement.
Much of the garden's charm comes from the constant sound of running water.
The estate provides many country walks.
2008: House: 15 Mar-31 Oct: 11:00-17:00 Mon & Thur-Sun, 1 Nov-21 Dec: 11:00-15:00 Sat-Sun; Estate: all year Dawn-dusk Mon-Sun. Last entry 30mins before close.
Tel: 01732 811145 - Infoline Ightham Mote Website
