Introduction
The principal building was constructed between 1793 and 1799 and demolished in 1926. Only the gatehouse and Eastwell towers of the original building remain, with a new house constructed on the site between 1926 and 1928 by Sir John Pennefather. The house is now a hotel.
To the front of the house is a somewhat bleak courtyard car park with a few stone tubs as ornaments. The formal gardens at the back of the house have recently been re-modelled and the current gardeners are endeavouring to improve the rather scant ornamental planting and bedding material.
A stone balustraded veranda leads down from the house to a terrace with herbaceous plants and roses. The central stairway then leads to a circular pool with central ornate fountain incorporating dolphins within a scallop shell. Beyond is a grassed area enlivened with yew pillars and ending with views over the parkland beyond.
At the side of the house is a croquet lawn, a sunken rose garden and various formal bedding areas. A summer house has been renovated and re-roofed (1987) and an ornamental pool was drained in July 1988 for re-proofing. Twelve trees were lost within the formal gardens in the 1987 storm including Scots pine, oak and copper beech. The gardens have a grandiose air which would be further much improved by more luxuriant planting of herbaceous/shrubbery plants.
- Visitor Access, Directions & Contacts
Telephone
01233 213000Directions
The site is north-west of Boughton Lees; north Kennington.
Owners
Eastwell Manor Limited
Other Websites
- History
The Victorian house was demolished in the 1920s and the present Gothic style house built between 1926 and 1928 for Sir John Pennefather. There is an impressive neo-Jacobean Gatehouse built around 1843 in flint and stone.
Period
Victorian (1837-1901)
- Features & Designations
Features
- Hotel (featured building)
- Description: The present Gothic style house was built for Sir John Pennefather.
- Earliest Date:
- Latest Date:
- Garden Terrace
- Description: A stone balustraded verandah leads down from the house to a terrace with herbaceous plants and roses.
- Pool
- Description: The central stairway then leads to a circular pool with central ornate fountain incorporating dolphins within a scallop shell.
- Fountain
- Description: The central stairway then leads to a circular pool with central ornate fountain incorporating dolphins within a scallop shell.
- Croquet Lawn
- Description: At the side of the house is a croquet lawn.
- Rose Garden
- Description: There is a sunken rose garden.
- Summerhouse
- Description: A summer house has been renovated and re-roofed (1987).
- Key Information
Type
Garden
Purpose
Ornamental
Principal Building
Commercial
Period
Victorian (1837-1901)
Survival
Part: standing remains
Hectares
26
Open to the public
Yes
Civil Parish
Eastwell
- References
References
- Kent County Council Planning Department {The Kent Gardens Compendium} (Canterbury: Kent County Council, 1996) 49 The Kent Gardens Compendium
- Newman, J. and Pevsner, N. {The Buildings of England: North East and East Kent} (Harmondsworth: Penguin, 1976) The Buildings of England: North East and East Kent