Introduction
Knowlton Court has gardens and parkland associated with the Elizabethan principal building. The park extends to some 70 hectares, plus an extensive arable farm enterprise. The gardens cover around 1.5 hectares. The gardens were laid out in 1904 by Sir Reginald Blomfield. The grounds contain many smaller buildings which are now used as holiday 'lets', with The Lodge either built or re-designed by Lutyens in 1912. The main house is used as a wedding venue.
The large walled garden to the south has a dominating monkey- puzzle (Araucaria araucana) that Blomfield presumably left or planted as a focal feature to the axis up the steps from the main garden. The walled garden has been divided into two. One half is grassed while the other is used to grow vegetables, including more unusual varieties. As far as possible, these are grown organically.
Blomfield probably also planted the fine approach lime avenue that runs north-west of the house from a circular forecourt to line up on the distant Chillenden windmill. Many of the limes fell in the 1987 storm but have been winched upright and pollarded in the hope of recovery. The Dower House to the east of the lime avenue is an attractive Flemish gabled 17th century building. The lodge at the end of the avenue is by Sir E Lutyens (1912). According to Newman, Lutyens was also asked to design a first plan of the drawing room in the main house in the same year.
- Visitor Access, Directions & Contacts
Telephone
01304 842402Website
https://www.knowlton.ukDirections
The site is in extreme east Kent. It is 2 miles west of Eastry, 6 miles west of Deal.
Owners
Mrs O Fox-Pitt
Other Websites
- History
Knowlton Court is a secluded, restored Elizabethan house standing in its own park and grounds, with a fine approach avenue. It represents a major contribution to the heritage character of this part of east Kent, together with Goodnestone, Fredville and Waldershare.
The original house was red brick and essentially Elizabethan, previous owners including the P'Aeth family, the Cloudesley and Peytons (see the magnificent tombs in the nearby church), and the Langley family, who also owned much of this part of Kent.
Period
Early 20th Century (1901-1932)
- Associated People
- Features & Designations
Designations
The National Heritage List for England: Listed Building
- Grade: I
Features
- House (featured building)
- Earliest Date:
- Latest Date:
- Garden Terrace
- Walk
- Description: Raised walks.
- Hedge
- Description: Battlemented yew hedges.
- Steps
- Gate
- Description: Large wrought iron gates.
- Specimen Tree
- Description: The large walled garden to the south has a dominating monkey- puzzle.
- Tree Avenue
- Description: Blomfield probably also planted the fine approach lime avenue that runs north-west of the house from a circular forecourt to line up on the distant Chillenden windmill.
- Gate Lodge
- Description: The lodge at the end of the avenue is by Sir E Lutyens.
- Earliest Date:
- Latest Date:
- Key Information
Type
Park
Purpose
Ornamental
Principal Building
Commercial
Period
Early 20th Century (1901-1932)
Survival
Extant
Hectares
71.5
Open to the public
Yes
Civil Parish
Goodnestone
- References
References
- Kent County Council Planning Department {The Kent Gardens Compendium} (Canterbury: Kent County Council, 1996) 101 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
- Oswald, Arthur {Country Houses of Kent} (London: Country Life, 1933) Country Houses of Kent