Request Access to

CMP Request Table
CMPLocationDescription

Search for the name, locality, period or a feature of a locality. You'll then be taken to a map showing results.

Torry Hill Park

Introduction

The gardens mainly date to the mid-19th century, including several walled gardens which are still in use. The site features a rose garden planted in the 1920s. Of the 930 hectares which comprise the total estate, 120 hectares form the parkland and 4 hectares the gardens.

The rose garden was made in the 1920s. It has been restored but remains practically identical to the original. The loggia built in 1930 also remains. In 1978 Waterers were commissioned to re-design and plant the walled garden area.

The walled courtyard directly to the south of the new house (where previously part of the Victorian mansion stood) was built and linked to the rose garden beyond (to the south) by a series of original steps. This forms a really good, fairly plain, foil to the house.

Beyond the rose garden, the first Victorian flower garden has been converted into an attractive walled garden. This consists of herbaceous borders surrounding a large lawn, with a formal pool. Along the north wall is a pergola and a ‘herb' terrace. The walls are a mixture of ages but mostly Victorian. These are four metres high, therefore the garden is well-sheltered. The original Victorian walled vegetable garden remains intact and in use.

The smaller walled garden beyond now houses a swimming pool and summer house. The house has a fine outlook to the north over its parkland. In clear weather, one can see beyond the Thames to Essex. A fine lime avenue was planted around 1970 to the south-east and was 10 metres high in the early-1990s. It has not suffered from storm damage, but there has been considerable loss in the park, with 120 major trees lost plus general woodland devastation.

This very large estate has been somewhat reduced in extent from former times, but the actual area of garden and formal grounds has remained unchanged since the time of their creation in the 1850s.

Visitor Access, Directions & Contacts

Telephone

01795 830245

Website

http://www.torryhill.co.uk

Directions

The site lies 11 miles north-east of Maidstone. It is 1? miles south of Milstead and 1? miles east of Frinsted village.

Owners

The Rt Hon R Leigh-Pemberton, Lord Lieutenant of Kent.

Torry Hill Park, ME9 0SP
History

The original largely Georgian house was demolished in 1850 and replaced by a Victorian building. Also at about this time, the 120 hectares of parkland were defined and planted with a mixture of tree species, mostly in clumps. Rhododendron and Corsican pine banks were planted to the west of the house. The drive was laid out and the walled kitchen gardens were created. An engine house, yard, stables and coach house were built. Also, an ingenious rainwater tank system was devised and installed under the lawn to the north of the house.

However, in 1937 the house was vacated and partly demolished, and after World War 2, during which the house was used by the army, the site was abandoned. In 1958, when the house was derelict, the next generation of the family demolished the ruin and recreated a copy of the original Georgian structure. However, the other Victorian features, including the built structures remain, forming an interesting layout.

Period

Victorian (1837-1901)

Features & Designations

Features

  • House (featured building)
  • Description: In 1958, when the house was derelict, the next generation of the family demolished the ruin and recreated a copy of the original Georgian structure.
  • Earliest Date:
  • Latest Date:
  • Drive
  • Earliest Date:
  • Latest Date:
  • Tree Feature
  • Description: Rhododendron and Corsican pine banks were planted to the west of the house.
  • Earliest Date:
  • Latest Date:
  • Kitchen Garden
  • Description: The walled kitchen gardens were created in 1850. The original Victorian walled vegetable garden remains intact and in use.
  • Earliest Date:
  • Latest Date:
  • Stable Block
  • Earliest Date:
  • Latest Date:
  • Garden Building
  • Description: Engine house.
  • Earliest Date:
  • Latest Date:
  • Garden Building
  • Description: Coach house.
  • Earliest Date:
  • Latest Date:
  • Structure
  • Description: An ingenious rainwater tank system was devised and installed under the lawn to the north of the house.
  • Earliest Date:
  • Latest Date:
  • Lawn
  • Rose Garden
  • Description: The rose garden has been restored but remains practically identical to the original.
  • Earliest Date:
  • Latest Date:
  • Loggia
  • Earliest Date:
  • Latest Date:
  • Herbaceous Border
  • Pool
  • Pergola
  • Description: Along the north wall is a pergola.
  • Garden Terrace
  • Description: Herb terrace.
  • Summerhouse
  • Tree Avenue
  • Description: A fine lime avenue was planted around 1970 to the south-east and was 10 metres high in the early-1990s.
  • Earliest Date:
  • Latest Date:
Key Information

Type

Garden

Purpose

Ornamental

Principal Building

Domestic / Residential

Period

Victorian (1837-1901)

Survival

Part: standing remains

Hectares

930

Open to the public

Yes

Civil Parish

Lenham

References

References

Related Documents
  • CLS 1/312/1

    Review of History and Restoration Management Plan (original copy unbound ) - Digital copy

    Colvin and Moggridge - 2003