Built / Designed For: John Rowe
House & Family History: Kingston House was built for the wealthy wool merchant John Rowe, whose family had owned the Kingston Estate since 1502. The marble Entrance Hall has a floor of Ashburton Marble, which was laid by members of the Coulson family; the Coulsons later emigrated to America, where they were worked, together with other craftsmen, on the marble in the White House in Washington. The marquetry staircase is regarded by English Heritage as the finest example of its kind in Britain; it was created from six different woods, all indigenous to Britain; they are: English Oak, Brown Oak, Olive Ash, Yew Wood with the Sap, Sycamore, and Holly. Chimneypieces in the Saloon at Buxted Place, Surrey, are from Kingston House. In May 2011 the House and 10 acres were listed for sale for £2.75 million.
Title: Buildings of England: Sussex, The
Author: Pevsner, Nikolaus; Nairn, Ian
Year Published: 1973
Reference: pg. 466
Publisher: London: Penguin Books
ISBN: 0140710280
Book Type: Hardback
House Listed: Grade II*
Park Listed: Not Listed
Past Seat / Home of: John Rowe, 18th century. Rendell family, 1816 until 1936. Corfield family.
Current Ownership Type: Unknown
Primary Current Ownership Use: Holiday Rental
House Open to Public: By Appointment
Phone: 01803-762-235
Email: [email protected]
Website: http://www.kingston-estate.co.uk
Awards: Included in "England's Thousand Best Houses" by Simon Jenkins.
Historic Houses Member: No