Penshurst, near Tonbridge
Kent
England
Circa Date: 14th century w/15th, 16th & 19th century additions and alterations
Status: Partially Extant
The house is significantly smaller than it was at its height in the 16th century.
House Open to Public: Yes
Country House: Yes
The house from the 1880s publication "Morris's Views of Seats"
The house from an early 20th century postcard
The house from an early 20th century postcard
House & Family History: Penshurst was purchased from the de Penchester family by Sir John de Pulteney in 1338. Sir John was an enormously wealthy man who made his fortune as a merchant and banker and served four times as lord mayor of London. At his death in 1349 (from the plague) Sir John owned 13 manors in seven counties and a large London house. Penshurst passed through a number of families, including, most notably, the doomed Staffords, dukes of Buckingham. The 3rd Duke entertained King Henry VIII at Penshurst at great cost in 1519. In 1521 the duke was tried for treason, beheaded, his honors forfeited, and his properties seized by the crown. In 1552 King Edward VI settled Penshurst upon Sir William Sidney; it remains in the ownership of his descendants today. Penshurst is most notable for the Baron's Hall, the finest surviving 14th century great hall (completed 1341) in England, complete with its unique octagonal central hearth (a fireplace was never installed). This amazing room features a 60-foot-tall chestnut beamed ceiling, arcaded windows, and a 16th century minstrels' gallery. It's likely that stone from Penshurst Place was used for the construction of the nearby Mabledon Park in the early 19th century.
Comments: John Julius Norwich called the Baron's Hall "one of the grandest rooms in the world."
Garden & Outbuildings: The gardens were begun in the 14th century.
Architect: John Biagio Rebecca, Sr.
Date: 1818John Bernard (J.B.) Burke, published under the title of A Visitation of the Seats and Arms of the Noblemen and Gentlemen of Great Britain and Ireland, among other titles: Vol. I, p. 197, 1852.
John Preston (J.P.) Neale, published under the title of Views of the Seats of Noblemen and Gentlemen in England, Wales, Scotland, and Ireland, among other titles: 2.S. Vol. IV, 1828.
Country Life: I, 576, 1897. XXX, 844 plan, 894, 1911. XXXI, 102 [Table], 366 [Settee], 438 [Cabinet], 1912. LII, 757 [Foreign Furniture], 1922. CLI, 554 plan, 618, 994, 1090, 1972. Feb 2 & 9, 2011.
Title: Penshurst Place Guidebook
Author: NA
Year Published: 1987
Publisher: Derby: English Life Publications Ltd.
ISBN: 0851012639
Book Type: Light Softback
Title: Movie Locations: A Guide to Britain & Ireland
Author: Adams, Mark
Year Published: 2000
Publisher: London: Boxtree
ISBN: 0752271695
Book Type: Softback
Title: Biographical Dictionary of British Architects, 1600-1840, A - SOFTBACK
Author: Colvin, Howard
Year Published: 1995
Publisher: New Haven: Yale University Press
ISBN: 0300072074
Book Type: Softback
House Listed: Grade I
Park Listed: Grade I
Current Seat / Home of: Philip John Algernon Sidney, 2nd Viscount De L'Isle; Sidney family here since 1552.
Past Seat / Home of: de Penchester family, until 1338. Sir John de Pulteney, 1338-49. Henry Stafford, 2nd Duke of Buckingham, 15th century; Stafford family here from 1447 until 1521.
Current Ownership Type: Individual / Family Trust
Primary Current Ownership Use: Private Home
House Open to Public: Yes
Phone: 01892-870-307
Fax: 01892-870-866
Email: [email protected]
Website: https://www.penshurstplace.com/
Historic Houses Member: No