Built / Designed For: John Harle

House & Family History: Built in the early 18th century by Captain John Harle, Rainham is a grand Queen Anne house that was a center for local community life in what used to be this part of Essex (Captain Harle also picked this spot for his new house so he could watch his ships moored at the quayside from the windows). Rainham was given to the National Trust in 1949, but, for the next 70 years it was let to tenants as a private house. After spending two years and £2.5 million, Rainham was opened to the public as a visitor attraction by the National Trust in 2015.

Garden & Outbuildings: A chunk of the grounds were sold for railroad expansion, the tracks of which cover part of the former Rainham estate today.

Country Life: XLVII, 760 plan, 1920.

House Listed: Grade II*

Park Listed: Not Listed

Past Seat / Home of: John Harle, 18th century.

Current Ownership Type: The National Trust

Primary Current Ownership Use: Visitor Attraction

House Open to Public: Yes

Phone: 01708-525-579

Email: [email protected]

Website: https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk

Historic Houses Member: No