Godmersham Park, Courtyards, Walled Gardens and Gateways

Details

TR 05 SE GODMERSHAM GODMERSHAM PARK

4/24 Godmersham Park, Courtyards, walled 13.10.52 gardens and gateways

I

House. 1732 for Thomas Brodnax-May-Knight, wings added c. 1780, south front remodelled 1852, and c. 1935 by Walter Sarel. Red brick and ashlar dressings and slate roof. North front: painted in C19, the bricks were turned round to expose unpainted surface c. 1935. 2 storeys and attic on ashlar plinth, with discontinuous plat band, modillion eaves cornice, parapet bearing urns, and hipped roof, with 2 projecting hipped wings, 5 pedimented dormers, and 4 stacks regularly ranged left to right. Regular fenestra- tion in 2-3-2 rhythm, all windows C20 glazing bar sashes. Recessed hall of 3 windows, square sashes to first floor, keyed oeil-de- boeuf mezzainine windows and 2 sash windows with cornice hoods on consoles on ground floor,flanking central double doors of 3 fielded panels each, with semi-circular fanlight and moulded arched surrounds. Attached Ionic columns support pediment above. Two projecting wings beyond of 2 windows, those on ground floor with pediments over. Flanking this main block are corridor wings, stepped down and recessed, of 1 window to each floor, that on ground floor with "Gibbs surround". Beyond, low wings of 2 storeys on plinth with plat band and hipped roof with 5 windows and gauged heads to each floor. South front: originally plainer than north front, with bayed ends to projecting wings attic and pedimented portico, now of 2 storeys and garret and 4 stacks with ashlar plinth, plat band, cornice and balustraded parapet. Main block of recessed centre and projecting wings, 7 windows to each floor, the central recessed area (the Saloon) with French windows flanking blocked doorway with broken pediment enclosing cartouche supported on Ionic pilasters. The entrance is now by French doors in the left hand corridor wing. The wing to left now an orangery with 3 full height glazing-bar arched and keyed windows flanked by Doric pilasters. The wing to right has similar plinth, plat band, cornice and parapet with urns, but has 5 glazing bar sash windows to each floor. This front is as rebuilt c 1935. Interior: 2 original interiors of c. 1732 survive; the entrance hall, of 1 storey only the mezzanine oeil-de-boeuf windows echoed by medallions in the deep frieze, a fire place with pedimented plaster relief over to right faced to left by pedimented niche with shell-head alcove. Rectangular compartmented ceilings, the beams with stucco fruit and flowers. The other original interior is the drawing room with, plaster work of musical instruments, fruit and flowers, and framed mirrors, all after the style of William Kent. (C. Hussey, C.L. Feb. 23. 1945, 334). All other interiors by Walter Sarel c. 1935, using many genuine C18 features brought in from various other places. (Sevenoaks, London, Bath). The orangery decorated by Felix Harbord. Subsidiary features: post and iron chain attached to obelisks before main north door. Brick wall running left off north front, 7' high, stepped down at 3 stages, and terminating in gateway, with vermiculated and rusticated piers, supporting plinths bearing coade stone urns, signed Coade, London 1793. 2 similar urns at entrance to stable courtyard beyond, and to right, large keyed arched gateway with pediment over to kitchen courtyard. Stable ranges (now offices in part) C18 with C20 additions, of 1 storey red brick, plain tile roof, irregular fenestration. West,the walled gardens, 3 in all, with C17 and C18 walls in English and Flemish (chequered) bonds, an average 10' high, with round-arched doors, extending in 3 court- yards c. 150 yards north-south and c. 30 yards east-west, the most southerly a Yew tree garden laid out by Norah Lindsay. The south front and west court fronted with raised stone flag pavement, the west court with lily pond, with wall-water spout, balustraded courtyard, and flights of steps, with full size statue of a stag, and large urn in niche on side of house. Statuary otherwised itemised separately. History: the house was owned from 1797 - 1852 by Edward Austen - Knight, brother of Jane Austen, a frequent and regular visitor, supposed to have written some of her works here, and to have used Godmersham and its denizens as prototype for Mansfield Park. See. C. Hussey, C.L. Feb 16. 1945, 288-91, Feb. 23. 1945, 332-5, Mar. 2. 1945, 376-9. B.O.E. Kent II, 333.

Listing NGR: TR0615251016

Legacy

The contents of this record have been generated from a legacy data system.

Legacy System number:

181548

Legacy System:

LBS

Sources

Books and journals
Newman, J, The Buildings of England: North East and East Kent, (1969), 333
Country Life in 16 February, (1945), 288-91
Country Life in 2 March, (1945), 376-9
Country Life in 23 February, (1945), 332-5

Other
Register of Parks and Gardens of Special Historic Interest in England, Part 24 Kent,

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