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Ightham Mote, Kent

Looking at Ightham Mote I am reminded of Charles Kingsley's description of Harthover House in The Water Babies: "For Harthover had been built at ninety different times, and in nineteen different styles, and looked as if somebody had built a whole street of houses of every imaginable shape, ands then stirred them together with a spoon... Now the house looked like a real live house, that had a history and had grown as the world grew." (Chapter 1)

Ightham Mote is a rare moated medieval house dating from the fourteenth century, with numerous later additions. In many ways the later additions are as interesting as the original house, illustrating over five hundred years of architectural change and development. Ightham Mote shows how architecture moved from open halls towards the rooms that now divide up our houses and lives today.

The house is historically significant as the fifteenth century residence of the Wydville family. This powerful family rose to national prominence in 1464 when Elizabeth Wydville secretly married Edward IV. The Wydville's were an up and coming family who were causing jealously amongst the established nobility. Disapproval of Edward's choice of wife could even have caused the Earl of Warwick to plot King Edward's downfall. Elizabeth was probably the cause of a great deal of trouble for Edward, but romantic Elizabethan poet Sir Philip Sidney was to praise Edward for marrying for love. Elizabeth Wydville was mother of the famous Princes in the Tower. Her daughter, Elizabeth of York, would become the queen of Henry VII.

Ightham Mote is the National Trust's largest ever conservation project, a phased reconstruction project having started in 1988 and being completed in 2004. A range of educational services are offered at the property, including a regular programme of lectures and study days, and an educational room.

There is a restaurant and a shop, baby changing and feeding facilities. Dogs are allowed on leads in the grounds, which extend over two hundred acres.

Opening Times: House:

13th March to 31st October 11am - 5pm Thursday to Monday.

4th November to 19th December 11am - 3pm Thursday to Sunday only.

The garden opens at 10.30am from 13th March and at 11am from 4th November.

The grounds are open dawn till dusk. Shop and restaurant opening times vary. Check before you visit. Last admission is 30 minutes before closing.

Address: Ightham Mote, Mote Road, Ivy Hatch, Sevenoaks, Kent TN15 0NT

Directions: Ightham Mote is between Sevenoaks and Borough Green in Kent, off the A25. Click here for an interactive road and satellite map centred on Ightham Mote.

Access: Wheelchair access is possible to the ground floor with the help of ramps. There is a photograph album tour for areas that cannot be reached. Adapted toilet facilities are available. A map of accessible routes in the grounds is available.

Contact:

telephone: 01732 811145 (Infoline)

telephone: 01732 810378

e-mail: ighthammote@nationaltrust.org.uk

 

Walks in the grounds at Ightham Mote

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

For plants to complete your garden click on the link below.