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Stoneacre, Kent

The original house at Stoneacre in Otham, Kent was built by a yeoman, a well to do farmer, around 1480. Houses at this time were built as open halls, with no internal dividing walls. The original open hall can still be seen at Stoneacre today. Initially there would have been an open fire in the middle of the floor, with smoke venting through the eves. But chimneys were coming into fashion by the 1480s, and a fireplace and chimney were soon added, brought in apparently from another building.

Between 1920 and 1926 the old house was restored and extended by Aylmer Vallance, a friend of William Morris. He added wings on either side of the hall, designed to remain in keeping with the original building. Stoneacre today then is a rather fanciful image of the past. It reminds me of Great Dixter in East Sussex, another fifteenth century house extended sympathetically in the twentieth century. Aylmer Vallance wouldn't be able to get the planning permission to do what he did today, but the past working with the future has produced a beautiful result at Stoneacre.

 

 

 

 

 

There is a lovely garden surrounding the house, which makes great use of varying levels and gradients.

Countryside walks could be taken in the valley near the house. Refreshments would be available in the village of Otham.

Address: Stoneacre, Otham, Maidstone, Kent ME15 8RS

Opening Times: Stoneacre is open on Saturdays only, 11am - 5.30pm, 20th March until 2nd October. Also open on bank holiday Mondays.

Directions: Stoneacre is in Otham village near Maidstone. From Maidstone take the A274 Sutton Road, and then follow signs to Otham. Once in Otham Stoneacre is signposted. Car parking is available near the house. Click here for an interactive road and satellite map centred on Stoneacre.

Access: The car park is at the bottom of a steep lane leading up to the house. If you have mobility problems drive on past the car park, and use the drop off point opposite the entrance to the house. There are no toilet facilities. The ground floor of the house is accessible to wheelchair users. The grounds are partly accessible.

 

 

Contact:

telephone: 01892 893861

e-mail: stoneacre@nationaltrust.org.uk

web site http://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/main/w-vh/w-visits/w-findaplace/w-stoneacre.htm

 

 

 

 

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