InfoBritain

 

Titsey Estate, Surrey

The Titsey Estate near Limpsfield in Surrey was originally purchased by Sir John Gresham in 1534. Sir John was uncle of Thomas Gresham, who built London's Royal Exchange in 1566, and founded Gresham College, an instituton offering free public lectures - out of which the world's oldest scientific society, the Royal Society, was to grow. Sir John himself was a successful merchant, setting up the Russia Company. This was one of the great trading corporations which dominated European trade from the sixteenth to eighteenth centuries. As was usual at the time John invested in land, and took advantage of a land market boom following Henry VIII's confiscation of Church lands during the Reformation. Gresham purchased Titsey, Limpsfield, Tatsfield, Westerham, Lingfield and Sanderstead in Kent. Titsey is now all that remains of John's Kent estates. Following demolition in the eighteenth century Sir John Gresham's house no longer survives, except for a small wing at the rear of the present house which served as servant's quarters.

 

 

 

 

Looking from the formal garden over the ha ha to beech woodland beyond

In the early nineteenth century Titsey was passed by inheritance to the Leveson Gower family, who continued to live at Titsey until 1992. It was in the early nineteenth century that Titsey was created largely as we see it today by John Leveson Gower. This was an age when the Industrial Revolution was bringing about a revolution in garden design. Gardens were now idealised recreations of a rural world which was passing away. The slopes of the North Downs above Titsey have Beech Woods which appear to be ancient woodland. In fact this whole two hundred acre hillside was planted up with thousands of trees, to give a backdrop to more formal areas nearer the house. The border between formal gardens and wider landscape beyond is formed with a ha ha. This is a sunken wall set into the ground, which serves to keep livestock away from the house, but does not impede a sweeping view out into the distance. In this way it is difficult to see where garden ends and nature begins. This blurring of man-made and natural was typical of the nineteenth century.

 

 

 

 

Kitchen Garden

In 1996 the walled kitchen garden was completely restored, and is now a remarkable illustration of Victorian horticultural techniques. A wide range of fruit and vegetables are grown amongst summer flowers. In glasshouses peaches, nectarines and grapes are cultivated. Exotic plants and orchids seen in the kitchen garden accurately reflect Victorian preoccupation with plants from distant places. This interest coincided with improved communication around the world.

The house dates from 1775, but its present appearance is the result of remodelling by William Atkinson in 1826. Over the front door is the Gresham crest, a grass hopper, which can also be seen throughout the house, and also on the weather vane of the Royal Exchange in London. The interior still retains its Georgian atmosphere, particularly in the Gallery Bedroom, which survives as a complete early Georgian room. In the library is a portrait of Sir Thomas Gresham himself. Granville Leveson Gower was an enthusiastic antiquarian and enjoyed highlighting the famous family which once owned his house.

 

 

 

The estate is now managed by the Titsey Foundation. Refreshments are provided in an attractive tearoom in a converted stable block. The woodland created by William Leveson Gower can be enjoyed by following marked trails.

Directions: From the A25 between Oxted and Westerham, turn onto the B269, and then into Limpsfield High Street. Brown signs will now direct you to the entrance to the Titsey Estate. Click here for an interactive map centred on the Titsey Estate.

Opening Times: 13th May to 30th September, Wednesday and Sundays only, 1pm - 5pm. Entrance to the house is by guided tour only, at 1.30pm, 2.30pm, 3.30pm.

Additional opening on May 4th and 25th and August 31st.

Garden opening only on April 13th.

Special visits can be made by prior arrangement on any day except Wednesday and Sunday. An enquiry form is available at the web site below.

Address: Titsey Place and Gardens, Oxted, Surrey. (Postcode is omitted as satellite navigation systems direct visitors to the wrong entrance!)

Access: The house is not suitable for wheelchairs. Adapted toilet facilities are provided, but access is considered awkward. The grounds close to the house are generally accessible. Paths are gravelled, and there are some slopes. The woodland walks include steep slopes and are not suitable for those with mobility problems.

Contact:

telephone: 01273 715362

infoline: 01273 715359

e-mail: kate.moisson@struttandparker.co.uk

web site: http://www.titsey.org/pages/introduction.htm