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Lullingstone Castle
Our final destination for the day, Lullingstone Castle,- most walked from Lullingstone Villa but we took the car. (Prams don't go very well on tracks - that's our excuse anyway, and we're sticking to it!) This meant that we were in time to see the wedding party have their final photos taken and leave the church within the grounds. A more idyllic setting its hard to imagine, and they were extremely lucky with the weather - just a few minutes later the heavens opened and the rain lashed down for about 15 minutes.
"Castle" is rather a grandiose term for this house which, whilst certainly charming and interesting, is really little more than a grand manor house. It was built by Sir John Peche, a prominent member of the court of Henry VII from early on, and continuing to hold office under Henry VIII. The house was built around 1497, originally with two gatehouses - the one we see today (believed to be one of the earliest brick-built gatehouses in Britain), and an inner one straddling the moat.
The latter were both demolished in the mid-18th century to make way for the extensive lawn in front of the house, reputed to be the setting for Sir William Hart Dyke and his friends (including Edward VII when Prince of Wales) devising the rules for lawn tennis which are still followed today. Substantial parts of the original Tudor house still survive, hidden under the brick façade in which it was clad during the reign of Queen Anne (1702-20 iirc). This façade is beautiful, but the renegade archaeologist in me would love to see it pulled down to reveal the Tudor house inside!
The rain had left the grounds in a state where us boring adults were less than keen to explore them, but we did venture into the herb garden. This shows signs of severe neglect, to the point where the paths were rapidly disappearing in places. A classic answer to those who ask why archaeology is always buried!
Also, as Caz pointed out, a graphic demonstration of how places like Heligan have 'lost' gardens.
After a final cup of tea at the Visitor centre we dispersed - where next chaps?!
photos by Shaun and Alison R
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