The village of Penshurst guards the secret of the great house. The High Street, with its cluster of shop, houses and pub, hardly allows a glimpse of the high pitched roofs of Penshust Place which stands so close.

The manor house that lies at the heart of Penshust Place is the most complete example in England of 14th century architecture. The house which was completed in 1341 has been the home of the Sidney family for 450 years.

The great hall has been described as one of the world's grandest rooms and its 6 metre long 15th century trestle tables it contains are unique.

360° panorama round Penshurst Place

The gardens' origins are as old as the house's and unusually they retain their Elizabethan framework which was destroyed in so many other gardens by 18th century "improvers".

The house is built of local sandstone and its rich brown streaks are enhanced by the use of different sized blocks to give a randomly mottled effect.

The garden is one of the oldest in private ownership. The earliest records are dated 1346, and much of the garden remains as it was in the reign of Queen Elizabeth I.

The garden has over a mile of yew hedges, three thousand roses and is home to a 450-year-old yew in the southwest corner of the Italian Garden.

The estate has long been the guardian of Sidney's Oak. Reputed to have been planted at the christening of Sir Philip Sidney in 1554, it is, in fact, 1000 years old.

Its legacy is guaranteed by its acorns which have been planted all over the world, and as a result of cloning, saplings genetically identical to the tree are to be planted on the estate.

How to find the Penshurst Place:
Location: Take the B2176 off the A26 between Tonbridge and Southborough/Tunbridge Wells. Penshurst Place can be found on the right just as you head into the centre of Penshurst Village.
Venue: Penshurst Place & Gardens
Penshurst, TN11 8DG
Tel: 01892 870307
Fax: 01892 870866
Web: www.penshurstplace.com
Email: enquiries@penshurstplace.com