Set in the rural Weald of Kent surrounded by picturesque countryside and ancient parkland, Penshurst Place and Gardens has changed little over the centuries. This mediaeval masterpiece has been the seat of the Sidney family since 1552 and retains the warmth and character of a much-loved family home. Today, Philip Sidney, Viscount De L'Isle, continues the family guardianship of this wonderful old house and garden with his wife Isobel and their two children, Philip and Sophia.

The first recorded owner of the original 13th century house and estate was Sir Stephen de Penchester, a distinguished royal servant whose tomb can be found in Penshurst church. He was followed a half century later by Sir John de Pulteney, a wealthy London merchant and financier and four times elected Lord Mayor of London, who wanted to build a country establishment within a days ride of the city, where he could hunt and entertain on a grand scale.

At the heart of the mediaeval manor house lies the Baron's Hall,
with its awe-inspiring 60 foot high chestnut roof, supported by satirical representations of peasants and estate workers at the time. A rare
surviving central octagonal hearth in the centre of the hall, still lit on
special occasions, formed the focal point of the household, where
servants and estate workers slept, ate and lived out their lives, whilst
the Lord of the Manor and his family resided upstairs in the Solar.

Sixty years after Sir John de Pulteney's death, Penshurst was in the
hands of Henry IV's third son, John, Duke of Bedford. To him is attributed the second hall, known as the Buckingham Building, After his death Penshurst became the property of his younger brother, Humphrey,
Duke of Gloucester, founder of Oxford's Bodleian Library. The estate
then passed to Humphrey Stafford, Ist Duke of Buckingham. He was
the first of three of that title to own the estate, all of whom were
eventually beheaded.

In 1519, Penshurst Place was the setting of a sumptuous banquet given by 3rd Duke of Buckingham in honour of Henry VIII. Such lavish hospitality did not stop the King having the duke tried for treason and beheaded in the Tower of London just two years later! Since traitor's estates became forfeit to the Crown, this began a period of ownership of Penshurst Place by the Tudor Royal Family.

It was left to Henry VIII's successor, Edward VI, to settle the fate of Penshurst. In 1552, he made a gift of it to his loyal steward and tutor, Sir William Sidney. Throughout the turbulent years of Tudor and later, Stewart rule, the Sidney's served at Court and in government. Their influence increased further when Sir William's son, Henry Sidney, married Lady Mary Dudley, whose powerful family included the Duke of Northumberland and Robert Dudley, Earl of Leicester, a favourite and, possibly, the one great love, of Queen Elizabeth I.

Sir Henry's son, Sir Philip Sidney, poet, courtier and soldier, was to live only 31 years, but during his short lifetime he gained the reputation of having all the attributes and talents a Renaissance gentleman could aspire to. He remains the personification of virtue, chivalry and nobility even today. Upon his death in 1586, so greatly was he admired, that he was accorded the honour of a state funeral at St Paul's Cathedral. He was the first commoner to receive such a tribute, not to be repeated until the death of Lord Nelson and Sir Winston Churchill.

There followed a period of prosperity when Sir Philip's brother, Robert Sidney, inherited the estate. He also became heir to both Warwick and Leicester uncles and married a rich Welsh heiress, Barbara Gamage. It is to Robert and Barbara whom Penshurst must thank for the Long Gallery, an addition to the state rooms.

The Earldom of Leicester conferred on Robert in 1618 began seven generations of this noble title for the Sidney family, ending in 1743 with the death of Sir Joceleyn Sidney, who died without male issue.

There followed a period of neglect until, in 1818, the estate began a revival in the hands of Sir John Shelley-Sidney. His son, Philip, consolidated the family's recovery by marrying Sophia FitzClarence, favourite child of King William IV and his long-time mistress, Mrs Dorothy Jordan. In 1835, 92 years after the Leicester earldom had died out, Philip Sidney was created Baron De L'Isle and Dudley.

He continued architectural work at Penshurst Place and his son, Philip, 2nd Lord De L'Isle and Dudley carried on the sensitive repair and restoration of the house and gardens to its former glory.

In 1945, the great house at Penshurst looked little like the stately home it had become. The ravages and neglect during the Second World War left the old defended manor house in dire need of repair. The task fell to William Sidney, 1st Viscount De L'Isle when he inherited the property and moved in with his family during a time when food, fuel, money and building materials were scarce.

The resurrection of Penshurst was largely due to this remarkable man, who will be remembered as the most politically prominent member of his family since the 17th century. He was also one of only three men ever to have held both of the highest orders of gallantry and chivalry - Victoria Cross and Knight of the Garter. Sir Winston Churchill appointed him Secretary of State for Air in 1951 and from 1961 - 1965 he served as Governor-General of Australia, the last Englishman to hold that high office.

On his succession in 1991, Philip, 2nd Viscount De L'Isle, made Penshurst Place his home and continues in the tradition generations of his family have done before him - in maintaining this wonderful old house with a mediaeval heart and historic gardens as a national treasure, as well as a much -loved family home.

THE STATE ROOMS

The architectural additions made to Penshurst Place during its 670-year history have seen the house grow into an imposing stately home that reveals at least eight different styles. The State Rooms are filled with a wonderful collection acquired through the centuries by generations of the Sidney family. The West Solar, or State Dining Room, part of the mediaeval building, contains an interesting collection of family portraits, furniture and porcelain. The Queen Elizabeth Room, named after Queen Elizabeth I, who often held audience there during her many visits to Penshurst, has a remarkable display of early upholstered furniture. Visitors can admire the beautiful tapestries in the Tapestry Room,
then wander along the magnificent Elizabethan Long Gallery, full of royal and family portraits, before descending to
the Nether Gallery with its fascinating array of arms and armour.

For a full history of Penshurst Place and Gardens, please send a cheque for £5.00 payable to Penshurst Place for a guidebook. Click here for contact details