Belmont House and Gardens

Belmont is a Georgian house and gardens in Throwley, near Faversham in east Kent. Built between 1769 and 1793, it has been described as "a marvellous example of Georgian architecture that has remained completely unspoilt".[1] The house is famous for the most extensive private collection of clocks in England.[1]

Belmont House
Belmont House
General information
TypeHouse
Town or cityThrowley, near Faversham
CountryUnited Kingdom
Estimated completionBetween 1769 and 1793
ClientEdward Wilks, store-keeper at the nearby Faversham Powder Mill
OwnerHarris family
Grounds14 acres
Design and construction
ArchitectSamuel Wyatt
Website
belmont-house.org

History

There was no house or estate on the site until the land was bought in 1769 by Edward Wilks, store-keeper of the Royal Powder Mills at Faversham.[1] It was designed by the architect Samuel Wyatt.[2] The original house still stands as a wing of the present building.[1] The current house was largely created between 1789–1793 by Colonel John Montresor of the Royal Engineers. His career was cut short when he was accused of embezzlement and the house was bought at auction in 1801 by General George Harris,[1] for £9,000.[2] His descendants continued to live at Belmont, the clock collection being assembled by the 5th Lord Harris, who served as the first President of the Antiquarian Horological Society,[1] for which Jonathan Betts acts as Curatorial Adviser.[3] The house is now held by a trust established by Lord Harris.[2]

Gardens

They cover up to 14 acres.[2] In the grounds are a walled garden, pinetum, Victorian shell grotto and an orangery planted with orange trees, palms and other tropical trees.[1] In 2001, the kitchen garden was restored according to a design by Arabella Lennox-Boyd.[2] The Walnut Walk, passes a line of pets' graves leads to the 'Prospect Tower', it was originally used as a summerhouse, and then later used as a pavilion by the fourth baron, George Harris.[2]

The tower can be let via the Landmark Trust.[4]

Notes and references
  1. Long, Peter (2004), The Hidden Places of England, Travel Publishing Ltd, p. 315, ISBN 978-1-904434-12-2
  2. Raymond, Francine (24 July 2012). "Belmont House and gardens, Faversham, Kent: visiting a piece of history". The Telegraph. Retrieved 1 May 2017.
  3. "Specialist Clock Tour at Belmont House and Gardens". www.visitkent.co.uk. Retrieved 31 January 2020.
  4. Toms, Jan (2006), Animal Graves and Memorials, Osprey Publishing, p. 40, ISBN 978-0-7478-0643-1

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