This is one of the properties I visited on my weekend away in October.  I know I promised gardens but I thought I would share pictures of the property itself first.

Ightham Mote is a wonderfully quaint manor house and has been standing for over 650 years.  A visit there is like stepping back in time.  The house has been altered many times over the years which isn’t really obvious from the outside but once you step inside it is a lesson in social history.

Over the years it has had around thirty different owners the last being Charles Henry Robinson (from Portland Maine, USA) who was a bachelor, so to preserve the house he donated it to the National Trust in 1985.

These pictures show the outside of the main building which is built round a courtyard.

First Impressions

Double Vision

Reflected Glory

Oh all right then, I couldn’t resist  just a few flowers to whet your appetite,  although I still  haven’t decided whether to show you the inner courtyard or the grounds and gardens next.

Tower View

18 Comments CherryPie on Dec 31st 2009

18 Responses to “Ightham Mote”

  1. luisa brehm says:

    wonderful place to spend this night, Fairy ;-) ))))))))))))
    wishing you a magicallllllllllllllllllllllll 2010
    and that your dreams come true !!!
    lots of loveeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee
    lu

  2. jameshigham says:

    Yes, Happy New Year to you and don’t fall in the moat.

  3. Sasha says:

    I’m going to wish you a happy New Year now Cherry Pie because I may not be in any fit state to put fingers to the keyboard by midnight. From past experience (on the odd occasion when I’ve celebrated with a few drinks) I just know I’ll type something that seems great at the time but not so great in the morning ;)

    Have a great New Years Eve … we’ll raise a glass to you and your readers at midnight.

    Wishing you all the best for the New Year :)

  4. jmb says:

    You have some wonderful places to visit in your vicinity or not too far away.

    Happy new year to you Cherie.

  5. Claudia says:

    Lifting my glass to your good health. À la votre! The best in 2010.

  6. Calumcarr says:

    The happiest of New Years to you, CP

  7. Phidelm says:

    Oh, Cherie – I’ve been looking forward so much to the pix of Ightham Mote! Lovely to see it, and you’ve ensured all the architectural detail is very clearly visible. Great! Thanks, Cherie – and a wonderful New Year to you.

  8. Phidelm says:

    PS Hope you get a chance to visit Lytes Carey; think you’d love it (and the gardens are pretty terrific, also!). Lots of other places to see nearby, too … Maybe in 2010! Together with other blessings.

  9. That looks amazing. Happy New Year Cherie!

  10. Phidelm says:

    They were worth waiting for, Cherie, so thank you.
    Lytes Carey is a mediaeval/tudor manor house with beautiful gardens in v peaceful setting in southern Somerset, + nearby are: Montacute House; mediaeval priest’s House @ Martock; Barrington Hall (famous among gardeners); Muchelney Abbey + Church (amazing painted 17th century ceiling) + a Leach pottery + yet another mediaeval priest’s house. There are several more places worth visiting in/around the area incl eel smokery (yum!). Area is where the surrounding hills meet the Levels:tranquil, stunning scenery and lots of history!

  11. Love that one with the reflection.