More information : (TR 06125100) Godmersham Park (NAT) (1)
TR 05 SE Godmersham Godmersham Park
4/24 Godmersham Park
13.10.52
I
House. 1732 for Thomas Brodnax-May-Knight, wings added c. 1780, south
front remodelled 1852, and c. 1935 by Walter Sarel. Red brick and
ashlar dressings and slate roof. North front: painted in C19, the
bricks were turned round to expose unpainted surface c. 1935. 2
storeys and attic on ashlar plinth, with discontinuous plat band,
modillion eaves cornice, parapet bearing urns, and hipped roof, with 2projecting hipped wings, 5 pedimented dormers, and 4 stacks regularly
ranged left to right. Regular fenestration in 2-3-2 rhythm, all
windows C20 glazing bar sashes. Recessed hall of 3 windows, square
sashes to first floor, keyed oeil-de-boeuf mezzanine windows and 2
sash windows with cornice hoods on consoles on ground floor, flanking
central double doors of 3 fielded panels each, with semi-circular
fanlight and moulded arched surrounds. Attached Ionic columns support
pediment above. Two projecting wings beyond of 2 windows, those on
ground floor with pediments over. Flanking this main block are
corridor wings, stepped down and recessed, of 1 window to each floor,
that on ground floor with "Gibbs surround". Beyond, low wings of 2
storeys on plinth with plat band and hipped roof with 5 windows and
gauged heads to each floor. South front: originally plainer than northfront, with bayed ends to projecting wings attic and pedimented
portico, now of 2 storeys and garret and 4 stacks with ashlar plinth,
plat band, cornice and balustraded parapet. Main block of recessed
centre and projecting wings, 7 windows to each floor, the central
recessed area (the Saloon) with French windows flanking blocked
doorway with broken pediment enclosing cartouche supported on Ionic
pilasters. The entrance is now by French doors in the left hand
corridor wing. The wing to left now an orangery with 3 full height
glazing-bar arched and keyed windows flanked by Doric pilasters. The
wing to right has similar plinth, plat band, cornice and parapet with
urns, but has 5 glazing bar sash windows to each floor. This front is
as rebuilt c 1935. Interior: 2 original interiors of c. 1732 survive;
the entrance hall, of 1 storey only the mezzanine oeil-de-boeuf
windows echoed by medallions in the deep frieze, a fire place with
pedimented plaster relief over to right faced to left by pedimented
niche with shell-head alcove. Rectangular compartmented ceilings, the
beams with stucco fruit and flowers. The other original interior is
the drawing room with plaster work of musical instruments, fruit and
flowers, and framed mirrors, all after the style of William Kent. (C.
Hussey, C.L. Feb. 23. 1945, 334). All other interiors by Walter Sarel
c. 1935, using many genuine C18 features brought in from various otherplaces. (Sevenoaks, London, Bath.). The orangery decorated by Felix
Harbord. Subsidiary features: post and iron chain attached to obelisksbefore main north door. Brick wall running left off north front, 7'
high stepped down at 3 stages, and terminating in gateway, with
vermiculated and rusticated pier, supporting plinths, bearing coaded
stone urns, signed Coade, London 1793.
2 similar urns at entrance to stable courtyard beyond, and to right,
large keyed arched gateway with pediment over to kitchen courtyard.
Stable ranges (now offices in part) C18 with C20 additions, of 1
storey red brick, plain tile roof, irreular fenestration. West, the
walled gardens, 3 in all, with C17 and C18 walls in English and
Flemish (chequered) bonds, an average 10' high, with round-arched
doors, extending in 3 courtyards c. 150 yards north-south and c. 30
yards east-west, the most southerly a yew tree garden laid out by
Norah Lindsay. The south front and west court fronted with raised
stone flag pavement, the west court with lily pond, with wall-water
spout, balustraded courtyard, and flights of steps, with full size
statue of a stag, and large urn in niche on side of house. Statuary
otherwised itemised separately. History: the house was owned from
1797-1852 by Edward Austen-Knight, brother of Jane Austen, a frequent
and regular visitor, supposed to have written some of her works
here, and to have used Godmersham and its denizens as prototype for
Mansfield Park. See. C. Hussey, C.L. Feb. 16. 1945, 288-91, Feb. 23.
1945, 332-5, Mar. 2. 1945, 376-9. B.O.E. Kent II, 444
|