Ightham Mote; a 700 year old magnificent, medieval moated manor house set in the beautiful Kent Countryside.
/A visit to the beautiful Ightham Mote will take you on a journey back to the 14th century. Various rooms and details result in you being taken along a timeline of discovery and evoking a deep sense of history. It was built by medieval knights, taken on by tudor courtiers desperate to gain favour with Henry VIII and on through high society Victorians before ending up in the hands of a very generous American benefactor who passed it on to the National Trust. You enter by crossing the moat on a small bridge and entering a wonderful courtyard with features representing alterations and extensions built by its various owners. It has many rooms to marvel at, from the medieval “Great Hall” and Crypt”, to Catherine of Aragon’s pomegranite emblem on the chapel ceiling and ending up in the impressive Victorian billiard room.
Ightham Mote images
The manor house from the south
You enter the courtyard and it is as if you have gone through a time tunnel to an entirely different and very peaceful world
Inside the courtyard looking back on where we entered.
In the courtyard looking the other way at the Great Hall
Your view when you walk into the Great Hall, the oldest part of the building.
Ightham Mote history; Sir Richard Clement, Catherine of Aragon and Henry VIII
In 1521 Richard Clement an ambitious landowner and former page to Henry VII, who had worked his way up to become “gentleman of the household” bought Ightam Mote for £400. Not only had he made money by working for the king , he also had the good fortune to marry a rich, elderly widow called Anne Whittlebury. He then moved on to become “Gentleman Usher”in Henry VIII’s court, gaining more power and influence. To gain even more favour and to show everyone his allegiance to Henry and Catherine of Aragon, he added the stained glass emblems of the king and queen but never got around to having them removed when Henry decided to divorce Catherine. He had probably hoped that Henry would visit him to see how loyal he was but the emblems remained and no doubt, if Henry had seen them after the divorce, he would have gone into one of his famous rages.
Notice Catherine of Aragon’s pomegranate emblem with Henry VIII’s
Even more allegiance can be seen on the ceiling of the “New Chapel.
Here you can see the pomegranate of Catherine combined with the Tudor Rose. You can also see a castle , the sign of her mother, Isabella of Castille and the arrows depicting the mergence of Aragon (Catherine’s father Ferdinand of Aragon ) and Castile (Isabella of Castile) to create Spain.
You can see here the combined emblems of pomegranate and Tudor rose. This signifies the union between Henry Vlll and Catherine of Aragon.
No priest holes exist in Ightham Mote despite catholics living there in Elizabeth’s reign
In the mid 16th century, the old chapel’s function changed and it was divided into two rooms, with the owner, Sir Christopher Allen, having been accused of keeping a “vile, papistical house”. His wife was a Roman Catholic and in 158, her name appeared on a list of recusants,( a person who did not attend church), which was quite a serious offence Elizabeth’s reign when Catholics were seen as potential traitors.
Believe it or not, the dog kennel is a grade one listed construction! Other quirky features include a Saracen’s head which can be seen at the foot of the Jacobean staircase and was the emblem of the Selby family. Possibly, it is linked to the family’s participation in the crusades. Have a look through the windows and notice that some pains distort your view. Original pains of blown glass often have distortions unlike modern glass that give you a perfect view. When walking externally, have a look up at the chimneys and note that even the humble chimney can have design features.
Plenty of people willing to supply fascinating information and stories about Ightham Mote and there is an excellent introductory talk.
What can kids do at Ightham Mote?
There is a popular “ I spy” type sheet where photos are provided and the children go around each room discovering the origin of the photo. This was proving very enjoyable for the children who were doing it with their parents when we visited.One adult commented that the exercise made him look in more detail on arriving at a new room.
Not only are there beautiful grounds to walk through, there is a natural play area and the opportunity to paddle in a stream as well as an area to have a picnic.
If you are going with children in the school holidays, go on a Thursday
Every Thursday throughout the school holidays there are children games and craft exercises, described by one parent as “fabulous”.
The Ightham Mote ghost
When you visit Ightham Mote you will see that it is ideal for legendary ghost stories and you would be correct. In Victorian times workmen unblocked an arch and removed part of a wall, they allegedly discovered the skeleton of a lady sitting in a chair. According to rumours that developed after the gunpowder plot of 1605, the letter, known as the “Monteagle letter” was sent from Ightham Mote. The letter, which tipped off James I about the Catholic Guy Fawkes plans to blow up the king and his parliament was allegedly sent by Dame Dorothy Selby. The plot failed and to avenge their failure, Catholic sympathisers captured Dame Dorothy and walled her up! Since then her ghost has stalked the corridors.
Henry James , the American author of such novels as “Portrait of a Lady “ and “The Wings of the Dove” stayed in the “Tower Bedroom” over Christmas 1887 supposedly haunted by a ghostly “Grey Lady” noting that she failed to turn up! However this did inspire him to write “The Turn of the Screw”.
Essential information
Do not let your Sat Nav take you via the A21. The roads from the A21 are single track and not a pleasant drive. Go via Ivy Hatch
If you do come from the A21, go past the entrance on the right and drive at least half a mile until you see the turning on the right to take you back down to the car park. A sign at the entrance states this is half a mile but it seems a lot further so do not give up and turn around! The screen capture above shows the car park road and illustrates coming from the Ivy Hatch direction is preferable with far shorter single lane roads.
Entrance fees to Ightham Mote
Summer 2nd March-27th Oct
Adult £14.40
Child £7.20
Family £36.00
Winter 28th Oct-29th Nov
Adult £4.75
Child £2.40
Family £12.00
Christmas 30th Nov-5thJan
Adult £9.50
Child £4.50
Family £24.50
Or join the National Trust there and get your visit your ticket refunded
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See a beautiful, gothic cathedral with the tallest spire in the country and see the best preserved of the four surviving original copies of Magna Carta, one of the most important documents in the world. The cathedral stands alone in its own beautiful grounds so that you can have an unimpeded view all the way around and even enjoy a picnic. The cathedral that John Constable loved to paint. Go on a tower tour and climb stairs to over 200 feet above ground level. Stroll around the biggest cloisters in Britain. See a beautiful interior and, as it lacks an interior screen, you can see from one end to the other. See the oldest working medieval clock in the world. If you are there when the choir is rehearsing, you will experience mindfulness and be at peace with the world.