Exploring Kent's Past

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Monument details

Summary

Grade I listed building. Main construction periods 1585 to 1912 Knowlton Court (17th c. and later)

Monument Types

• HOUSE (Post Medieval to Modern - 1585 AD to 2050 AD)

Full description

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Description from record TR 25 SE 23 :
(TR 28125332) Knowlton Court [NAT] (1) Knowlton Court. Grade I. The original portion of this mansion was built by Sir Thomas Peyton in the early 17th century. (2)

The following text is from the original listed building designation:
GOODNESTONE KNOWLTON TR 25 SE 3/66 Knowlton Court 13.10.52 GV I House. 1585 for Sir Thomas Peyton, altered and extended 1715 for Sir Thomas D'Aeth, part remodelled and gardens laid out 1904 by Reginald Blomfield, and Drawing room (+ gate lodge) by Edwin Lutyens 1912, both for Major Elmer Speed. Red brick in English bond on flint base with plain tiled plat bands and cornice in 2 levels, not carried over end right bay. Seven bays wide, 2 end left projecting and with pilaster quoins, centre 3 recessed, projecting sixth bay and recessed end right bay, also set on higher base than the rest of the front. Kneelered gables to each bay except the centre 3, topped by wide, shallow pediment. Stacks to left, end right and cluster of 7 moulded flues to centre. The central area remodelled 1715, with 2 round windows and semi- circular headed glazing bar sash in centre on second floor, and 3 glazing bar sashes on first floor, the centre with a pediment, and 2 on ground floor. The mullioned and transomed windows to the 2 right end bays largely original, those to the 2 left of 1904. These 2 end bays were also remodelled in 1715 with Dutch gables and sashes, but made to match the C16 work by Blomfield. Basement opening to left. Central half-glazed door in rusticated stone surround with 4 moulded steps. Service wing to rear left facing the Church of St Clement added 1715, of 2 storeys and attic with plinth and panelled parapet to hipped roof with 4 dormers and stacks to left and to right. Five cross windows and 1 blank space on first floor and 5 cross windows on ground floor all with flying cornices with central double half-glazed doors with rectangular fanlight, with 3 (originally 4) cross windows on right return. Interior: hall, with wainscotting of 1904 and cross-beamed ceiling of same date. Fire place of stone, lugged, with scrolled frieze carved with festoon in relief supporting a pediment containing arms of D'Aeth, and possibly of c. 1715 rather than C20, the foliated frieze in the style of Gibbons, C16 fireplaces elsewhere. Main stair C20 in C16 style of heavy turned balusters. The White staircase is early C18, 3 storeys around an open well, with turned balusters with square knops and open string on brackets, with double ramped and wreathed handrail and ramped dado panelling. Drawing room, by Lutyens, 1912, in late C17 manner, with panelling, fluted Corinthian pilasters (6 on the long sides, 4 on the short sides) with a frieze encircled with Gibbons-style festoons and swags and modillion cornice to enriched plaster beamed ceiling (based on original in the Victoria and Albert Museum). Lugged bolection moulded fireplace with swags, festoons and palm fronds and relief arms of Charles II, a copy and pair to that in the Church of St Clement, Knowlton, the frieze over with a pair of winged cherubs. Heraldic glass from the church, mostly of the Peyton family (the last died 1686). Edward Lord Wootton lived and died here 1628. (See Country Life, vol, 39, p. 534 ff; see also B.O.E. Kent II, 1983, 368-369; see also Hasted, X, 1800, pp. 87-92).
Listing NGR: TR2813653331 (3)

<1> OS 1:10000 1978 (OS Card Reference). SKE48163.

<2> DOE(HHR) Dist of Eastry RD Kent Sept 1960 21 (OS Card Reference). SKE40965.

<3> English Heritage, List of Buildings of Special Architectural or Historic Interest (Map). SKE16160.

Sources and further reading