Exploring Kent's Past

It should not be assumed that this site is publicly accessible and it may be on private property. Do not trespass.

Monument details

Summary

Grade I listed building. Built in 1681 by Sir Nicholas Crisp, a wealthy Guinea merchant. In the early 18th century it was acquired by John Warde, the ancestor of the present owners. Squerryes Court is one of the finest examples of a Renaissance manor house and stands in landscaped park with ornamental lake in front and gazebo on summit of hill oppposite. The estate stretches over a wide area to the south of Westerham.

Monument Types

• DOVECOTE (Post Medieval to Modern - 1681 AD to 2050 AD)
• HOUSE (Post Medieval to Modern - 1681 AD to 2050 AD)
• OASTHOUSE (Post Medieval to Modern - 1681 AD? to 2050 AD)
• SITE (Post Medieval - 1681 AD to 1899 AD)

Full description

If you do not understand anything on this page please contact us.

The following text is from the original listed building designation:
TQ 4453 36/1346

WESTERHAM Goodley Stock (East Side) Squerryes Court

(Formerly listed as Squerries Court)

10.9.54.

I Built in 1681 by Sir Nicholas Crisp, a wealthy Guinea merchant. In the early C18 it was acquired by John Warde, the ancestor of the present owners. Squerryes Court is one of the finest examples of a Renaissance manor house and stands in landscaped park with ornamental lake in front and gazebo on summit of hill opposite. The estate stretches over a wide area to the south of Westerham and includes a number of farmhouses etc, listed elsewhere. Squerryes Court is a rectangular building with a typical Queen Anne type of red brick elevation. 2 storeys, projecting moulded cornice with modillions, steep hip slate roof with pedimented gable end dormers. Symmetrical elevation with centre pedimented projection and C19 projecting stone porch with columns and entablature. C19 sash windows in exposed moulded frames with vertical and horizontal sash bars. Flat arches over windows of rubbed red headers. End brick pilasters at corners. Stone plinth and brick band. Dormers with square paned casements. Circular window in centre of pediment. Inside, original plan much altered and staircase removed in mid C19 to form large entrance hall with Roman Doric screen. Some original dado panelling and enriched doors and windows; also some plaster cornices and original fireplace surrounds. Historic Associations. The Warde family have owned Squerryes for the last 2 centuries and one of them, John Warde, was famous as the "Father of Fox Hunting". The house contains a valuable collection of paintings. Listing NGR: TQ4411453406. (1)

Description from record TQ 45 SW 34 :
[TQ 4411 5341] Squerryes Court (NAT) [TQ 4401 5328] Dovecot (NAT) (2) [TQ 4411 5341] Squerries Court, built in 1681 by Sir Nicholas Crisp, is one of the finest examples of a Renaissance manor house. A rectangular building with a typical Queen Anne type of red brick elevation. 2 storeys, steep hip slate roof, with pedimented gable end dormers. Symmetrical elevation, with 19c. Porch. [TQ 4401 5328] 18 c. oast house, adjacent to home farm buildings with conical tile roof and lead cupola adapted as dovecote. Gazebo, built 1735, stands 330 yards west of house. (3) Squerries Court, a private residence, is in good condition and is as described above. See GP AO/62/296/3 from SW. (4) 5280 WESTERHAM WESTERHAM Goodley Stock (East Side) Squerries Court TQ 4453 36/1346 10.9.54. I 2. Built in 1681 by Sir Nicholas Crisp, a wealthy Guinea merchant. In the early C18 it was acquired by John Warde, the ancestor of the present owners. Squerries Court is one of the finest examples of a Renaissance manor house and stands in landscaped park with ornamental lake in front and gazebo on summit of hill oppposite. The estate stretches over a wide area to the south of Westerham and includes a number of farmhouses etc, listed elsewhere. Squerries Court is a rectangular building with a typical Queen Anne type of red brick elevation. 2 storeys, prefecting moulded cornice with modillions, steep hip slate roof with pedimented gable end dormers. Symmetrical elevation with centre pedimented projection and C19 projecting stone porch with columns and entablature. C19 sash windows in exposed moulded frames with vertical and horizontal sash bars. Flat arches over windows of rubbed red headers. End brick pilasters at corners. Stone plinth and brick band. Dormers with square paned casements. Circular window in centre of pediment. Inside, original plan much altered and staircase removed in mid C19 to form large entrance hall with Roman Doric screen. Some origianal dado panelling and enriched doors and windows; also some plaster cornices and original fireplace surrounds. Historic Associations. The Warde family have owned Squerries for the last 2 centuries and one of them, John Warde, was famous as the 'Father of Fox Hunting'. The house contains a valuable collection of paintings. 5280 WESTERHAM WESTERHAM Goodley Stock (East Side)

Additional Bibliography (5-11)

<1> English Heritage, List of Buildings of Special Architectural or Historic Interest (Map). SKE16160.

<2> OS 6" 1936-47 (OS Card Reference). SKE48342.

<3> Min T. and C.P. Prov List. Sevenoaks R.D. 2360/11/A 1949. (OS Card Reference). SKE47207.

<4> F1 ASP 21-DEC-62 (OS Card Reference). SKE42218.

<5> DOE(HHR) Dist of Sevenoaks RD Kent 1975 351-3. (OS Card Reference). SKE41026.

<6> Bldgs of Eng W Kent and the Weald 1980 597 (OS Card Reference). SKE38024.

<7> Squerryes Court Westerham official guide 1961 1971 NA (OS Card Reference). SKE49529.

<8> Squerryes Court Westerham the Kent home of the Warde family since 1731 1971 NA (OS Card Reference). SKE49530.

<9> Field report for monument TQ 45 SW 34 - December, 1962 (Bibliographic reference). SKE2690.

<10> SQUERREYES COURT AT WESTERHAM FROM SOUTH WEST (Photograph). SKE2580.

Sources and further reading

Related records