Belmont House and Gardens

Belmont House

Belmont is a Georgian house and gardens in Throwley, near Faversham in east Kent. Built between 1769 and 1793, it has been described as "a marvellous example of Georgian architecture that has remained completely unspoilt".[1] The house is famous for the most extensive private collection of clocks in England.[1]

History

There was no house or estate on the site until the land was bought in 1769 by Edward Wilks, store-keeper of the Royal Powder Mills at Faversham.[1] The original house still stands as a wing of the present building.[1] The current house was largely created between 1789–1793 by Colonel John Montresor of the Royal Engineers. His career was cut short when he was accused of embezzlement and the house was bought at auction in 1801 by General George Harris.[1] His descendants continued to live at Belmont, the clock collection being assembled by the 5th Lord Harris.[1] The house is now held in trust.

Gardens

In the grounds are a walled garden, pinetum, Victorian shell grotto and an orangery planted with orange trees, palms and other tropical trees.[1] A line of pets' graves leads to the Prospect Tower, which can be let via the Landmark Trust.[2]

Notes and references

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Long, Peter (2004), The Hidden Places of England, Travel Publishing Ltd, p. 315, ISBN 978-1-904434-12-2
  2. ↑ Toms, Jan (2006), Animal Graves and Memorials, Osprey Publishing, p. 40, ISBN 978-0-7478-0643-1

External links

Coordinates: 51°16′18″N 0°50′43″E / 51.27167°N 0.84528°E / 51.27167; 0.84528

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