Godmersham Park

Godmersham Park was built in 1732 for Thomas May, replacing an earlier Elizabethan house, Ford House, owned by the Brodnax family. In 1742, by which time May had changed his name to Knight, he enclosed a park around the estate, which was then known as Ford Park. The wings were added in 1780. Following the death of his adoptive mother Catherine in 1812, Austen changed his name to Knight. Jane Austen was a regular visitor between 1798 and 1813. Mansfield Park is said to be based on Godmersham Park.(later the Burn additions were swept away in the 1930s by Robert Tritton). Godmersham Park passed to John Cunliffe Lister, 3rd Baron Masham, who sold it in 1921 to William Legge, 6th Earl of…

Godmersham Park is a two-storey house in the Palladian style. Built of red brick, the main block is of seven bays, the central three being recessed. The north front is of Thomas May's time, while the south facade was constructed by Walter Sarel for the Trittons in the 1930s, in a complementary style. During this reconstruction, Sarel also turned the bricks on the north front, which had been painted in the 19th century, to restore the original 18th century appearance. The two wings post-date May's frontage, being of the late 18th century. The roof is of slate with a parapet, and the house is of two storeys, with cellars and attics. The interior contains two rooms which retain the original…