It was a really wintry feeling day when I visited Ightham Mote with a very light dusting of snow on the rooftops. Set in a Kentish sunken valley, Ightham Mote is a rare example of a moated medieval manor house, dating from 1320 with later additions and alterations over five centuries. It’s another property owned by the National Trust and in recent years has undergone extensive restoration work which is now complete but has taken several years.

Just two of the rooms were open to the public the day I visited and they had a lovely Christmas tree decorated and a log fire in the Great Hall which attempted to warm you up on a very cold day. Being the National Trust though I wasn’t allowed to take any pictures inside, which is a shame. There is also a Grade 1 listed Dog Kennel that was built for a St Bernard in the cobbled courtyard.

 

After I enjoyed a very welcome bowl of soup in the restaurant I decided to follow a walk that’s signposted from the property. It’s just over 2½ miles and takes you to a viewpoint at the top of the estate some 650ft above sea level that on a good day would give you extensive views across the weald of Kent. Sadly on this cloudy winter’s day there was very little in the way of a view but it had its highlights and as the muddy paths were mostly frozen in the cold temperatures I didn’t get too mucky which is very unlike me! It also took me past a terrace of Hoppers Huts where up to the 1950 hop pickers sometimes whole families migrated in September from London to pick the hops with each family living in one room.

I’m sure during the summer months I would be able to explore more of the gardens too which were shut for the winter so I think another visit is almost certain in the summer months.

 

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