Spring blossom by the house at Scotney Castle, Kent | © National Trust Images/Nina Elliot-Newman

Houses and buildings in Kent

We look after a range of houses and unusual buildings in Kent, from the home of a great politician to a moated manor with 700 years of history for you to uncover.

A lavishly decorated bedroom with a four poster bed hung with embroidered hangings and tapestry hung walls at Knole in Kent

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The house at Knole

Knole was built to impress. Come and explore the grandeur of its showrooms, the hidden secrets of the attics and the rooms Eddy Sackville-West called home in the Gatehouse Tower.

The Drawing Room at Chartwell, Kent, home of Sir Winston Churchill. The room features arched niches filled with books, floral curtains framing high windows and dark wood furniture. On a table there are playing cards left mid-game.

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Selected rooms in the family home of Sir Winston Churchill will be decorated for Christmas and re-opened to visitors from 23 November to 23 December. Explore the beloved home of one of Britain's greatest politicians, Sir Winston Churchill. The house has many treasures and provides an intimate portrait of the Churchill family.

Scotney Castle's Victorian mansion house in early morning autumn mist

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The house at Scotney Castle

From secret doors to ornate furniture and amazing collections of art, costume, books and silverware, find out about the house at Scotney Castle and how the Hussey family made it a home.

A view through a tunnel to the courtyard at Ightham Mote, with long windows visible on the other side of the courtyard

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The house at Ightham Mote

Enter this medieval half-timbered house across a cobbled courtyard and into the hushed interior. Discover dark wood panelling, huge fireplaces and a mix of furnishings inside.

The red brick house at Owletts with large sash windows against a blue sky

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Owletts

Explore the rooms and grounds of Owletts, an impressive 17th-century manor house and birthplace of celebrated architect Sir Herbert Barker.

A view inside the Drawing Room at Quebec House, Kent, which has dark wood panelling on the walls and patterned rugs on the floor. A comfortable chair and sofa are arranged in front of a fireplace and three oil portraits hang in gold frames on the wall above.

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Quebec House

Explore this Georgian town house where General James Wolfe grew up. Discover information about his military life, including the Battle of Quebec after which the house is named.

Autumn views at Sissinghurst Castle Garden

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The buildings at Sissinghurst Castle Garden

Climb the Tower at Sissinghurst for views of the whole garden and peruse thousands of books in the Library.

From a chapel to a knight's dwelling and a lighthouse on the White Cliffs of Dover, discover interesting buildings to explore in Kent.

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The Ellen Terry museum at Smallhythe Place

Step into the Ellen Terry Museum at Smallhythe Place, a creative haven dedicated to the late Victorian actress, curated by her daughter Edy Craig.

South Foreland Lighthouse in Kent seen from a wildflower meadow.

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South Foreland Lighthouse

Explore South Foreland Lighthouse on the famous White Cliffs of Dover. Take a guided tour and discover the fascinating stories of this landmark.

Two women walking along a footpath surrounded by bare trees in winter.

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Darnley Mausoleum at Cobham Wood

The restored Darnley Mausoleum stands on the highest point of the site. Viewable from outside year-round, the 18th-century building is open to explore on select dates during the summer.

Interior of chapel at St. John's Jerusalem, Kent

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St. John's Jerusalem

This rare surviving chapel is the only remaining structure of the Preceptory of the Knights Hospitallers of the Order of St John of Jerusalem, formed in 1113.

Exterior of the chapel at Old Soar Manor showing the east window with garderobe beyond.

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Old Soar Manor

Old Soar Manor is a rare remaining structure of a late 13th-century knight's dwelling. Explore the solar chamber, barrel-vaulted undercroft, chapel and garderobe.