Godmersham Park
| Godmersham Park | |
|---|---|
Godmersham Park
|
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| Alternative names | Godmersham Hall |
| General information | |
| Type | House |
| Architectural style | Georgian |
| Classification | Grade I listed |
| Location | Godmersham, Kent |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Coordinates |
51°13′14″N 0°57′01″E / 51.22056°N 0.95028°E TR 0612 5100 |
| Current tenants | Association of British Dispensing Opticians |
| Completed | 1732 |
| Renovated | 1780, 1852, 1935 |
| Height | |
| Roof | Slate |
| Technical details | |
| Material | Brick |
| Floor count | Two |
| Known for | Connections to Jane Austen |
Godmersham Park is a Grade I listed house in Godmersham, Kent, United Kingdom which is famous for its associations with the writer Jane Austen. It is now home to the Association of British Dispensing Opticians.
Godmersham Park is a two storey house built of brick, under a hipped slate roof containing an attic. The fenestration is arranged in bays of two, three and two. Each wing is of brick, of two storeys with a slate hipped roof, with fenestration a single bay of five windows.
Godmersham Park was built in 1732 for Thomas May, replacing an earlier house. In 1742, by which time May had changed his name to Knight, he inclosed a park around the estate, which was then known as Ford Park. The wings were added in 1780. Knight died in 1781 and the estate was inherited by his son Thomas. Following his death in 1794, the house was inherited by Edward Austen, brother of Jane Austen. He was a cousin of the Knights and had been adopted by them in the early 1780s. 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. In 1852, the property passed to Knight's son. He remodelled the south front. Godmersham Park was later sold to John Cunliffe Lister Kay, who died in 1917. It passed to his nephew John Cunliffe Lister, who sold it in 1921 to William Legge. In 1935, Godmersham Park was sold to Mr and Mrs Tritton, who restored the house. Walter Sarel remodelled the building, much of the interior being replaced using genuine Eighteenth century features recovered from building across England. Norah Lindsay advised on restoration of the walled gardens. Robert Tritton died in 1957. Following the death of Elsie Tritton in 1983, Godmersham Park was sold to John Sunley. In 1992, it was leased to (name of company).
In 2001, Godmersham Park became the home of the Association of British Dispensing Opticians, in which capacity is is used as a training college.
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