Upton’s next transformation launches in March 2017

Sketch by artists of terrace are with tree and shrubs — The architect's vision for the west terrace

Following Upton’s successful second world war presentation and the Bearsted’s last years as owners, the clock is turned back to the very day they bought the house. From 25 March, ninety years to-the-day Lord Bearsted bought Upton, we will be opening as if it was 1927 and you will be invited to walk in their shoes and enter the house for a viewing with the land agent.

Making plans for a new beginning

Conservation work and investigation by our staff team and an architectural historian have helped us understand more about the building and give a new picture of how the house has been changed over time. Extensive research by volunteer teams has revealed more new stories we are able to share.

New designs for the new look and feel are underway – here’s a sneaky preview of what’s to come…

Drawings and designs laid out on table — Plans for the new 1920s look and feel are well underway

In their shoes

Visitors will be invited to come to a very special house viewing – just as Lord and Lady Bearsted did 90 years ago. Upton had great potential but was in need of modernization.

Discover a home that’s Made to Measure

Come and follow the renovations and witness the before and after as the Bearsteds create a made to measure family home, fit to showcase Lord Bearsted’s world class art collection. His passion for paintings meant he filled his home, gallery style and showed works by Bosch, Stubbs, El Greco; as well as fine porcelain. There will be interesting exhibitions along the route exploring the history of the era and the fashionable trends of the day.

Building work and blooms

Every ideal home needs a spectacular feature garden. Lady Bearsted’s passion for plants bloomed as she planned new borders and helped design some of the garden architectural features. Turning the garden from working garden to a display garden with a grand stone staircase, with double descending steps enabling you to explore the planting along the terraces. There are early spring bulbs, lavish herbaceous planting and thriving kitchen garden to explore throughout the year in the gardens.

Sketch of Upton gardens in pastels — An early sketch for the garden's structural design by architect Percy Morley Horder

Exhibitions that explore the era

A range of photographic exhibitions and Shell advertising posters from the 1920s will change throughout the year, shedding new light what life was life for a home buyer in the late 1920s. Be inspired by displays of fabrics, wallpapers and examples of exquisite taste. Understand about fashion trends and what it takes to create the perfect made to measure home.

Launching on 25 March 2017

The new presentation will launch 90 years to the day when Lord Bearsted bought the house. Upton became a showcase for his growing art collection and an example of the fashionable country lifestyle of a millionaire in the early 20^th century.