Under new ownership
Lord and Lady Bearsted already knew the local area and when Upton came on the market in 1927 they seized the opportunity to make Upton their country residence.
The building work soon began. Lord Bearsted employed architect Percy Morley Horder to create a scheme to transform the Victorian country house into a ‘made-to-measure’ home. With tasteful mod-cons, home comforts and a place to showcase his growing art collection.
“There is a curious satisfaction in making your home to measure, shaping it neatly round the possessions and habits that fill so large a part of everyday life.” The Ideal Home magazine 1927.
Follow the renovations
Viewings of the house are at regular intervals throughout the day. Please book your viewing time on arrival.
The Land Agent will welcome you at the door, and then you are free to explore the rooms and see the story of how a made-to-measure home has been created. From engaging your architect and choosing interior fixtures and fittings to starting the build. For the British people, rich or poor, the idea of home took on new importance after the First World War.
Upton in miniature!
To complement our ‘Made-To-Measure’ project, one of Upton’s volunteers has made us our very own dolls’ house. This Lilliputian version of Upton House is made-to-measure on a 1/12 scale. We would like visitors to join us in making fittings, furnishings, and all manner of late 1920s and early 1930s household miniatures, from jelly moulds to radio wirelesses, to dress this very special doll’s house. If you are a keen crafter and want to join in then please click here for more details. Not leaving anyone out we also have a smaller dolls’ house for children to play with. We’ll be running onsite activities during half term to make items including dolls, perfume bottles and curtains to furnish it.
