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Exhibition: Ightham at War

The Ightham at War: Prisoners With Parallel Fates exhibition tells the extraordinary stories of two men at war —one a captured British soldier, the other a downed German pilot— both connected by Ightham Mote.

  • Booking not needed
  • Free event (admission applies)

This exhibition, curated to commemorate the 80th anniversary of Victory in Europe, highlights the personal stories of Sir James Colyer-Fergusson, who earnt a distinguished war record before returning to, and eventually inheriting, Ightham Mote, and Helmut Ortner, the survivor of the crash of a Messerschmitt airplane on the Ightham Mote estate on 15 August 1940.

Through personal photographs, letters, and wartime memories the exhibition brings to life the stories of those who lived, fought and found refuge at Ightham Mote during World War II.

Times

Prices

Event ticket prices

This event is free, but normal admission charges apply for the venue.

Check admission prices

The basics

Suitability

Children welcome

Meeting point

This exhibition runs throughout the house with a special display in the Coach House.

Upcoming events

Event

Saving Ightham: celebrating 40 years of Ightham Mote's legacy 

This year marks the 40th anniversary of Charles Henry Robinson gifting Ightham Mote to the National Trust.

Event summary

on
24 May to 2 Nov 2025
at
10:00 to 16:30
+ 162 other dates or times
Event

Teddy Bears Picnic 

If you go down to the Mote today...

Event summary

on
24 May to 1 Jun 2025
at
10:00 to 17:00
+ 8 other dates or times
Event

VE Day 80: Wartime Weekend 

A celebratory weekend that takes us back 80 years to wartime Kent with Up an At ‘Em!’s fun interactive history sessions and a rousing Big Band picnic finale.

Event summary

on
24 May to 25 May 2025
at
10:00 to 17:00
+ 1 other date or time
Event

VE Day 80: World War II book stall 

Uncover the stories that shaped a generation at our pop-up book stall.

Event summary

on
24 May to 25 May 2025
at
10:30 to 16:00
+ 1 other date or time