Things to see and do at Owletts

The red brick house at Owletts with large sash windows against a blue sky — The house at Owletts | © National Trust Images/Jo Hatcher

Explore the rooms and grounds of Owletts, an impressive 17th-century manor house and a fine example of Kent vernacular architecture. The influence of celebrated architect Sir Herbert Baker, born here in 1862, is evident throughout the house.

Living room

Sir Herbert's connection to the British Empire is very much in evidence in this room, with his 'travel blog' watercolour and the impressive empire clock – one of only five ever commissioned.

Dining room

When you look at the finials on the chairs in this room, Sir Herbert’s sense of humour becomes clear, as each was designed as a 'caricature' of the different family members.

Alfred, who was always naughty, is depicted as a little monkey, whilst Ann is shown with a bible as well as with her tongue out to show she was both naughty and nice.

First floor ceiling

The plaster ceiling on the first floor has the date 1684 in the centre, along with the initials of the original owners. It ornately depicts scrolls, leaves, flowers and fruit.

With all these intricate details, it’s a painstakingly slow process to clean the ceiling – when our conservation team last did so, it took them over a week to complete.

The garden

The garden areas are currently closed for work to restore planting.

The lawns are highlighted by some signature trees, such as the Cedar of Lebanon that Sir Herbert planted on Christmas Day 1945, the winter before he died. His son, Henry, planted a walnut tree in the 1990s.

There is a grass tennis court, and beyond, into the Filbert Platt, there are apple and cobnut trees, a willow dome planted in 2013, a wishing tree for hanging ribbons on, and a swing large enough for adults to enjoy.

View along a path at Owletts, with flowering plants alongside it — Part of the garden at Owletts | © National Trust Images/David Sellman

There is also a Gertrude Jekyll border, a sunken herb garden, and a pond.

Garden buildings

There are many buildings around the garden, including a greenhouse, potting shed and the remains of a hothouse in which the previous ladies of the house grew ferns and exotics.

The structure of the hothouse has been uncovered, along with the boiler room and the space where the pipes once carried the hot water from the boiler is visible. A very old grapevine still grows, which a family legend says originated from a vine at Hampton Court.