DAYSOUT
MEDIEVAL MARVELS AT PENSHURST PLACE
Found in the Weald of Kent, Penshurst Place and Gardens( penshurstplace. com) has been home to the Sidney family since 1552, when it was granted to Sir William Sidney by King Henry VIII. Spanning more than 470 years, the family’ s remarkable heritage is found throughout the estate and even to this day the present family still resides in a private section of the house.
While the Sidney family’ s legacy is extensive, the house itself has an even earlier history. Originally built in 1341 for Sir John de Pulteney, a wealthy merchant from London, one of the estate’ s first features to be built was the magnificent Baron’ s Hall, a room not to be missed.
Recognised as one of the world’ s finest surviving medieval halls, the Baron’ s Hall immediately transports visitors back to the 14thcentury. Inside, you’ ll find the original 60-foot-high sweet chestnut roof and a central iron hearth, making it one of Kent’ s most impressive examples of living history, with barely any changes since first being built.
From the hall, make your way up the ancient curved stone staircase, a marvel in itself, to the state rooms, where you’ ll discover the Long Gallery. Built in the 16th century as part of an Elizabethan addition, this impressive gallery stretches across the first floor, its walls lined with an extensive collection of Sidney family portraits, each one preserving the people that once walked these very halls centuries ago.
The Long Gallery has also served as a filming location for historical dramas including Wolf Hall and The Other Boleyn Girl. Filled with both historic and contemporary forms of art, the space brings Penshurst Place’ s history that little bit closer to your experience.
THE WARTIME TUNNELS OF DOVER CASTLE
Looking out across the English Channel, high atop the White Cliffs of Dover sits Dover Castle( english-heritage. org. uk), often referred to as the‘ Key of England’. The landmark is seen as England’ s mightiest castle, having commanded the Strait of Dover for centuries and it continues to stand as one of the most important strongholds in the country.
The castle is intertwined with both ancient and modern history. Its earliest fortifications began in the 11th century under William the Conqueror, who came to secure Dover after his victory at the Battle of Hastings. Although no visible remains of the original fortification survive, the castle we see today was established by Henry II between 1179 and 1189.
Over the course of the decade, Henry II created one of the most advanced castle designs in Europe, combining formidable defensive features with surprisingly comfortable, liveable conditions. More than 840 years later, Dover Castle continues to be seen as a beacon of Kent’ s defensive heritage.
Inside the castle, visitors can descend into a labyrinth of secret wartime tunnels. First used during the Napoleonic War, these underground passages later served as a military headquarters and hospital during World War II.
While exploring the tunnels, visitors can embark on an immersive tour that transports them back to 1940. In the darkness of the tunnels, you will discover where Operation Dynamo, the mastermind plan behind the Dunkirk evacuation, was created. Brought to life with archival film footage and special effects, the interactive experience recreates the tension and historical importance of those harrowing days.
PENSHURST PLACE
MEDIEVAL BARON’ S HALL AT PENSHURST PLACE DOVER CASTLE WARTIME TUNNELS
40 • www. insidekent. co. uk