Penshurst Place

Penshurst, England, United Kingdom

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Penshurst Place, located in Kent, United Kingdom, is a well-preserved medieval manor house originally built in 1341 for Sir John de Pulteney, a London merchant and Lord Mayor, as a country residence near London. Over centuries, it has been owned by notable figures, including Henry IV’s son John, Duke of Bedford, and the Dukes of Buckingham.

After the execution of Edward Stafford, 3rd Duke of Buckingham, in 1521, the estate became crown property, with Henry VIII using it as a hunting lodge and a place where he courted Anne Boleyn. In 1552, King Edward VI granted Penshurst Place to Sir William Sidney, whose family has owned it ever since. The Sidney family expanded the estate, adding features such as the famous Long Gallery and creating one of England’s oldest private gardens, with records dating back to 1346.

The place is also notable as the birthplace of the Elizabethan poet Sir Philip Sidney. Today, Penshurst Place remains a historic home open to the public part of the year, showcasing medieval state rooms, an extensive collection of art and furniture, and beautiful gardens, while still being owned by the Sidney family.