Godinton House facts for kids
Godinton House is a beautiful old house with amazing gardens, located near Ashford, Kent in the UK. It's also known as Godinton House and Gardens or Godinton Park. This special place is owned by a trust, which is like a group that makes sure the house and gardens are kept safe and wonderful for everyone to enjoy. It's about 2 miles (3.2 km) north-west of Ashford town centre.
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Exploring Godinton House
Godinton House is a very old brick building. It has a special look called Jacobean style. This style was popular in England during the early 1600s. The roof has unique "Dutch gables," which are fancy, stepped shapes. The house was built around an even older medieval hall.
Inside the House
When you step inside, you'll see amazing details. The main staircase is a real highlight. It has beautiful carvings made from chestnut wood. The house also has a special Steinway piano. You can also find one of the best private collections of porcelain in the south of England here.
The Wonderful Gardens
The gardens at Godinton House are just as impressive as the house itself. They feature one of the longest yew hedges in all of England! This hedge is shaped to match the unique gables on the house. The gardens also burst with color from beautiful flowers like delphiniums, irises, wild flowers, and roses.
A Look at Godinton's History
Godinton House has a long and interesting past. For over 450 years, from 1440 to 1895, it was the home of the Toke family. Imagine living in the same house for so many generations!
Changes and Updates
Around the year 1900, a new owner named Mr. Ashley Dodd wanted to update the house. He hired a famous architect named Sir Reginald Blomfield. Sir Reginald helped redesign the house and also planned the beautiful gardens. He was the one who planted that famous long yew hedge!
Preserving Godinton's Future
In 1991, the last owner of Godinton, Major Alan Wyndham-Green, did something very important. He set up the Godinton House Preservation Trust. This trust is a special group dedicated to protecting and caring for the house and its parklands. After Major Wyndham-Green passed away in 1996, the Trust continued his work. They make sure Godinton House stays beautiful and open for future generations to enjoy.
