The medieval moated house of Ightham Mote is a Grade I listed building in Kent, England. Over the winter months, part of the house is closed to the public, but part of it is decorated at Christmas. This was my first visit to Ightham Mote, so I was unable to see most of the house but did get to see a lot of the ground floor, but it was much too busy to look at anything or talk to the volunteers about the history. I do hope to return when it is open to learn more about it instead of just paying a fleeting visit.
Ightham Mote was probably built in the mid-1300s, and it was sold to the Selby family in the late 1500s. The house was rented out to American Railroad man William Jackson Palmer in the late 1800s and then became a centre for artists and writers before being put up for sale in the late 1800s after the death of Selby family. The property would pass hands again before being purchased in 1953 by an American who had known the property during his time in World War II. He had made repairs to the house, and he gave the property to the National Trust, which took possession in 1985 when he passed away. From the late 1980s, the property underwent a several-year conservation project, and this uncovered some new features as well as gave the house a new lease of life as it was in need of repair.
The house is beautiful and contains an inner courtyard and rooms that appear to have been added on at different stages of its life. The Great Hall is the most ellaborate room (pictured above).
The exterior of the property is also attractive as a timber-framed and brick building with a moat surrounding it.
Christmas trees and decorations really gave the house a festive atmosphere, and I hope to be going back to visit it next spring so I can read and learn about it and view the rest of the house.
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