Old Soar Manor dates from the 13th century, and it was a wealthy knight's dwelling that was built as a stronghold or fortified home. It is a rare example of this type of structure with vaulted undercroft, chapel, and garderobe. The manor is located in Kent on the edge of the North Downs. The Culpepper family, who was a leading Kent family at the time, owned the house. Today, it is maintained by the National Trust and belongs to English Heritage.
Visitors have to walk through the vaulted undercroft to the stairs to get to the solar.
The solar is a large room with a lot of natural light. A wooden door is located behind glass, and drawings on the door can be seen. I am not sure what period the figures date from, but I could clearly see two "hangmen" and a knight.
The chapel:
The Great Hall of the house was demolished in the later-1700s and replaced by a farmhouse, so only a section of the house exists. The solar, chapel, and latrine remain to visit.
Leave a comment