A medieval manor still lived in today
Penshurst Place
The story
Penshurst Place has been the home of the Sidney family since 1552 — and they still live here today. The house is older still: its magnificent Baron's Hall dates from 1341, with a chestnut roof that has stood for nearly 700 years.
The house has starred in films and television, from The Other Boleyn Girl to Wolf Hall. The walled gardens are divided into 'rooms' by a mile of yew hedging, some of it planted in Elizabethan times.
What you'll see
- The 14th-century Baron's Hall with its ancient chestnut roof
- A mile of Elizabethan yew hedging in the walled gardens
- The Long Gallery and state rooms
- A filming location for Wolf Hall and The Other Boleyn Girl
Paul's take
"Penshurst is the hidden gem of the four. The Baron's Hall takes your breath away — you stand where medieval banquets were held — and because it's still a family home, it has a warmth the grander houses sometimes lack."
Visit Penshurst Place with Paul
Pair it with another of Kent's great houses and a country pub lunch — £299 for up to 4 people, your day, your way.