HISTORY OF THE MANSION

The Port Lympne Mansion was built in 1912 for the Right Honourable Philip Sassoon, and took the two architects, Herbert Baker and Ernest Willmott two years to construct. The exterior reflects the Dutch Colonial style of architecture and the Mansion was often said to be the last historic house of that century. The walls are made from 2 and a half inch bricks, the roof from old Kent tiles and the window frames from solid oak.

The interior was designed to Sir Philip's requirements and has the essence of a roman villa, with marble columns, sweeping stone staircase and tessellated hall. The hallway floor is made from black and white marble in concentric curves and is fascinating to the eye. The Mansion was used as a billet for troops during World War II and during this time a lot of the original art work and features were damaged. Since then the Tate Gallery have organised a lot of restoration work and the Mansion is now in its prime.

Contained within the Mansion are many artefacts of differing type. There are examples of ornamented ironwork made by Berub Reynolds and designed by Philip Tilden, who later was also responsible for the Moorish patio and the swimming pool outside (now a decorative pond with fountain). There are many fantastic pieces of art mostly depicting wildlife from across the globe. The Mansion houses three Churchill paintings (loaned by his daughter) which depict the Mansion and the view over the Romney marshes. Of the original artwork designed for the Mansion there is a Glyn Philpot frieze remaining, depicting Egyptians.

There are three mural rooms in the Mansion one painted by Rex Whistler, one by Spencer Roberts and the third by Martin Jordan, the latter of whom incorporated his own experiences of travelling the world and from right here in the Park. Martin Jordan now has the honour of revitalising the other mural rooms when required to do so.