Squerryes Court

Experience the warm welcome of this beautiful 17th Century manor house, still lived in by the descendants of John Warde who purchased Squerryes from the Earl of Jersey in 1731.

Enjoy the fine collection of Old Master paintings from the Italian, 17th Century Dutch and 18th Century English schools, furniture, porcelain and tapestries all acquired or commissioned by the family in the 18th century.

"A pretty, finely wooded, well watered seate, the stables good, the house old but convenient". These were the words written by John Evelyn the diarist when he visited the medieval Squerryes in 1658.

The house existing in 1216 was lived in by the de Squerie family until the middle of the 15th Century. This family had a squirrel for their crest and it is thought they took their name from the place.

In 1681 the old building was pulled down by Sir Nicholas Crisp and the present fine red brick house built on the same site. In 1700 the 1st Earl of Jersey purchased the house and in 1731 the 3rd Earl sold it to his friend John Warde whose descendants still live here today.

Gardens

The romantic natural style had come into fashion and this is in evidence at Squerryes. The straight lines of the original garden can still be seen in the paths and terracing. The landscaping of the lake and parkland show the influence of the mid- 18th Century.

Following the great storm of 1987, the Warde family decided to restore part of the formal garden using the original plans and the 1719 print as an outline on which to base the ongoing developments.

Coffee, light refreshments and teas served in conservatory and garden from 11.30am to 4.30pm.