Upton House & Gardens

Upton House is a late seventeenth century house, built of the mellow local stone, which was remodelled by Walter Samuel, 2nd Viscount Bearsted, after his purchase of the property in 1927. The son of the founder of Shell, he was one of the great art collectors of the period. He left his collections, the house and the magnificent gardens to the National Trust in 1948

Within the house, the rooms retain the feel of the 1920s and 1930s. The colour schemes of the period provide a fine backdrop for the internationally important collections of paintings, which include works by Stubbs, Bruegel, Hogarth, Canaletto, El Greco and Bosch. Lord Bearsted's tastes are also reflected in his porcelain collection of eighteenth century Chelsea figures and Sevres tableware.

The garden is spectacular in all seasons, taking full advantage of the surprises created by the natural lie of the land, with wide lawns near the house and terraces descending to pools in the valley. The terraces are full of colourful herbaceous borders and a highly productive kitchen garden. Late colour is provided by the National Collection of Asters (Michaelmas daisies). From a spring in the Monk's Well, water fills the channels which flow through the Bog Garden, created in the 1930s and full of moisture loving plants, into the ornamental pools, once stocked with fish for the table, but now with various species of goldfish.

New for 2007: new shop, plant centre and visitor reception. Stubbs 'in-focus' display. Restored Lady Bearsted's Bedroom open to visitors.

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