Chiddingstone Castle and Hall Place – May 2017

Chiddingstone Castle has seen many architectural changes since it was built in the early 1500s and has been owned by numerous people including Lord Astor. It was purchased by Denys Eyre Bowers in 1955 to house his fascinating and varied collection of over 8000 artefacts which range from Ancient Egyptian antiquities to Jacobite memorabilia. It remains the property of the trust.

We leave Ashtead, later than usual, at 9.30 and, on arrival at Chiddingstone, tea/coffee and biscuits will be served. We will split into two groups for the guided tour. The first group will set off at 11.00 and the second at 12.00. When not on the guided tour, you may explore the gardens or take a better look at the collections. It is also an opportunity to walk across the grounds to the pretty village of Chiddingstone, now owned by the National Trust.

After a ploughman’s lunch at the castle – when you buy your ticket for the visit you will be asked to choose whether you would like the main ingredient to be cheese, pâté, ham or local sausage – we leave at 2.00 for Hall Place.

Built in 1537 for Sir John Champneys, a wealthy merchant and former Lord Mayor of London, the house was doubled in size by a 17th century owner so has an interesting mix of styles. The River Cray runs through the attractive gardens which boast some extraordinary topiary. It is now the property of the Bexley Heritage Trust.

There is no guided tour so you explore the house on your own. There is not much furniture to see but items from the local history museum are usually displayed and there is an excellent permanent exhibition showcasing Hall Place’s part in World War II. Codenamed Santa Fe, it was a US Army Signals Corps station intercepting German communications and worked with Bletchley Park.

Tea is not included in the ticket price but there is a pleasant café. We aim to leave for home at 4.30.