Port Lympne Mansion & Gardens commisioned by Sir Philip Sassoon

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About Port Lympne Mansion & Gardens commisioned by Sir Philip Sassoon

Sir Philip Sassoon
One of the best-known and most glamorous figures in Britain in the early part of the twentieth century, Philip was the most eligible bachelor of this age and the greatest host of his time. He was sophisticated, with his knowledge of the world, ranging from bridge to art a subject he became heavily involved with during his career.

As a descendant of Aline de Rothschild upon the death of his father, Philip became very wealthy and a considerable property owner. He lived in a great huge Mansion in the centre of London, number 25 Park Lane, and owned two country houses; Trent Park, where his ashes are scattered, was thirteen miles from the centre of London in New Barnet (which he extensively altered) but Port Lympne was purposely built in his constituency as a retreat on land once occupied by the Romans. He sold his parents ‘Shorncliffe Lodge’ in Sandgate and purchased a grand site of 270 acres near the village of Lympne, overlooking Romney Marsh as well as the Channel – France is clearly visible.

Architects involved
In 1912 Sir Herbert Baker was commissioned to build the house, and it was ready the following year. Although Baker was from Kent, at the time he seemed a strange choice. Baker had made a considerable reputation in South Africa. The house, built in the shape of an H, was designed in Baker’s South African style, known as Dutch Colonial, with its echoes of the seventeenth century, in russet-coloured brick and with Dutch gables. The Mansion had four reception rooms, two libraries, thirteen principal bedrooms, eight bathrooms, as well as seventeen staff bedrooms with five bathrooms. The balustrades in front of the house incorporate Philip’s initials, in and Elizabethan style. The estate included two further houses – The French house now a B&B and Danhurst as well as two lodges, a cottage and a separate garage building with four bedrooms. Philip saw his house as a country retreat where he would spend much of August and September entertaining extensively guests from the arts & craft world, actors, Politian’s and royalty.

This year, 2012, marks the 100 anniversary of the start of the construction of the Mansion and Gardens at Port Lympne. Originally the house was called Belcaire but Philip changed its name to Port Lympne after the war, echoing Portus Lemanis, Lympne’s ancient name as a Roman fort. The garden designed by Philip Tilden really echoes the Italian tradition with terraced gardens with Macracarpa hedges and introduced a 'Roman' neo-classical staircase known as the Trojan Steps. Philip Tilden also worked on an extension with the house, 'filling' the back of the H with a Moorish Patio.

So please share your fabulous photos of the house with other Sassoon Fans.

Other information
- The Sassoon’s colours were orange and purple and he was the Air Commodore of 601 Squadron (1933) were based in Folkestone. The airstrip is now an industrial site.
- After his death Sybil organised a very small private funeral at Golders Green Crematorium on 5th June 1939. 'His ashes were scattered by plane over Trent Park while fighter planes roared over the house, dipping and circling'

Port Lympne Mansion technical information
- The Mansion is a Grade: II*
- Date Listed: 29 December 1966
- English Heritage Building ID: 175584
- Monument number: 464044
- OS Grid Reference: TR1021934985
- OS Grid Coordinates: 610219, 134985
- Latitude/Longitude: 51.0757, 0.9996
- Location: B2067, Lympne, Kent CT21 4PD
- Replanting of the garden by Russell Page took place during the 1970s.

The Trojan Staircase are also Grade: II
Date Listed: 29 December 1966
English Heritage Building ID: 175585
OS Grid Reference: TR1017834996
OS Grid Coordinates: 610178, 134996
Latitude/Longitude: 51.0758, 0.9990

Book references
Thanks to Peter Stansky's nephew for alerting me to Peters' book and for his words found in the book ‘Sassoon. The worlds of Philip and Sybil’ ISBN 0-300-09547-3 published by www.yalebooks.com

Norah Lindsay: the life and art of a garden designer; was a dear friend to Philip advising him on his Trent House and was hired to design the grand herbaceous border and planting along the front of the Port Lympne Mansion. ISBN 978-07112-2525-4 published by www.francislincoln.com

References to Tilden appear in Churchill & Chartwell: the untold story of Churchill's houses and gardens ISBN 978-0-7112-2535-0
By Stefan Buczacki

http://www.aspinallfoundation.org