There's more to Penshurst

There's more to Penshurst than Penshurst Place. On a drizzly February day I had to visit Southborough near to Tunbridge Wells to collect a lens that had been repaired, another story in itself. Not to miss out on a chance to take a few pictures I went to nearby Penshurst, a charming Kentish village. I knew that Penshurst Place, the star attraction of the village would be closed for the winter, but I had realised there was more to be seen there. The part of the village I really wanted to see was Leicester Square, a mediaeval courtyard just outside the entrance to Penshurst Place.

This very pretty square is at the entrance to the church. The original Leicester Square dated to the 15th century, with later additions by George Devey. Many examples by this famous 19th century architect can be seen throughout the village. Leicester Square, London, was the London address for the Sidney family until the 18th century.The building on the left is the old post office with unusual 1940's Post box with the warning not to put Coins or articles of value in the box. Obviously even back then they didn't trust the postman! .At one time it was the home and workplace of the village tailor William Eagleton from Chiddingstone. He was the postmaster as well, and both businesses were carried out there by more than one generation of the family.

The timbered building on the right was the home of Ellen "Nellie" Barber. I quote from the website Encyclopedia Titanica

"Miss Ellen "Nellie" Barber, 26, was born in Penshurst, Tonbridge, England, where her father lived at The Square.

She boarded the Titanic at Southampton as maid to Mrs Tyrell William Cavendish. Her last permanent residence was in Stafford. She travelled on the Cavendish's ticket (No. 19877). Mrs Cavendish and Miss Barber were rescued in lifeboat 6. She sent a Marconigramm to her parents' address, it was transmitted at 9.40 pm, probably on 18 April 1912:"

Through the arch is the church of St John the Baptist.The "Tour of Penshurst Website" states 'There was almost certainly a church on the site of St. John the Baptist, Penshurst before the Norman Conquest. We do know that in 1170. Thomas a Becket appointed a rector, Willelmus, as the first priest of the parish. There is some evidence to suggest the foundation to be 860AD and in 2004 many Saxon artefacts were unearthed on adjoining land which might also support this. 

Note in the churchyard in front of the porch is a large stone table which was used once a year to distribute money to the needy of the village. Also note, for more notorious reasons, the grave of Richard Sax under a yew tree near the bottom of some steps as you enter the churchyard under the arch. Mr Sax was a farmer who was brutally murdered in 1813 following an argument with a farm labourer who worked on the estate of Baden-Powell (the founder of the world scout movement).'

'Entering the church via the porch you open a 15th century door and possibly the first things a visitor notices are the delightful chancel screen carved from Penshurst Oak and erected in 1897 
as a memorial to 2nd Viscount Hardinge, the 15th century font, brightly painted as it was originally and the bell ropes. The oldest of the bells was cast before 1400 and still rings out over the village today.

Detailed information on the interior of the church is to be found in a booklet entitled ‘Penshurst Church and Village’, available for purchase when visiting the church.'

On a beam over the archway between the church and Leicester Square, and facing the church is the inscription "My flesh also shall rest in hope"

After my look at Leicester Square I did have a look at Penshurst Place, albeit a distant one. Through the main gateway is a drive that runs along parallel with an enormous hedge that fortunately does have a wrought iron gate in it. I pressed my face to the gate to get a fleeting glimpse of the house which was closed for the winter. I shall probably return here in the summer to join the hordes of tourists visiting this historic landmark.

To give a brief insight into a couple of connections to Leicester Square, and the The Leicester Arms I quote an extract from the Penshurst Place website.

Pensurst Place was left to Henry VIII's successor, Edward VI, to settle the fate of Penshurst. In 1552, he made a gift of it to his loyal steward and tutor, Sir William Sidney. Throughout the turbulent years of Tudor and later, Stuart rule, the Sidney's served at Court and in government. Their influence increased further when Sir William's son, Henry Sidney, married Lady Mary Dudley, whose powerful family included the Duke of Northumberland and Robert Dudley, Earl of Leicester, a favourite and, possibly, the one great love, of Queen Elizabeth

One can tell that Penshurst is on the tourist trail as it has two of the quintessentially English premises, the Tea Room. As neither was open I can't pass any judgement about their fare of their hospitality. They are Fir Tree House Tearooms, and Quaintways Tearooms. The one local business I did visit was the very unusual Forge Stores and Garage, which was originally the blacksmiths,  it has a prominent horseshoe shaped wooden arch over the shop.

So despite the inclement weather my day was an interesting one.There is certainly much more to Penshurst than Penshurst Place!