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Wonders of Grade I listed Godinton

3 November 2023

Wonders of Grade I listed Godinton

By Jim Sales Account Executive

A large brick mansion with ornate windows and chimneys, surrounded by lush gardens and trees under a clear sky.

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A chestnut tie beam and crown post are the crowning glory of a little-known Grade I listed house where architect Sir Reginald Blomfield ensured layers of history remain visible.

The most glorious 14^th century chestnut tie beam and crown post grace Grade I listed Godinton House, near Ashford, in Kent.

The property has survived in the most exceptional condition because it has seen so few major changes in ownership – it was the Toke family seat for 400 years until Colonel John Leslie Toke squandered the family’s inheritance.

A Victorian-era family sits in an ornate room, engaged in various activities, with one man raising a glass and another reading a letter.

The Last Day in the Old Home 1862 Robert Braithwaite Martineau 1826-1869 Presented by E.H. Martineau 1896 http://www.tate.org.uk/art/work/N01500

Pre-Raphaelite artist R B Martineau’s ‘Last Day in the Old Home’ (Tate Britain) was painted at Godinton and captures the feckless Colonel Toke in the parlour. Prior to this, his descendants had invested in their home and Godinton’s status grew as they introduced more comfort to the property without stripping away too much of what went before.

A substantially medieval hall house, Godinton was built with a central hearth, and smoke louvres in the roof (as well as soot in the rafters), which confirms its early date to make Godinton one of the most interesting, little known, and well-preserved properties in the county.

The chestnut staircase is of note, richly carved with a unique mix of heraldry and imagery including the lion of England, unicorn of Scotland and dragon of Wales as well as vines depicting Kent’s vineyards. Godinton House manager Chloe West says the carving on the stairs is “one of the wonders of Godinton”. She added: “The balustrading and handrails are also beautifully detailed while stained glass on the landing is a mix of 16^th century Flemish and 15^th century English glass gathered in the early 19^th century.”

The biggest transformation of the house came in the early 17^th century under Capt. Nicholas Toke (1588-1680), but while he kept meticulous farming notes there are few records of the property’s remodelling, except in 1629 when he noted a valuation of 40,000 bricks at £20 and entries for “a fine set of windows”. In 1632, he noted “Plummer [sic] paid for 656lbs of lead about my windows, £7”.

Quality lead rainwater hoppers on the East Front of the house, dated 1628, suggest the peak of his embellishments in the years before the 1642-1651 Civil War.

Mrs West adds: “Captain Toke was a Royalist and rather a flamboyant character; it is believed he served in the West Indies and there is a painting of him in Havana, Cuba, hanging in the dining room. His Great Chamber remains the most original interior with frieze work carried out by European carvers which includes military movements of musketry and pike drills. It is very unusual.

Intricately carved wooden staircase with ornate bannisters and patterned red carpet, leading up beside stained glass windows.

A classic dining room with an elegant wooden table set for a meal, surrounded by ornate chairs and decorated with portraits and lamps.

“Captain Toke also improved the Great Hall by introducing the vaulted ceiling which survives in pristine condition.”

After Captain Toke died, the house barely changed for a century and his nephew John Toke (1738-1819), a minor courtier who became High Sheriff of Kent, made considerable updates including the pretty side porch and the exterior curving Dutch gables. He also transformed the dining room in 1770 and it remains a fine example of Georgian living, furnished with George III and Regency pieces including a William IV dining table and chairs by Robert Mainwaring.

Admired by author Jane Austen

Nicholas Roundell Toke (1764-1837) further enriched Godinton acquiring a Bethersden marble fireplace and doors with Flemish carvings of angel heads. Nicholas was admired by author Jane Austen who met him at neighbouring properties (her brother Edward lived at nearby Godmersham) and she said in a letter to sister Cassandra on November 20, 1800, ‘”here are few people whom I like better …”

Godinton passed to Nicholas’s brother Rev William Toke, then his son Nicholas in 1855 before Col John Leslie Toke (1839-1911) lost Godinton after four centuries of Toke ownership.

Ornate room with wooden walls, a large central table, paintings on the walls, a fireplace, chandelier, and patterned blue rug.

A new era of architectural changes

George Ashley Dodd JP (1841-1917) bought the house in 1895 and employed distinguished architect and garden designer Sir Reginald Blomfield (whose work later included the Memorial to the Missing at Menin Gate in Ypres, Belgium) to produce a new wing, carry out extensive structural alterations, re-model rooms and design the garden in keeping with the period.

The heavy carved wood and dark panelling were complemented by a White Drawing Room in the popular Queen Anne style on the south side of the house with white panels and a marble chimney piece.

A vintage living room features ornate wall paneling, a decorative fireplace, antique furniture, framed art, and classic light fixtures.

“So many layers of architectural history remain visible,” says Mrs West. “The White Room is one of the most commented upon when visitors come to the house. It is in such contrast to the rest of the property – definitely lighter and more elegant with a floral plaster ceiling.

“Sir Reginald really transformed the house. He was related to Mr Dodd by marriage and this opportunity to make his mark on the house continued on and off for more than two decades, making sensitive changes without sweeping away Godinton’s history.

“During those years, Sir Reginald became a well-respected and sought-after architect working on prestigious commissions such as Chequers in Buckinghamshire, the college buildings for Lady Margaret Hall, Oxford, and the United Universities Club in London. He also played a major part in the completion of the Quadrant on London’s Regent Street. He was one of the defining ‘master builders’ of the Edwardian age.

“We like to say that Godinton is where Sir Reginald displayed his best early work, developing a signature style of creating arches and pillars to enhance interiors.”

The Hon Mrs Lillie Bruce Ward

The eldest daughter of 1^st Lord Doverdale, Lillie bought Godinton in 1918 and lived there for the rest of her life. Her father patronised the Royal Worcester China Works and Lillie brought a fine collection of Worcester porcelain to Godinton including rare ‘First Period Dr Wall or ‘Wall’ period porcelain which dates from 1751 to 1783.

Mrs West said: “Lillie saw the house as a place to develop her skills as a hostess, collector, and gardener so the property was once again in good hands. She commissioned Liberty & Co to open the West Wall to the Great Hall and create an intricately carved screen to match the downstairs area. She also transformed the Breakfast Room into the Chinese Room which is decorated with hand-painted Chinese wallpaper.”

Geraldine Wyndham Green (1898-1937)

Lillie’s daughter Geraldine married Capt Wyndham Green, a dashing army officer who had a taste for Bentleys but never really got on with the rest of family at Godinton, nor, sadly, his son Alan.

Geraldine died in 1937, before the age of 40, from pulmonary oedema, and Alan was brought up by his grandmother Lillie.

An ornate room with antique furniture and panelling. Features include an antique desk, chairs, and decorative items.

Portrait of a young man in military uniform, seated with hands crossed, framed in a silver frame.

Major Alan Wyndham Green (1921-1996)

Educated at Cheam, Harrow, and Jesus College, Cambridge, Alan’s agricultural studies were interrupted by the Second World War and Godinton House was used as a rest and recreation centre for sailors and a base for armoured light reconnaissance regiments before D-Day.

After the war, Alan and his grandmother Lillie returned to the house where she brought it back to its former glory, preparing a handover to her grandson.

Alan inherited the house when Lillie died aged 86 in 1952 (the estate did not pass to her son Edward, who had married a wealthy heiress).

Mrs West explains: “With rationing still in place, Mr Alan, as he was fondly known by staff, took on the estate which was being run on rather Victorian lines with very little machinery. A farmer at heart, his study of agriculture proved invaluable and he looked after the estate for 44 years. He would be involved in felling trees, clearing ponds and lambing as well as entertaining and hosting parties.

“As the town of Ashford expanded and Godinton was faced with compulsory purchase in the 1980s, Mr Alan decided to sell some land for development so he could establish the Godinton Charitable Trust to provide the endowment for the preservation of Godinton in perpetuity for the nation.

“Godinton House & Gardens is now cared for by the Godinton House Preservation Trust which honours Mr Alan’s wish that the house retains the warmth of a home. In spring and summer guided tours reveal a house that looks just as Mr Alan left it.”

Naturalistic planting meets Blomfield’s green architecture

In an oasis of tranquillity, sheep graze in the Grade II* listed parkland dotted with oaks and chestnut trees.

Medieval in origin, the early park was centred to the north east of the house. In Captain Toke’s time the farmland also laid to the north, featured barns, stocked fishponds and orchards.

The present landscape in the naturalistic planting style of Capability Brown was introduced in the 18^th century with fine views of the house created by new carriage drives.

Sir Reginald Blomfield’s surviving garden plans are among the earliest of his works and remain the framework of today’s gardens. He was an exponent of the revival of the 17th century formal garden and he introduced terraces, a rose garden, pond and a yew-hedged forecourt. The yew hedge is one of the longest in the country and clipped to echo the striking Dutch gables of Godinton House.

Godinton’s early history

The earliest family associated with Godinton is the ‘de Godynton’, who in common with many Norman families took their names, like a title, from the property they owned. Alan de Godynton was lord of the manor in 1347 and his son William also lived at Godynton before the property was sold to brothers Richard and John Champneys.

The Champneys sold the estate to the Goldwells in 1405. In 1474, William and Avice Goldwell’s daughter married Thomas Toke and brought the Goldwell inheritance of Goldwell Manor into the Toke family.

Thomas left a son, John, who in 1495 was granted an augmentation of three greyhounds to the family coat of arms for carrying dispatches for the King. Henry VII sent John with a message to the King of France and when John returned before the King realised he had started the journey he was rewarded for his swiftness. John was succeeded by his son, grandson and great grandson before the succession of Captain Nicholas Toke in 1627.

Godinton House & Gardens is open Tuesday to Sunday from the beginning of April to the end of September. Visit godintonhouse.co.uk

The story of Grade 1 Godinton House is one of care and enrichment, through sympathetic ownership, that has cared for the home and the gardens alike.

At Abode, we’re listed property specialists who truly understand the work and perseverance that goes into maintaining a listed property. To speak to us about insurance that ensures your property is properly protected call us on 01622 476433 or contact us and our friendly team will be pleased to talk to you about your needs.

Wonders of Grade I listed Godinton

Admired by author Jane Austen

A new era of architectural changes

The Hon Mrs Lillie Bruce Ward

Geraldine Wyndham Green (1898-1937)

Major Alan Wyndham Green (1921-1996)

Naturalistic planting meets Blomfield’s green architecture

Godinton’s early history

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