Photo source: Acediscovery, CC BY 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
About this place
North Court was built in 1615 by Sir John Leigh, deputy governor of the Isle of Wight, replacing an earlier monastic building on the site.
It is the largest of the island's Jacobean manor houses.
The grounds retain a serpentine mount and walks laid out in the seventeenth century.
Sir Henry Percy Gordon later expanded the estate to around 2,500 acres across five farms.
John and Christine Harrison bought North Court in 1984 and have restored the house and its gardens, which are recognised as of national importance.
The poet Algernon Swinburne was a frequent visitor to the house.
History
The present house was built by Sir John Leigh, deputy governor of the Isle of Wight, replacing an earlier monastic building on the site. It later passed to Sir Henry Percy Gordon, who expanded the estate to around 2,500 acres across five farms. John and Christine Harrison bought North Court in 1984 and have since restored the house and its gardens.
Architecture
The house is one of the Isle of Wight's Jacobean manor houses, with surviving seventeenth-century garden features including a serpentine mount.
Worth knowing
Algernon Swinburne, the Victorian poet, was a frequent visitor to North Court. A wing was added to the house in 1905 for General R. W. Disney Leigh and his wife.
Gardens & grounds
The gardens, restored by the current owners since 1984, have been recognised as of national importance and retain elements of their seventeenth-century design.
Plan your visit
Nearest station: Eythorne Station (East Kent Railway) (1.9 miles)
Nearby properties
St Clement's Church, Knowlton
View St Clement's Church, Knowlton on heritage mapAll Saints Church, Waldershare
View All Saints Church, Waldershare on heritage mapSt Peter's Church, Sandwich
View St Peter's Church, Sandwich on heritage mapSt Mary's Church, Sandwich
View St Mary's Church, Sandwich on heritage mapHistoric places nearby
Within 5 miles of North Court there are 8 historic properties, including 4 churchs, 2 castles and 2 historic houses, across Churches Conservation Trust, English Heritage and Historic Houses sites.
Within 10 miles of North Court there are 22 historic properties, including 8 churchs, 7 historic buildings and 3 castles, across English Heritage, Churches Conservation Trust and Historic Houses sites.
Within 20 miles of North Court there are 27 historic properties, including 9 historic buildings, 9 churchs and 5 historic houses, across English Heritage, Churches Conservation Trust and Historic Houses sites.
Facts
A Jacobean manor on monastic foundations, with gardens Swinburne once wandered and a family still restoring both house and grounds.
- Type
- historic house
- Location
- Isle of Wight, England
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