Belmont House and Gardens

The beautiful Georgian house of Belmont, amid its parkland, commands stunning views of the rolling Kent countryside and is a completely unspoilt and distinctive example of the work of the architect Samuel Wyatt. In 1801, the house was bought at public auction by General George Harris (later Lord Harris) who had defeated the Tipu, Sultan of Mysore in 1799 at the battle of Seringapatam. The acquisition was made with prize money from his successful military career. Belmont contains fabulous mementos of the family's history and travels - paintings, furniture, Indian silverware and perhaps the finest private clock collection in the country. There is also a unique collection of water-colour landscape paintings set in the West Indies by the Trinidadian artist Michel Jean Cazabon (1813-1888). The paintings were commissioned by the 3rd Lord Harris when he was Governor of Trinidad. Don't leave without a delicious cup of tea with a slice of homemade cake in our courtyard tea room. This is available at the weekend only during season. The tearoom is self-service Monday to Friday. Light lunches are served on Wednesdays. During the year Belmont hosts a wide variety of events from cookery demonstrations and bushcraft days to open air theatre and seasonal fairs/markets. Please check the website for the most up to date information. The house can be viewed by guided tour on Wednesdays, Saturdays and Sundays from April to September.