Godmersham Park Heritage Centre
Godmersham Park Heritage Centre holds information and artifacts relating to the parishes of Godmersham and Crundale, as well as the Godmersham Park Estate. A small exhibition hall documents the history of the two villages and Godmersham Park.
The House was built in 1732 and was once the home of Edward Knight, brother to the novelist Jane Austen. The Heritage Centre provides information on its interesting past.
Our team...
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Trustees
Fiona Sunley
Ben Palmer
Margaret Smyth
Greg Ellis
Rebecca Lilley
Jeremy Robson
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Administrator
Claire Farrar
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Charity No 1123575
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Godmersham Park Heritage Centre
The Granary
Godmersham Park
Godmersham
Kent
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01227 732272
07395 800987
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The House is not open to the public.
However, tours of the Heritage Centre, St Lawrence the Martyr Church and Godmersham Park Gardens are available for groups of 6 or more via our booking system for £10 per person.
The Heritage Centre and St Lawrence the Martyr Church also offer a tour on the second Thursday of each month. Please see our booking page for details.
Latest News: The Heritage Centre will be open on Easter Monday, 1st April, from 09.00 - 12.30
Visit us
Godmersham Park Heritage Centre holds information and memrobelia from the parishes of Godmersham and Crundale as well as Godmersham Park's links with Jane Austen.
We ask that visitors pay an entrance fee of £3 per person
The Heritage Centre is open on
Mondays & Thursdays
09.00 - 13.00
Last admission is at 12.30
Visiting us:
The Heritage Centre is located behind St Lawrence the Martyr Church in Godmersham. In addition to our opening on Mondays and Thursdays, we are also open on Bank Holiday Mondays. We offer a monthly tour of the Heritage Centre, Church and Godmersham Park Gardens, which does not include a tour of the House, which is the home to the Association of British Dispensing Opticians College. However, outside of term time, we are occasionally able to offer tours of the House. Please contact us for details via the Heritage Centre e-mail address.
Susanna Sackree Memorial
Today, 2nd March 2024 marks the 173rd anniversary of the
passing of Susanna Sackree. Susanna was employed as nurse
to Edward Austen Knight's children and became a much-loved
part of family life at Godmersham. Jane Austen frequently mentions
Susanna or 'Caky', as she was called by the children, in her letters
and when referring to her time here.
Susanna's Will requests that a memorial to her be placed in the
churchyard at Godmersham within three months of her passing.
Sadly, over the intervening years, the memorial has deteriorated
to such an extent, that it is now indecipherable. However, there's good news! The Friends of Godmersham Church and the Godmersham Park Heritage Centre have been granted permission to place a replica tablet over the original, thus preserving it for future generations. Our fundraising to honour Susanna's wishes, now begins in earnest. We have until 31st January 2025 to complete the work and very much appreciate any donations you can spare.
Donations to the appeal for Susanna can be made via the QR code on the right.
However, if you prefer to use BACS, please contact me for details via
the Godmersham Heritage Centre email address.
Support us
Your kind donations help
maintain the Heritage
Centre.
