A popular house and garden described as “one of Kent’s hidden gems” has revealed plans to build a brand new café.
Managers at Belmont House and Gardens in Throwley, near Faversham, have confirmed they want to carry out a drastic overhaul in a bid to spruce up the historic estate.
In papers submitted to Swale Borough Council, those behind the project say they want to turn a disused stables into a café and toilet block while also pedestrianising parts of the courtyard.
Clarke and Simpson, the agents responsible for managing the property, told KentOnline it is hoped the tearoom would be able to open year-round and offer a significant improvement from the existing facility underneath the clock tower.
“In the past, we’ve run an honesty system during the winter months, where to have a cup of tea a visitor would have to make their own,” said a spokesman for the group.
“It’s known the facilities are 30 to 35 years old, they aren’t user-friendly and can’t cater for many people.
“The idea is we’ll create more seating and make it easier for visitors.
“Over the years, Belmont has lost some neatness and niceness, it’s been an attraction since the 1980s so it’s time to put a bit of investment in it.
“We want to keep the charm of it being a quiet country house.”
As part of the plans, it is also hoped to see part of the property reworked to incorporate a two-bedroom apartment – which could be let out or used by staff – and the addition of a new gallery space.
The house itself was built in 1769 by Edward Wilks, the storekeeper at the Royal Powder Mills at Faversham.
The size of the estate amounts to more than 3,000 acres and hosts the house, gardens, a cricket ground, orchards, and surrounding farmland and woodland.
The present layout of the gardens dates back to the 1790s and currently boasts a walled garden, pinetum, wooded areas, formal lawns and a large kitchen garden.
Owned by the Harris family, but maintained by the Harris Belmont Charity, the estate is home to England’s largest private collection of clocks collated by the 5th Lord Harris.
More than 340 timepieces are on show at the 18th-century house, while bosses at the house say it is also notable for being an “unspoilt example of Samuel Wyatt’s work” and his “understated neo-classical style”.
Successive Lords Harris served as soldiers and colonial governors in the 18th and 19th centuries during the prominence of the British Empire and the house still contains many mementos of their careers.
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The family has been the lords of the estate for more than 200 years.
It has been featured on television twice in recent years, both on BBC’s Antiques Roadshow.
It is hoped a decision regarding the application will be made early next year.
