Lord and Lady Bearsted made Upton House and Gardens their home in 1927 where they set about making their own made-to-measure country house. Upton is a long low house built of local yellow sandstone, and has gone through numerous changes in its appearance from the interior to the exterior. Walking down the winding driveway, up the steps, and through the large heavy door is such an unforgettable experience.
Upton House has been restored to how it looked in the 1930s but unlike other private homes, Upton is presented more like an art gallery than a home. There is an art collection on one floor, a preserved art deco bathroom on another, a corridor featuring a collection of early Shell advertising posters, and a personal library. The variety of collections on show is what makes Upton House so enjoyable to explore.
The main attraction at Upton are the gardens. A lawn sweeps down from the house lined with huge cedar trees and herbaceous borders, taking you down to a large lake with water lilies and a terraced garden nearby containing the National Collection of Aster. The winding path down to and around the gardens is steep and hilly with lots of steps.
Upton House and Gardens are a real treat to visit, particularly in summer but just as wonderful in autumn. The gardens are full of beautiful flowers and enticing foliages, and the house is a delight to explore. You could spend hours here, exploring the land and taking in the atmosphere of the stately home - and we gladly did.