Old Soar Manor

Old Soar Manor is a rare survivor from the reign of Edward I, a knight's stone dwelling built around 1290 by William le Hore in the lanes near Plaxtol, and from 1348 the fortified home of the wealthy Colepeper family, leading Kentish landowners. What stands today are the lord's private first-floor rooms, raised above the ground for security against roaming thieves, where the family withdrew from the bustle of the great hall; that timber hall was demolished in 1780 and the red-brick farmhouse beside it took its place. Inside the surviving block you can see the solar, a small chapel and a garderobe beneath an impressive timber roof, linked by a stone spiral staircase. Dogs on short leads are welcome in the grounds but not inside the building. Reviewers enjoy exploring at their own pace in an unstaffed, free-to-enter house, praise the detailed information boards and suggest pairing it with nearby Ightham Mote, as half an hour is enough. Tips from visitors: the spiral stairs and uneven floors are hard going for anyone with limited mobility, and roadside parking is limited to a few cars.