Waldershare’s character is shaped by its architectural and landscape history, as well as its walking connections to the North Downs Way and the Via Francigena. Waldershare Park preserves traces of a formal layout dating from the early 18th century. When looking for a holiday rental, these give visitors two distinct interests to consider: historic architecture and walking activities.
The Belvedere and landscaped park
The Belvedere was built between 1725 and 1727 by Lord Burlington for Sir Henry Furnese. In Waldershare Park, it offers views north and south along the western of the two valleys. The ground floor features a circular, saucer-shaped domed ceiling. The park and the building each tell a different part of the story of the estate’s design: alongside the Belvedere, the park retains the remains of an early 18th-century formal layout, including a so-called wilderness. A partly walled and terraced formal garden also dates from this period.
The country house in the park was also built for Sir Henry Furnese, between 1705 and 1712. After a fire in 1915, Sir Reginald Blomfield restored most of the interior and parts of the exterior. Surviving architectural details include vaulted and arcaded cellars, with two large chambers divided by central pillars. The Belvedere and the country house are therefore two distinct examples of Waldershare’s architectural history; their different dates help place the estate’s development in context.
All Saints’ Church and its monuments
All Saints’ Church dates back to Norman times. Its chapels and chancel preserve several notable interior features. In the south chapel, a 1697 memorial commemorates the Bertie family: it features life-size marble figures of a couple holding hands. The north chapel contains the monument to Sir Henry Furnese, who died in 1712. It is tiered like a wedding cake and flanked by statues of mourning women and putti. The chancel also features Victorian wall paintings and an alabaster reredos.
The church adds a distinct perspective on Waldershare’s religious and artistic heritage to the history of the house and park. Its architectural history reaches further back than the monuments described above; the memorials, in turn, offer specific points of reference for the late 17th and early 18th centuries. All Saints’ Church also serves as a rest stop for walkers crossing the North Downs.
Plan your walks and journey
Section 13 of the North Downs Way is nine miles long. It starts in Shepherdswell and follows the North Downs Way and the Via Francigena through the scenic Kent Downs Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. The section is also suitable for mountain bikes. Check route conditions before setting out. Another walking destination is Monumenta Romana on the edge of the Waldershare Estate, opposite the Belvedere. The sculpture offers walkers on the North Downs Way 360-degree views of the surrounding landscape. There is also an alternative route to Dover from Waldershare Park.
To reach All Saints’ Church, travel three miles north of Dover on the A256. The nearest railway station is Shepherdswell, also three miles away; check train services separately. Route 89 runs from the gates of Waldershare House to the bus station on Pencester Road in Dover. Check transport details before travelling. This lets you consider the area’s historic attractions and walking connections separately when planning your trip, without treating the different routes as the same.
Discover more destinations: Sevenoaks Weald, Sissinghurst, Eynsford, Wye, Ashford, Northfleet, Chartham, Tilmanstone
For the full travel overview: Kent.
