Penshurst Place, Penshurst, Kent
One of England's oldest stately homes, Penshurst Estate was bought by Sir John de Pulteney in 1338 for the building of a country residence within reach of London. The medieval manor house was added to by subsequent owners, but by the 16th Century the house and estate was forfeited to the crown after Henry VIII beheaded the Duke of Buckingham as a traitor. The house then passed to the Sidney family as a Royal gift, and remained under their stewardship for the next 400 years.
