Broome Park

Broome Park is a country house in Barham, within the City of Canterbury, Kent, England. It was built for Sir Basil Dixwell between 1635 and 1638. In the early 20th century it was the country home of Lord Kitchener of Khartoum until his death at sea in 1916. Now a country club, Broome Park is a Grade I listed building.

Broome Park
TypeHouse
LocationBarham, Kent, England
Coordinates51.1903°N 1.1738°E / 51.1903; 1.1738
Built1635-1638, 18th century enlargement, 20th century remodelling
Architectural style(s)Jacobean
Governing bodyPrivately owned
Listed Building – Grade I
Official nameBroome Park Hotel
Designated29 September 1952
Reference no.1084927
Listed Building – Grade II*
Official nameThe Steward's House, Broome Park Hotel
Designated30 January 1967
Reference no.1111767
Listed Building – Grade II
Official nameLoggia, Attached Walls, Niches Containing Statues, Fountain, Stone Garden Ornaments, Statue and Urn in the Italian Garden to Broome Park Hotel
Designated30 January 1967
Reference no.1336874
Listed Building – Grade II
Official nameThe Stables of Broome Park Hotel
Designated30 January 1967
Reference no.1337428
Listed Building – Grade II
Official nameBroome Cottage, Broome Park
Designated14 March 1980
Reference no.1084928
Location of Broome Park in Kent

History

The house was built between 1635 and 1638.[1] Commissioned for Sir Basil Dixwell, 1st Baronet, who had been Member of Parliament for Hythe, it passed down through various generations of Dixwell baronets until it was inherited by Sir George Oxenden, 5th Baronet,[2] who took on his mother's surname of Dixwell.[3] It then passed down through various generations of Oxenden baronets to Sir Percy Dixwell Nowell Dixwell-Oxenden, 10th Baronet.[4]

In 1911 the estate was bought by Herbert Kitchener, 1st Earl Kitchener.[5] Kitchener commissioned Detmar Blow (1867-1939) and Fernand Billerey to carry out a major remodelling and to create the formal gardens and a formal carriage approach.[6] Contractors involved included George P. Bankart, W. Bainbridge Reynolds ("sconces in silver copper"), Cowtan & Sons (wood panelling), Shanks (heaters) and Maples of London (panelling and a table design).[7] Because of the extensive work being carried out on the property and Kitchener's professional commitments as Sirdar in Egypt and subsequently Secretary of War in London, he only lived in Broome Park for brief periods: notably for six weeks while on home leave immediately prior to the outbreak of the First World War.[8] Full-time occupancy of the house was intended for his retirement.[9] However between 1914 and 1916 Kitchener spent his limited spare time in what his aide-de-camp described as "the one relaxation which Lord Kitchener allows himself - the building of his house. It gives him such intense pleasure every Saturday when he comes down and sees the good work that has been done".[10]

In the early 1930s the estate was bought by Mr G C Jell who transformed the house into a country house hotel.[4] During the Second World War the estate was requisitioned by the Ministry of Defence.[4] In or before 1979 the Park was acquired by Gulf Shipping, for the purposes of developing a timeshare and leisure complex. The development was the subject of litigation, which went to the UK Supreme Court in 2018.[11] Today Broome Park is a timeshare hotel and club house for a golf course.[12]

References
  1. Historic England. "Broome Park Hotel  (Grade I) (1084927)". National Heritage List for England. Retrieved 23 March 2015.
  2. "Dixwell, Sir Basill, 2nd Bt. (1665-1750), of Broome, Barham, Kent". History of Parliament. Retrieved 29 February 2016.
  3. Deed Poll Office: Private Act of Parliament 1751 (25 Geo. 2). c. 1
  4. "Lord Kitchener and secrets of his Canterbury country house". Kent News. 19 March 2013. Archived from the original on 6 August 2014. Retrieved 21 July 2013.
  5. "Kitchener and Broome Park, Kent". Bonhams. Retrieved 21 July 2013.
  6. "A Quick History of Broome Park". Callisters. Archived from the original on 1 October 2016. Retrieved 28 September 2016.
  7. "Kitchener and Broome Park". Bonhams. Retrieved 28 September 2016.
  8. Faught, C. Brad. Kitchener Hero and Anti-Hero. p. 188. ISBN 978-1-78453-350-2.
  9. Faught, C. Brad. Kitchener Hero and Anti-Hero. p. 244. ISBN 978-1-78453-350-2.
  10. letter dated June 1915 from Lt Col Oswald Fitzgerald to the chief steward at Broome
  11. Regency Villas Title Ltd and others v Diamond Resorts (Europe) Ltd and others, 2018 UKSC 57 (Supreme Court of the United Kingdom 14 November 2018).
  12. "Broome Park Hotel". Retrieved 15 November 2018.
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