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Squerryes Court Champagne

Sumptuous Family estate in Kent

The Warde family have lived at Squerryes Court for nine generations having bought the property in 1731. The challenge for the present generation is ensuring that the estate situated in the county of Kent, known as the ‘garden of England’ continues to earn its keep: much of the land was planted with Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunière vines during 2006/7. These now produce ‘Squerryes’, an impressive champagne style sparkling wine. Henry Warde and his wife Claire have lived in the house with their four young children since 2013. While the main entertaining rooms have remained largely unchanged since 1980 when they were refurbished by Henry’s parents, Claire has redesigned the domestic quarters creating a spacious, informal, family friendly eat-in kitchen. ‘It was a formal ‘black tie’ dinner every night in the time of Henry’s grandparents - very Downton Abbey! We have a less grand lifestyle but we do entertain frequently using the formal red dining room and the green library which was painted that colour when it was used as a location for the BBC production of Jane Austin’s ‘Emma’. My late mother-in-law liked it so much that she insisted it remained unchanged.’ The house is hung with a fine collection of mainly 18th century family portraits, many commissioned by John Warde (1721-1775). The tapestries in the bedroom were commissioned by Frances Warde shortly before her husband acquired the house in 1731. The original Chinese wallpaper in the other bedroom is also 18th century. However, the wallpaper in the family entrance hall and on the staircase is a Robert Kime design chosen by Claire. ‘I’ve updated various areas of the house but in a timeless style in keeping with the house as a whole.’