Waldershare

Waldershare brings together historic architecture, parkland design and walking to appeal to a range of interests. Belvedere, the country house in Waldershare Park and All Saints’ Church represent different aspects of its cultural heritage; Section 13 of the North Downs Way and the Monumenta Romana sculpture add a distinctive focus on landscape and walking. If you are looking for a hotel for a trip to Waldershare, deciding whether architectural history, church art or a walk will be your main focus can help with your planning.

Parkland and Belvedere

Waldershare Park covers around 400 hectares and lies in a rural setting. It preserves traces of an early 18th-century formal layout, including a so-called Wilderness. A partly walled and terraced formal garden also dates from this period. Belvedere offers views north and south through the western of the two valleys in the park. Along with the park’s landscaped features, the setting and course of the valley are also part of the scenery.

Country house and architectural history

The country house was built between 1705 and 1712 for Sir Henry Furnese. After a fire in 1915, Sir Reginald Blomfield restored most of the interior and parts of the exterior. Belvedere was built later, between 1725 and 1727, also for Furnese; its architect was Lord Burlington. The ground floor has a circular, shell-shaped domed ceiling. The country house retains vaulted and arcaded cellars with two large chambers divided by central piers. The dates and details of the buildings offer different architectural points of interest: the house’s restoration history and the ceiling design at Belvedere.

All Saints’ Church and its monuments

All Saints’ Church in Waldershare dates back to Norman times. In the south chapel stands a monument to the Bertie family, created in 1697: life-size marble figures show 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 features Victorian wall paintings and an alabaster reredos, or altar screen. The monuments differ in both their imagery and their dates; the chancel adds another layer of art history.

Walking and landscape views

Section 13 of the North Downs Way is a nine-mile walk. It starts in Shepherdswell and follows the North Downs Way and the Via Francigena through the picturesque Kent Downs Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. The section is also suitable for mountain bikes; check trail conditions before setting off. The Monumenta Romana sculpture is at the edge of the Waldershare Estate, opposite Belvedere. It offers walkers on the North Downs Way National Trail 360-degree views of the surrounding landscape. All Saints’ Church serves as a resting point for walkers crossing the North Downs. The walking routes therefore offer different features: Section 13 gives a route length, while Monumenta Romana highlights the views and the church provides a place to rest.

Getting there and finding your way

All Saints’ Church is three miles north of Dover on the A256. Shepherdswell is the nearest railway station, three miles from the church; check train connections separately. Route 89 runs from the gates of Waldershare House to the bus station on Pencester Road in Dover. Road conditions may change; check traffic updates before setting off and check train connections separately.

Discover more destinations: Tunbridge Wells, Ivychurch, West Kingsdown, Smeeth, Throwley Forstal, Dartford, Bridge, West Malling.

For the overview of the wider region: Kent.