“Ever wondered about a house that moved?” That’s the story of Court Lodge. It stands here today, but its journey is far from ordinary.
Court Lodge began as part of a medieval manor house. This manor was located in Udimore near Rye. The Etchingham family owned it after the Norman Conquest. Kings Edward I and III frequented this manor. They often stopped here during visits to their Cinque Ports navy. In 1360, celebrations followed a naval victory. The King, Prince of Wales, and Barons rode to the manor. The Queen was there and they revelled with ladies through the night.
However, by 1912, only one side of the original Court Lodge remained. It was used to house farmworkers. Artist Lawson Wood wanted to restore it. But the farmer only wanted the land. He wanted to get rid of the crumbling building. Wood bought Court Lodge in February 1912. He found a new home for it in Groombridge. This spot had five acres. It also offered views over the Sussex countryside. The timber-framed building was carefully dismantled. Then it was re-erected on its new site. By September 1913, Wood and his family moved in.
Wood served in the Royal Flying Corps during World War I. In 1916, he sold Court Lodge to Mrs Dix Lewis. She added the north-east wing in 1919. She also laid out the Arts-and-Crafts gardens. In 1948, Miss Dorothy Kerin moved her “home of healing” nearby. She bought Court Lodge and lived there from 1955 to 1959. She left a legacy. This legacy is the small chapel in the grounds.
Today, Court Lodge offers a mix of historic and modern features. There are reception rooms, a kitchen, and a study. The house also features a master suite and bedrooms. Gardens surround Court Lodge. They include a parterre garden, a Japanese knot garden, and a pond. There is also a swimming pool, a tennis court, a wild meadow garden, and a paddock.
But there is another Court Lodge. This Court Lodge’s history goes back to 1322. Sir William of Orlaston built a hall house. Later, he added a byre and barn. This accommodated his serfs and animals. The early hall had a central hearth. There was a smoke hole in the roof. The hall was divided over time. A living room was raised away from the kitchen. A partial upper floor was added for storage. It later became a complete two-storey house.
The house in its current form dates from the 15th century. It was extended in the 16th century. It was altered in 1847. The building has an L-shaped plan. Inside, there is a crown post roof. The 16th-century wing has a cross-beamed ceiling. There is an inglenook fireplace. The house housed the tithe courts during the Middle Ages. Later, it became a farmhouse and a family home.
So, which Court Lodge is the real one? Perhaps both hold pieces of history. Each has its own unique story to tell.