The Brief
Grade I-listed Kentchurch Court dates back to the 14th century and is regarded as one of the most important historical houses in Herefordshire. It is the ancestral seat of the Scudamores and sits at the heart of the Kentchurch Estate.
The living areas, including the kitchen, snug and boot room, were impractical for modern family life. However, Joss Lucas-Scudamore, the new generation of Scudamores to take over the estate, could see its potential as high-value and unique holiday accommodation. As such, it would sit at the heart of his strategy to maximise the estate’s tourism potential and generate valuable revenue.
To achieve its full potential, changes needed to be made to the building. Some parts of the house, in particular the kitchen, were dated, and did not have the grandeur that befitted the scale and heritage of the property.
Joss commissioned Communion Architects to undertake a sensitive upgrading and remodelling of these rooms to create the practical but luxurious spaces the house demands.
The Design Strategy
Internally, we incorporated the kitchen and several smaller service rooms at the back of the house. It has created a single large space that reflects the requirements of modern living and can accommodate the 20 guests the house can sleep.
At one end of this space is the substantial kitchen that is suitable for a home of this size and history. The space then unfolds into a bar area, an informal dining area and then a relaxed seating area. The space connects to the outdoors via two sets of full-height glazed doors. There is also direct access to the banqueting hall for formal dining.
Elsewhere, we created a boot room, where guests can leave coats and shoes on entering the house, and a larger, more luxurious downstairs lavatory.
The design gives the home an important practical symmetry, ensuring that all the new spaces are immediately accessible whether you enter the home via the formal front entrance or the informal rear entrance.
The Design Sensibilities
To create the right look and feel for the new space, we followed three guiding principles: exceptional, rural and valuable. The project sought to deliver high quality, timeless spaces that befit the house’s heritage.
The kitchen design was by local Herefordshire company Minerva. It was constructed using traditional joinery techniques and features walnut cabinetry and marble countertops. The flooring has a diagonal chequerboard pattern that echoes the flooring in the house’s entrance hall.
Oak panelling in the boot room and downstairs lavatory is reminiscent of the panelling in the historic tower of Kentchurch Court, where Owain Glendower is believed to have taken refuge after the failure of his rebellion against the English.
We used paint from local company Edward Bulmer Natural Paint throughout. Together with the careful use of the house’s existing furniture alongside the new fittings, this has helped to create a warm and welcoming space with a distinctive sense of a long-established family home.
Outside, we worked with Robert Myers Associates to undertake subtle repairs and enhancements to create an elegant garden space that echoes the original picturesque landscape style for which the estate is renowned.
The Outcome
Our work on Kentchurch Court has created the kitchen and living space that befits an ancient seat but has every modern convenience and has a convivial, family feel.
The transformation is helping to maximise the tourism potential of the estate and putting it on a sustainable financial footing. At the same time, it is playing its part in creating a bold and memorable identity for Kentchurch Estate and everything its new generation of custodians stands for.
“19 of us stayed at Kentchurch Court over the October half-term and all I can say is WOW. Loved it.”
Kentchurch Court guest review
You can find out more about the Kentchurch Estate and staying at Kentchurch Court on the Kentchurch Estate website.
