Originally, the parkland surrounding Eastwell Manor was a huge deer park and was supposed to have consisted of 6,000 acres - quite a chunk of this part of Kent. I have seen other estimates that give the size of the Manor as between 2,000 to 3,000 acres but I think that this might have been well after its formation and perhaps the lower estimates are more towards the beginning of the 20th Century. Early descriptions make it one of the most beautiful parks in England. The deer were numerous and in fact, there were still deer in the park in the 1920's. I have read that the Estate even had its own breed of hounds for hunting these deer. I have seen pictures dating from just after the start of the 20th Century showing the gardening staff of about thirty persons and nine individuals who were the forresters on the Estate. However, times have changed, and the Estate is broken up until several farms and the Manor House is a conference centre, hotel and restaurant occupying only 62 acres of the former estate. I should perhaps add that I have eaten here a couple of times some years ago and it was a very worthwhile experience.

Eastwell Manor today, although it perhaps gives a hint of the past because parts of the house were constructed with material from the previous building, is not the same house that was originally occupied by the Moyle-Finch family, the Earls of Winchilsea (more recently spelt as Winchelsea). There have actually been four Manor houses on this particular site and the current version was only built in 1928 by one, Sir John de Fonblanqua Pennefather, who never saw his building in the completed state as he went blind before the project finished.

The Manor has passed through many hands throughout the centuries including the Earls of Northumberland in the 15th Century and in 1542 it was purchased by Sir Christopher Hales but shortly after that, was purchased by Sir Thomas Moyles and this family, eventually as the Earls of Winchilsea, held the Estate for over 250 years. During the final years of their ownership, the Estate was leased to Prince Alfred Ernest Albert, Duke of Edinburgh, and his wife, the second son of Queen Victoria. Durinf this period there were many Royal visitors to the Eastate.

The Pilgrims Way at one time miandered through this Park (and still does, I suppose, if ancient rights of way play any part), passing the ancient Church of St. Mary and on towards the edge of Challock Forest behind Godmersham Park.

See also:	The Church of St. Mary, Eastwell
	The Monuments of Eastwell Church