The original moated manor on the site was called Fair
Lane and belonged in the 17th century to Sir Henry Vane
the Younger. He supported Parliament against
Charles I in the Civil War, but opposed the King's
execution and fell out of favour with Cromwell.
Despite this, on the restoration of the monarchy,
Charles II thought Vane's views on democratic reform
dangerous and had him sentenced to death on a charge of
treason. Samuel Pepys, who watched the execution
on Tower Hill in June 1662, recorded that Vane "appeared
the most resolved man that ever died in that manner, and
showed more of heat than cowardize, but yet with
humility and gravity". Vane is buried in
Shipbourne church.
In the 20th century the estate was owned by Sir Peter Cazalet who trained horses owned by the Queen Mother who was a regular overnight visitor. The current owner is Prince Khalid Abdullah of Saudi Arabia.
In 2011 the Prince attempted to close a public footpath across the estate but local residents rebelled and, supported by local Ramblers, won an appeal to the Planning Inspectorate to keep it open.
The present house was built in the early 18th century.
The Queen Anne house was built in 1697 for Richard Goodhugh. In 1790 the house was bought by the Woodgate family of nearby Riverhill House and by 1840 it was let to Charles Townsend who was visited by Samuel Palmer, a renowned landscape artist who from 1826 to 1835 was based at nearby Shoreham. Palmer called the area around Underriver his 'Golden Valley', featuring in several of his paintings. In 1976 music producer John Coletta bought the house where he entertained celebrity guests such as his friend Charlie Drake. The house has since changed hands at least twice.
This Grade II listed building is on your left as you begin your ascent of Rooks Hill. Low stone walls are topped by a brick layer, black weatherboarding and a hipped, tiled roof. It is part of a group of listed buildings including a pair of oast houses, the farmhouse, a granary, a cowshed and a cobbled courtyard on the other side of the stables.
Start and finish the walk at Shipbourne and get a bus from Tonbridge or Borough Green.
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