Explore Ightham Mote through two expert-led sessions on historic conservation, ongoing stewardship and contemporary low-carbon design.

Introduction

Join the RIBA South Conservation Group for a special afternoon visit to Ightham Mote, exploring both the long-term conservation of its historic mansion and the introduction of new contemporary architecture within this highly sensitive heritage setting.

Ightham Mote is a Grade I listed building and Scheduled Monument with a history stretching back around 700 years. The visit will bring together two complementary perspectives: the conservation and ongoing stewardship of the mansion, and the design of the National Trust’s recently completed visitor reception and shop.

The wider project includes landscape improvements, sustainable drainage, revised parking and the reinstatement of the historic walled garden alongside the new visitor facilities.

Attendees will be divided into two groups of up to 20 people, rotating between two specialist sessions led by Stuart Page and Matt Watts.

This event is supported by the RIBA Local Initiative Fund (LIF) (https://www.riba.org/work/my-local-riba/local-initiative-funding/)

What will be covered

Session 1: The Mansion – Conservation, Stewardship and Ongoing Care

With Stuart Page, RIBA SCA

Stuart Page will introduce the property and provide a short overview of its development from 1340 to 2026, including its acquisition by the National Trust in 1985 and the decisions that guided the major conservation works undertaken between 1989 and 2005.

Drawing on a relationship with the building and estate spanning 37 years, Stuart will discuss the conservation of the mansion, its ongoing care and the experience of working with a complex historic property over the long term.

Subject to timings and visitor numbers, the session may also explore key phases and rooms within the house.

Session 2: Visitor Reception & Shop – Contemporary Architecture in a Historic Setting

With Matt Watts, Reed Watts Architects

Matt Watts will introduce the recent visitor improvements at Ightham Mote, focusing on the design and construction of the new visitor reception building and shop.

The session will explore how the design responds to its historic setting and its relationship with the manor house, as well as how the wider project helped the National Trust reinstate the historic walled garden.

Matt will also discuss the project’s low-carbon approach and the use of materials including hempcrete, alongside the relationship between contemporary design, heritage and visitor experience.

Itinerary

1.00pm – Arrival and registration

Attendees should arrive at Ightham Mote from 1.00pm, meeting around the visitor reception and café.

1.30pm – Tours begin

Attendees will be divided into two groups of approximately 20.

One group will begin with Stuart Page’s session on the mansion, conservation and ongoing care, while the second group attends Matt Watts’ session on the new visitor reception and shop.

2.30pm – Group changeover

The groups will swap so that all attendees can take part in both sessions.

4.00pm – Refreshments and networking

The two groups will come back together for refreshments and informal networking.

Accessibility

Ightham Mote has a range of accessible facilities, including Blue Badge parking near the visitor centre, accessible toilets, level access to the café and shop, and an accessible route through the gardens and around South Lake.

The ground floor of the house is accessible, although some corridors are narrow and parts of the site include slopes, steps and uneven terrain due to its historic nature.

A volunteer-operated shuttle buggy, manual wheelchairs and a Tramper powered mobility scooter are also available, subject to availability and advance booking where required.

For full details on accessible routes, mobility assistance and facilities, please refer to the National Trust’s Ightham Mote accessibility information page. (https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/kent/ightham-mote)

Event Terms and Conditions

Photography, Filming and Recording

By accepting an invitation or purchasing a ticket for this event, you consent to being photographed, filmed or recorded while attending. You agree that RIBA may use your image, voice, name and/or likeness, without compensation, for purposes connected with the event, including publicity and promotional materials, websites, newsletters, publications and social media, now and in the future.

If you do not wish to be photographed or filmed, please make this known to a member of the RIBA team on arrival.

Cancellations, Refunds and Ticket Transfers

Cancellations must be made in writing to riba.south@riba.org. No refunds can be made for cancellations received within 30 days of the event. The final date to cancel your booking and be eligible for a refund is Tuesday 10 November 2026.

To transfer your ticket(s) to another individual, please contact riba.south@riba.org. All ticket transfers must be requested at least 14 days bef

Description supplied by the event organiser.