LAYER MARNEY TOWER

Climb to the top of England’s tallest Tudor gatehouse for breathtaking views, explore the unique collection of 45 Knights of the Garter crowns and crests, and discover the exquisite craftsmanship of large-scale dolls’ houses.

Layer Marney Tower

Layer Marney Tower is Britain’s tallest Tudor gatehouse, an unfinished yet remarkable example of early 16th-century ambition. Built from red brick and terracotta, its design reflects the influence of the Italian Renaissance, a rare architectural flourish in Tudor England.

Construction began in 1523 under Henry Marney, 1st Baron Marney, a trusted courtier of Henry VII and Henry VIII, who envisioned a grand stately residence to reflect his rising status. However, his death that same year left the project to his son, John Marney, who himself died in 1525, leaving the house forever incomplete.

Despite its unfinished state, Layer Marney Tower has remained a comfortable family residence, passing through eleven families over five centuries. Among its notable owners was Sir Brian Tuke, Treasurer to the Royal Household, followed by Nicholas Corsellis, a tobacco merchant who acquired the estate in 1667. The Corsellis family remained for six generations before selling to Quintin Dick, MP for Maldon, in 1835.

By 1884, Layer Marney suffered damage in the Great English Earthquake, prompting significant restoration under Alfred Peache, who reroofed the gatehouse and enhanced the gardens. His successor, James Peache, modernised the house with electricity, bathrooms, and central heating, setting the stage for Walter de Zoete, a stockbroker who purchased the house in 1901.

Walter de Zoete lived extravagantly at Layer Marney Tower, employing 13 domestic staff and enjoying the luxuries of the Edwardian period. He extended the gardens, built a folly, and converted the stables into a gallery to house his furniture and art collections. However, his financial downfall in the Japanese stock market crash forced him to sell the estate to the Campbell family.

In 1959, the house was once again put up for sale. On a romantic whim, Gerald and Susan Charrington, who had married in St Mary the Virgin Church at Layer Marney, purchased the house. Their descendants still live here today, ensuring its preservation and accessibility for visitors.

Today, visitors can climb the tower for breathtaking panoramic views, explore the historic collection of 45 Knights of the Garter crowns and crests, and discover intricately designed large-scale dolls’ houses. The estate remains a vibrant cultural venue, hosting weddings, events, and historical experiences, ensuring that Layer Marney’s unique blend of Tudor ambition and family heritage endures.