St Clere Estate

St Clere has been in the ownership of members of the current family since 1878. The Ecclestone family’s main aim is to keep the house as a home for themselves and their three children. However, realising the potential the property has for use as a venue for corporate events and in particular outdoor activities, the property is now available for exclusive conferences and meetings. All outdoor activities are held on the St Clere Estate where The Wright Event has all the equipment, staff and necessary expertise to make it a fun and memorable experience.

The house has been called St Clere since the 14th century, before which it was known as West Aldham. In the 12th century it belonged to Sir Thomas de Aldham, who fought in Richard I’s third crusade. Later it became the property of Sir Thomas Bullen of Hever, the father of the ill-fated Anne Boleyn, the Queen consort of Henry VIII. Tradition says that Henry VIII rode from Eltham and Greenwich to Hever and St Clere to court Anne during his divorce proceedings against Queen Katherine. The earlier Tudor house was acquired by Sir John Sidley, who rebuilt it c1633 to a double pile design well ahead of its time. Its octagonal turrets on the north corners and striking central crest of chimneys, however, suggest that Sidley could not quite break free from the fashion of a century before. In 1878 the house was bought by Sir Mark Collet, 1st Baronet, Governor of the Bank of England. His son, also Sir Mark, built the western archway and adjacent squash court in 1908. After his death in 1944 St Clere passed to his great nephew, Brigadier Hugh Norman, whose grand-daughter lives there now with her family.

• Ashdown Park Hotel

• Ashtree Farm

• Chilston Park

• East Malling Conference Centre

• Eastwell Manor

• Firle Place

• Hever Castle

• Leeds Castle

• Marriott Tudor Park

• Oxon Hoath Country Estate

• Penshurst Place

• South Lodge Hotel

• St Clere Estate

• The Grand Hotel

• Theobalds Park

• Wadhurst Castle