Visit Camden Place

Our standard talk and tour lasts about 2 hours. After a presentation to help visitors understand the house’s history, small groups (usually 10 or less)  are led  by volunteers who are all members of the golf club. This provides  plenty of opportunity for photos and questions.

You will hear about the history from the days of William Camden to the death of France’s first president and last emperor – Napoleon lll.  Architectural features of interest include; the Jacobean entrance hall, Chateau de Bercy dining room and decorative features added by James ‘Athenian’ Stuart. Art, artefacts, fireplaces and door furnishings will add to the packed visit – there is something for everyone.

The Club is happy to extend an invitation for you to arrive early or stay on after the tour to enjoy refreshments from the bar, be that coffee, a glass of wine or a meal

We do have French speaking guides and this can be arranged if we have plenty of notice.

Accessibility

An introduction to Camden Place

• its 3 main phases of development and the residents who lived here
• how Napoleon came to Chislehurst, introducing the Strode mystery and a brief outline of the families time and impact on Chislehurst
• recent history: how the Common’s Conservators helped create a golf club in Chislehurst.

A tour of the downstairs rooms and their historic and architectural features

You will have plenty of time to to look at the artworks, the current heritage display  and  take photos or ask questions.

Once your  tour finishes we are pleased to invite visitors to enjoy refreshments and food purchased from our Club bars.

What is not included

• There is no access to upstairs rooms as these are let to residents
• There is no access to the grounds. Camden Place is the clubhouse for Chislehurst Golf Club, this is a busy course and access would be dangerous.

Optional extras

Walk to the Prince Imperial Monument (opposite Camden Place) about 5 minutes away.

Visit St Mary’s Church where both Napoleon lll and the Prince Imperial were buried before they were moved to Farnborough Abbey in 1889. (about a 15 minute walk away). The church is normally open between 8.00am and 8.00pm.

On the way to St Mary’s you go past St Nicholas’s – here you will find the Bonar’s grave just inside the Lychgate and the heraldic work added by William Camden inside the church.