Somerhill at 401

Last year, 2011, our splendid and historic Jacobean mansion, Somerhill, celebrates it’s 400th Anniversary.

Over this time it has seen growth, decline and restoration; it has seen great families come and go and is now home to our vibrant set of schools, looked after under the umbrella of the Somerhill Charitable Trust and English Heritage.

It is also the 401st year of the King James I Bible and 201 years since the painting of Somerhill by JMW Turner, now housed in the National Gallery of Scotland.

On Thursday 26 May 2011 pupils at The Schools at Somerhill enjoyed a variety of activities to enhance their understanding of the historical periods that the mansion has witnessed over the last 400 years. The Mayor of Tunbridge Wells Borough Council was in attendance at a tree planting ceremony to commemorate this historic occasion. This was in fact Councillor Mrs Thomas’ first public engagement after being sworn into office on Wednesday 25 May. 

The boys and girls enjoyed a special assembly as well as a 400th birthday cake and released balloons to mark the occasion.    

Principal of The Schools at Somerhill, John Coakley, said: “It is wonderful to be working in such a magnificent building and grounds, which enhance the pupils’ learning no end.  You would be hard pressed to find a more glorious setting for a school.”

Here are some pictures from the day.

Navigate the links on the left of this page under ‘Somerhill at 400’ for an overview of the history of our building from its beginnings to the present day, or start here.