Finchcocks
Finchcocks is a notable baroque-styled Georgian manor house in Kent. There are extensive views over the surrounding countryside and the estate includes 13 acres of parkland, gardens and meadows along the river Teise. The house is famous for its display of historical keyboard instruments known as the Burnett collection.
Finchcocks is named after the family who lived on the site in the 13th century. The house as seen today was built in 1725 and is noted for its brickwork. The main reason for visiting the house, however, is for its musical connections. In particular, a famous collection of over 100 historical keyboard instruments.
Acquired in the 1970s by Finchcocks owner Richard Burnett, the Burnett collection includes harpsichords, clavichords, fortepianos, square pianos and organs. Those with a passion for tinkling the ivories may be interested to know that is it is one of the few collections where people are allowed to play the historical instruments themselves. In fact, many classical keyboard recordings have been made here. There is also a workshop to study how the original instruments were built and how authentic copies can be made. As a background to this melodic fayre, Finchcocks also contains a collection of musical pictures and prints.