The Speed family came to Knowlton in the 1890s and called in Sir Reginald Blomfield in 1904 to remodel the interior and some of the exteriors. He was also responsible for laying out the garden at this time, as well as the garden at Godinton. Areas around the house were used to make characteristic terraces and raised walks enclosed by battlemented yew hedges and balustrades, with flights of brick steps. There are gravel walks and grant wrought iron gates. The garden around the house is of architectural formality and simplicity.

The large walled garden to the south has a dominating monkey- puzzle (Araucaria araucana) that Blomfield presumably left or planted as a focal feature to the axis up the steps from the main garden. The walled garden has been divided into two. One half is grassed while the other is used to grow vegetables, including more unusual varieties. As far as possible, these are grown organically.

Blomfield probably also planted the fine approach lime avenue that runs north-west of the house from a circular forecourt to line up on the distant Chillenden windmill. Many of the limes fell in the 1987 storm but have been winched upright and pollarded in the hope of recovery. The Dower House to the east of the lime avenue is an attractive Flemish gabled 17th century building. The lodge at the end of the avenue is by Sir E Lutyens (1912). According to Newman, Lutyens was also asked to design a first plan of the drawing room in the main house in the same year.Knowlton Court is a secluded, restored Elizabethan house standing in its own park and grounds, with a fine approach avenue. It represents a major contribution to the heritage character of this part of east Kent, together with Goodnestone, Fredville and Waldershare.
The original house was red brick and essentially Elizabethan, previous owners including the P'Aeth family, the Cloudesley and Peytons (see the magnificent tombs in the nearby church), and the Langley family, who also owned much of this part of Kent.
Blomfield probably also planted the fine approach lime avenue that runs north-west of the house from a circular forecourt to line up on the distant Chillenden windmill. Many of the limes in the avenue fell in the 1987 storm but have been winched upright and pollarded in the hope of recovery.

People associated with this site
Architect: Sir Reginald Theodore Blomfield (born 20/12/1856 died 27/12/1942)

Architect: Sir Edwin Landseer Lutyens (born 29/03/1869 died 01/01/1944)
Features: gate, Large wrought iron gates, garden terrace, hedge, Battlemented yew hedges, specimen tree,
The large walled garden to the south has a dominating monkey- puzzle, walk,Raised walks,steps
The gate lodge was created in 1912 by Sir Edwin Landseer Lutyens (born 29/03/1869 died 01/01/1944)