In the medieval period a manor existed at Kearsney and the river was used to power a number of mills. In 1820, Peter Fector’s son John Minet Fector (1754-1822) began a new house in the gothic style and called it Kearsney Abbey, although it had no religious connections. This replaced the older buildings in this location, (Little Kesney Court House). The gardens were developed in a landscape style and were completed by c. 1830. A new lake was constructed and the existing river and mill-pond modified. Bythe 1870s the development of the estate was more or less complete. It was sold several times in the late 19th and early 20th century before being acquired by the Dover Corporation in 1945 since when it has been a public park.