Camden Place
The house where deposed Emperor Napoleon III died in exile.
Camden Park Road, Chislehurst, Kent BR7 5HJ
Facilities
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Accessible loos
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Accessible parking
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Cafe / restaurant
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Easily accessible without car
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Mostly wheelchair accessible
- Accessible parking.
- Accessible toilets.
- Guide dogs are welcome.
- Wheelchair ramps/routes.
Camden Place combines historical interest with unique architectural features. Dating from 1717, the property was transformed from country house to Georgian mansion and finally to French château. The dining room panels came from the Château de Bercy and the entrance hall dates from the 1600s. It was the home of Napoleon III and the Imperial family, and Queen Victoria was a regular visitor.
For over 125 years Camden Place has been home to Chislehurst Golf Club so, until now, very few people have had the chance to visit and experience the grandeur of the property. Serving as a clubhouse, there are only a handful of exhibits on display, however the evidence of its architectural evolution since the early 18th century and the rich tapestry left by Napoleon III, Empress Eugénie and the Prince Imperial (the house’s previous tenants) has remained largely unaltered for over a century.
Visitors will hear stories of murders, imperial life in exile, visits by royalty, death beds, spies, funerals and the mystery of how a French flag came to fly in Chislehurst and the impact it had on the local community. They will see architectural features that include fireplaces, staircases, panelling and other artefacts that are bound to leave an impression. It is well worth a visit (and those with a golf handicap can also enjoy a round of golf).
Tours that are scheduled will be listed below. If none are scheduled yet, please check back later, or find other tours you might enjoy on our tours listing page here.
- Accessible parking.
- Accessible toilets.
- Guide dogs are welcome.
- Wheelchair ramps/routes.
Camden Place – Napoleon III: His Life in Ephemera
Unlocking the Secrets of Camden Place – tour with lunch
Camden Place – Cartomania: Photography and Celebrity in the 19th Century
Unlocking the secrets of Camden Place, Chislehurst
Unlocking the secrets of Camden Place, Chislehurst
Unlocking the secrets of Camden Place, Chislehurst
Unlocking the secrets of Camden Place, Chislehurst
Unlocking the secrets of Camden Place, Chislehurst
Unlocking the Secrets of Camden Place – tour with lunch
Unlocking the secrets of Camden Place, Chislehurst
Unlocking the secrets of Camden Place, Chislehurst
The 9 hole golf course
The house is the clubhouse for Chislehurst Golf Club. Its first owner was William Willett (British Summer Time) but bought by the members in 1899. It started off as a 9 hole course and a short ladies course but was quickly transformed into an 18 hole course.
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