The site of Great Comp has been documented since the 13th century. It was originally known as Camp de Wrotha (later recorded as Compe in 1461), meaning ‘field’ or ‘campus.’ The estate once encompassed 700 acres and was owned by the Lambarde family, descendants of William Lambarde, author of the first English county history, The Perambulation of Kent (1576).

The large country manor house was built in 1597 by Sir John Howell. While the frontage remains much as it did in the 17th century, the rear has undergone several changes, particularly in the 19th century. Over the centuries, the house has had 19 registered owners.

Among its most notable residents was the formidable Mrs Frances J. Heron Maxwell, who lived at Great Comp for over 50 years in the early 20th century. A suffragette and advocate for women’s sports, she transformed the estate into a hub for women’s cricket, creating cricket grounds within the garden, including one affectionately known as ‘The Oval’. Under her stewardship, Great Comp welcomed international touring women’s teams, including Australia in 1917. A friend of Vita Sackville-West and an energetic community leader, Mrs Maxwell also served as the first chair of the Kent branch of the Women’s Institute, leaving an enduring mark on both the estate and the local community.

The Camerons and the Garden Today

The character, charm, and design of Great Comp Garden as we know it today are thanks to Roderick (Eric) and Joy Cameron.

Eric and Joy moved into the 17th-century manor in 1957 with a vision: to create a beautiful garden to enjoy and share. They transformed the surrounding paddock into a seven-acre garden filled with rare and exotic plants.

In 1968, the Camerons opened Great Comp to the public for the first time. To safeguard its future, in 1984 the Camerons established the Great Comp Charitable Trust ensuring the garden would remain of the highest quality and accessible to visitors. In October 2020, the Trustees transitioned the Trust into a new charitable incorporated organisation, now known simply as Great Comp, securing the garden’s legacy for generations to come.