Tunbridge Wells Heritage Open Days 2011 - Salomons, Broomhill Road, Southborough, TN3 0TG

Salomons, Broomhill Road, Southborough

Open on Sunday 11 September for this year’s Heritage Open Days, there is a special focus at Salomons on the magnificent Welte Philharmonic pipe organ. The instrument with over two thousand pipes is the largest ever made by the renowned German firm. It was specially designed almost a hundred years ago, not just for musicians to perform but also to play automatically using paper music rolls. For this year’s Heritage Open Days scholars of the Royal Academy of Music will be performing a free concert at 1500. This event is marking the inauguration of the Academy’s Organ Department.

There is much else to enjoy throughout the day at this former family home and estate owned by three generations of the Salomons family. The Grade II listed mansion, originally designed by Decimus Burton in the 1830s and with extensive additions, retains many original features including two rooms now housing a museum to the family’s history. The first Sir David was a campaigner for Jewish rights and the second Sir David a science pioneer. Another exceptional feature of the house is the science theatre, originally used for scientific demonstrations as well as being the location of the organ. In the attractive gardens is the water tower, which the first Sir David used for astronomy; also a magnificent stable block, in the style of a miniature French chateau, which is recognised by English Heritage as the most notable in the whole of south east England.

Open on Sunday 11th September 1000 - 1600

  • Tours, talks and organ demonstrations throughout the day
  • Concert at 1500, booking not required
  • Mansion house dining room open for lunches, booking essential 01892 515152
  • Snack lunches served in stables cafeteria – booking not required
  • Family friendly venue: museum children’s quiz sheets suitable for junior ages
  • Disabled access to most areas (the slopes in the garden are steep in places)
  • Parking (including disabled)
  • Toilets (including disabled)

    What previous visitors said:

    Salomons is a beautifully looked after building especially the stables. It is marvellous for being used as an educational building and so in daily use.

    www.canterbury.ac.uk/salomons-museum