My #countryhousepic today shows Sissinghurst Castle #Kent in the late 18th century. The great courtyard house was pulled down, probably in the 1790s, leaving only the gatehouse tower and outer court buildings that survive today. 
The great house of Sissinghurst was built in two phases for Sir John Baker (d. 1558) and his son Sir Richard (d. 1594). The long range which greets visitors today dates from the 1530s (but was extended in the C17); the tower behind is of c.1560.
In the mid 18th century, Sissinghurst Castle was used as a prisoner of war camp for French sailors and soldiers captured during the Seven Years War. One of them drew a bird's eye view of the castle
In 1930, the surviving parts of Sissinghurst Castle were bought by Vita Sackville-West and her husband, Harold Nicolson, who restored the house and created the famous garden, which was given to @nationaltrust in 1967.
