Unveiling the Hidden Russian Diplomatic Mansion in the Heart of Kent

From the bustling A268 road, there's no indication of the presence of a grand Russian diplomatic estate concealed behind the dense hedges and trees lining the main thoroughfare.

The entrance to Seacox Heath, a 50-room mansion built in 1871 for statesman George Goschen, is marked by a simple yet elegant black wrought-iron gate. A strategically placed mirror facilitates smooth traffic flow onto the bustling Flimwell to Hawkhurst Road in Sussex.

Only a security camera mounted atop the fence hints at the significance of this listed property.

Yet, in the nearby village of Hawkhurst, genuine concern has arisen regarding a building owned by the Russian government since 1946, sparking a fresh interest in the chateau-style diplomatic mansion nestled down a secluded private road amid vast grounds.

For decades, this mansion remained quietly ignored. But when the news broke that it served as an extension of the Russian embassy in London, the residents, outraged by the invasion of Ukraine, vented their emotions by adorning the entrance with pro-Ukrainian graffiti. This was followed by the placement of Ukrainian flags both at the entrance and along the embankment, a gesture by writer and journalist, Rebecca de Saintonge, which turned the building into a symbol of resistance against the invasion.

Until recently, the existence of a Russian diplomatic 'dacha' in their midst was virtually unknown to local residents. However, the protests last year shone a spotlight on the mansion, bringing about security concerns.

Lindsay Barrow, who operates a flower shop in the village, commented, "I've known about it for some time. If you look closely, you can spot multiple CCTV cameras and barbed wire encircling the property. I've also seen sleek black Mercedes cars going in and out of the front gates. Then came the protests. We've seen people from Seacox Heath in Hawkhurst; they used to visit the pub occasionally. I do think it's rather strange that the Russian government has a property here in the heart of Kent."

The mansion reportedly serves as a country residence for the Russian ambassador, Andrey Kelin. When not used for diplomatic functions, it is cared for by an elderly Russian couple.

Miss de Saintonge mentioned, "After our protest, two policemen paid me a visit. I believe they were concerned for the safety of the elderly Russian couple who look after the house. We removed our flags to de-escalate the situation. The protest was an emotional response to the invasion, but it was not right to put the elderly couple in any danger."

Bluey Pratt, 93, a Hawkhurst resident and a former RAF Bomber Command member during his national service between 1951-53, expressed his amazement, saying, "I was serving at the very beginning of the Cold War, so we had very real fears about them." He recalled loading dummy atomic bombs into American B-29 Superfortress bombers as a means to bluff the Russians. "I can't believe peace wasn't negotiated by Ukraine because, in my mind, no one will ever beat the Russians. They're invincible."

However, some villagers remain oblivious to the Russian presence in their community. Elaine Jordan, 79, stated, "I had no idea. It is a bit worrying. I have never seen anything going on down there."

Max Can, who runs Elite Barbers, said, "I have customers come in and tell me there is an embassy building there, but I had no idea and I don't know anything about it whatsoever."

Paul Beltoe, 66, expressed his shock over the war and the Russian mansion, saying, "I don't think the Russians have any business having an embassy building here."

The history of this mansion is intertwined with the illustrious Goschen family, which peaked politically in the 1890s, with the First Viscount Goschen serving as Chancellor of the Exchequer and First Lord of the Admiralty. The mansion was gifted to the Soviet Union in 1946 by his son George, the 2nd Viscount, in appreciation of the Russian sailors who saved his son during World War II.

Over the years, this estate has served various purposes, including as a hostel for trade delegation staff families and a "Russian country club." It has witnessed interesting episodes, like Alsatians guarding the property attacking local sheep and KGB officers burning secret files in the garden during the Cold War.

This hidden diplomatic mansion in the heart of Kent has a long and intriguing history, and its recent notoriety serves as a reminder of the ever-present global connections even in the most serene corners of the countryside.