A family is fighting to protect their ancestral home from near permanent closure and preserve the legacy of a famous British architect.

The National Trust has announced that Owletts in Cobham, near Gravesend, and several other period properties will close to visitors bar one "heritage" weekend this year.

Built in the late 17th century, Owletts is an early example of a large Kentish Yeoman's house which is uniquely still occupied by its ancestors.

Leading British Empire architect Sir Herbert Baker, who was born on the site in 1862, went on to restore the period property, filling it with his own furniture works.

It was gifted by him, along with its contents, to the National Trust in 1938 but on the express say so that the Baker family – who have lived on the estate since 1793 – stayed on as tenants at a reduced rent rate.

Since then, the descendants have continued to live and volunteer on the grounds and run regular local and school events dedicated to its history.

Prior to the pandemic, they also regularly opened the show rooms to the public and hosted picnics and afternoon teas on the lawns.

However, Owletts was suddenly removed from the Trust's handbook last year and is currently listed on Google as "temporarily closed".

The Trust has announced it intends to reduce access between April and September to just two days per year on a "trial basis" in an effort to recover lost revenue during the pandemic.

The current Baker tenants are in the process of a rent review in which it is understood a new five-year tenancy agreement will be offered at double the rent.

But the family claim the decisions have been taken without notice or consultation and they could soon be turfed out.

Camilla Baker, 46, is the great-grand-daughter of Herbert, and resides in the grounds with her six-year-old son Henry.

Her older brother David and his wife live in the main building, referred to affectionately as "the big house" but both may now be "priced out" of the ancestral home – ending more than 200 years of continued occupancy.

"Mr brother and his wife didn't expect their rent to double. It is heartbreaking really," said Camilla.

"The tenancy is separate from the heritage and it has become a bit blurred."

But of even greater importance to the family is the need to protect their great-grandfather's legacy, explains Camilla.

"My great-grandpa gave it to the nation, not to be a private let purely for the commercial benefit of the Trust," she said.

"He was famous around the world and he has a big legacy. Baker is well known and Owletts is just a complete example of his house at that time."

Camilla added: "We have always known that as tenants our time here is temporary. We understand our role is custodian, not owner, and we appreciate the honour and privilege we have in living here.

"Closing it for all but one weekend a year does not represent a good use of public money."

"Our concern is not so much for our own tenancy here, but for the more concerning clause of reducing access and further that the arrangement and use of the show rooms may be changed."

The family have set up a petition asking for the public's support to keep the properties open. It had amassed more than 1,000 signatures at the time of writing.

Another issue has been the suggestion to the family that key assets and furniture could be removed.

"We are more worried about items being lost or dismantled," added Camilla. "What is the point of it being in storage?"

Kent currently has 22 National Trust sites stretching from the White Cliffs of Dover to Cobham Wood.

It is feared the upheaval at Owletts might form part of a wider review of the Trust's portfolio of family-sized period properties.

Also affected in the local set are St John's Jerusalem and Cobham Mausoleum, on the ridge between Strood and Cuxton.

In 2010 the Mausoleum was severely damaged and vandalised prompting a full restoration which cost the taxpayer £6 million.

Over the years the Baker family says the two properties have brought a lot of tourism and visitors to Cobham, supporting the village pubs, community-run shop and church.

Camilla added: "Closing it for all but one weekend a year does not represent a good use of public money.

"Is this fulfilling their motto, 'For everyone, for ever?'"

The National Trust says it constantly considers how best to direct the resources of the Trust for wider public benefit.

It adds that this has been has been "heightened" in the last few years because of the loss of income due to the pandemic.

A spokesman for the Trust said: "We’re currently in discussion with our tenants at Owletts as the lease is coming to an end later this year. It would be inappropriate for us to discuss any matters or concerns outside of these conversations.

"We’re separately reviewing our other smaller properties in North Kent – Cobham Mausoleum and St John’s Jerusalem – and the proposals for future access.

"However, there is no intention to permanently close Owletts, Cobham Mausoleum or St John’s Jerusalem; they will open to the public."

To view the petition click here.