Charleston

Firle
Lewes
East Sussex
BN8 6LL

Tel: +44 (0)1323 811 265
Fax: +44 (0)1323 811 628
Email: info@charleston.org.uk
Web: http://www.charleston.org.uk


In 1916 the artists Vanessa Bell and Duncan Grant moved to Sussex with their unconventional household. From the moment they arrived they began to transform the house with decorations. Inspired by Italian fresco painting and the Post-Impressionists, they painted the walls, doors, furniture and ceramics in their own personal style.

The walled garden was redesigned in a style reminiscent of southern Europe, with mosaics, box hedges, gravel pathways and ponds.

Over the following half century Charleston became the country meeting place for the group of artists, writers and intellectuals known as Bloomsbury. Clive Bell, David Garnet and Maynard Keynes lived at Charleston for considerable periods; Virginia and Leonard Woolf, E. M. Forster, Lytton Strachey and Roger Fry were frequent visitors.

The rooms which are normally on show form a complete example of the decorative art of the Bloomsbury artists. Guided tours of the house add a human dimension to this unique and personal collection, which in addition to paintings by the Bloomsbury artists, includes objects from the Omega Workshops and work by Renoir, Picasso, Matthew Smith, Sickert and Delacroix.

On Fridays there is a special themed tour called 'Sisters'. This tour includes rooms that are not open to the public at other times.

General Information:

  • Shop selling original ceramics, painted furniture and books
  • Gallery with program of exhibitions
  • Workshops and events
  • Tea Room
  • Please telephone for disabled access information

     

    Opening Times
    (2008 times)
    18 March to 2nd November:
    Wednesdays to Sundays & Bank Holiday Mondays.

    Wednesdays and Saturdays from 11.30am - 6.00pm, Thursday and Fridays 2.00pm - 6.00pm.
    11.30am - 6.00pm during July and August.

    Sundays and Bank Holiday Mondays 2.00pm - 6.00pm. Last entry to the house is 5.00pm throughout the season.

    The 'Sisters' tour is available on selected Fridays except in July and August.

    Admission Charges
    (2008 prices)
    House and Garden:
    Adult £7.50; Child £5.00; Disabled £5.00; Family ticket £20.00.

    Concessions £5.50 Thursday only.

    Fridays themed tour £9.00.

    Garden only:
    Adult £3.00; Child £1.50.

    Organised groups should telephone 01323 811626 for rates and information.

    Directions
    Road: sign-posted off the A27, 7 miles east of Lewes, between Firle and Selmeston.
    Rail: regular service from London Victoria to Lewes.
    Show map of Charleston...

    Nearby Attractions
    Firle Place (< 1 Mile)*
    Firle Place is the home of the Gage family and has been for over 500 years. This unique Tudor house is set at the foot of the Sussex Downs within its own parkland and boasts a very interesting history.
    Bentley Wildfowl & Motor Museum (5 Miles)*
    The renowned waterfowl collection was started by the late Gerald Askew in the 1960's and soon became the largest private collection in the UK.
    Drusillas Park (6 Miles)*
    Where else can you get nose to nose with nature and have the most memorable fun-finding-out day out you can imagine? Drusillas has hundreds of fascinating and entertaining creatures such as Meerkats, Otters, Monkeys, Penguins, Bats and Lemurs.
    more nearby attractions...
    * Distances shown are in a direct line. Distances by road will be longer.

    Nearby Hotels
    White Hart Hotel (4 Miles)*
    This charming 16th century coaching inn (privately owned) with Tudor beams and log fire has been magnificently extended to include 53 bedrooms and a leisure complex with swimming pool, sauna, steam room and gym.
    The Star Inn (4 Miles)*
    The Star Inn at Alfriston is reputed to be one of the country's oldest Inns. Built in the 13th century it's first recorded refurbishment was in 1450!
    Boship Farm Hotel (6 Miles)*
    The Boship Farm Hotel is set within 17 acres of beautiful grounds with many features of a lovely 17th century farmhouse forming the core of the hotel.
    more nearby hotels...
    * Distances shown are in a direct line. Distances by road will be longer.

    Nearby Self Catering
    The Stable (8 Miles)*
    The Stable door opens into the kitchen with living area. The kitchen is fully equipped and has an electric cooker, microwave oven, fridge with freezing compartment, washing machine, iron and ironing board.
    Haven Cottage (9 Miles)*
    Welcome to Haven Cottage, two bedroom, 300 year old flint cottage, which was the former stables to the Mill House. The Cottage has been lovingly restored.
    Parlour / Stable Cottages (9 Miles)*
    We have two luxury cottages sleeping 4 and 6, in a rural situation on the outskirts of the village of Plumpton Green. Heath Farm is a small working farm within sight of the South Downs and just outside the proposed National Park.
    Your property could be here
    Advertising your self catering property or holiday cottage on AboutBritain.com will get you noticed by thousands of potential guests every day.
    more nearby self catering...
    * Distances shown are in a direct line. Distances by road will be longer.

    Popular Pages

    Tourist Information Centres | Estate Agents

    Holiday Cottages in England | Holiday Cottages in Scotland

    Alton Towers Hotels | Blackpool Hotels | Travel Lodge | Cardiff Hotels

    Brighton Hotels | Marriot Hotels | Newcastle Hotels | Bournemouth Hotels

     Copyright © 1999-2008 Excelsior Information Systems Limited. All rights reserved.
    Press Room  Terms of Use  Privacy  Link to Us  Self-Catering Advertising  Index  Site Map