Historic Houses
As with many parts of England, we have numerous historic houses and castles in the area to visit, below are a few of note, but there are so many more places to discover.
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The Priest House
The Priest House sits on the western edge of Ashdown Forest in the historic and picturesque village of West Hoathly. A timber-framed hall house built in the 15th Century for the Priory of St Pancras in Lewes. It was seized by Henry VIII in 1538 and belonged in turn to Thomas Cromwell, Anne of Cleves, Mary I and Elizabeth I. Central chimneys and a Horsham stone roof were added in the 16th century to create a substantial yeoman farmers house.
The house opened as a museum in 1908 and contains a varied collection of 17th and 18th century furniture, ironwork, textiles and other domestic bygones, displayed in furnished rooms.
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Standen 5 Miles
Dating from the 1890s and containing original Morris & Co furnishings and decorations, Standen survives today as a remarkable testimony to the ideas of the Arts and Crafts movement.
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Penshurst 18 Miles
One of England's greatest family owned stately homes with a history going back six and a half centuries. A marvellous mix of paintings, tapestries and furniture from the 15th, 16th and 17th centuries can be seen throughout the house. The gardens were first laid out in the 14th century and have been developed over successive years by the Sidney family who first came to Penshurst in 1552.
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Hever Castle 18 Miles
This was the childhood home of Anne Boleyn, Henry VIII's second wife. The castle was later given to Henry VIII's fourth wife, Anne of Cleves. In 1903, the estate was bought by the American millionaire, William Waldorf Astor who spent an immense amount of time, money and imagination in restoring the castle.
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Chartwell 24 Miles
The family home of Sir Winston Churchill from 1924 until the end of his life. Musuem and Exhibition rooms contain displays, sound recordings and superb collections of memorabilia from Sir Winston's political career.
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Brighton Pavillion 30 Miles
The Pavilion is the former seaside residence of King George VI. Originally a simple farmhouse, in 1787 architect Henry Holland created a neo-classical villa on the site. It was later transformed into its current Indian style by John Nash between 1815 and 1822. A quite breathtaking Regency Palace.
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Arundel Castle 36 Miles
Dating from the 11th century, the Castle is both ancient fortification and stately home of the Dukes of Norfolk and their ancestors and is now the principal residence of the present 18th Duke and Duchess and their family.
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Batemans 40 Miles
This was the home of Rudyard Kipling for over 30 years. This home inspired him to write some of his well-loved works including Puck of Pooks Hill and Rewards and Fairies.
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Great Dixter 45 Miles
The birthplace of Christopher Lloyd, gardening author. The house boasts the largest surviving timber-framed hall in the country.
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Leeds Castle 48 Miles
The site of a saxon royal manor, a Norman fortress and a royal palace to the Kings and Queens of England, the chequered history of Leeds Castle continues well into the 20th Century.
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