Charleston House and Gardens, Firle, Sussex. Paid entry

Details

Accessibility

Disability Parking, Disability Toilet and Baby Changing Facilities.

See https://www.charleston.org.uk/access-facilities/

Brief description

"In 1916, the painter Vanessa Bell and her friend and lover Duncan Grant moved to Charleston along with Duncan’s partner David Garnett. It was the height of the First World War and, as conscientious objectors, Garnett and Grant needed to find farm work to avoid conscription.

Almost as soon as they moved in, Bell and Grant began to paint every surface in the farmhouse, transforming it into a living, breathing work of art. Over the following decades, Charleston became a gathering point for some of the 20th century’s most radical artists, writers and thinkers known collectively as the Bloomsbury group. It is where they lived out their progressive social and artistic ideals. Today, it continues to be a place that brings people together to engage with art and ideas."

Address

Charleston

Firle, West Firle

Lewes BN8 6LL

Email

info@charleston.org.uk

Phone

01323 811626

Website

https://www.charleston.org.uk

Directions

"By car:

There are signs to Charleston from the A27 Brighton to Eastbourne.

From the A27, you reach Charleston along a narrow country lane. There are deep ditches on either side and a very bumpy surface. Please take care!

Parking is free: follow the signs to the main car park. This is about 200m away from the entrance to the house.

There are a number of accessible spaces closer to the house (a 50m walk). Please follow the accessible parking signs.

Note: some sat navs get confused about our location. To avoid ending up somewhere unexpected, please refer to the directions above.

By bike or on foot:

Charleston is in the heart of the South Downs National Park which is an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB). We would recommend walking or cycling around the area when you visit us. 

If arriving by bike or on foot, we would recommend planning your journey before you set off. 

You can find Charleston on OS Landranger maps 198 and 199 and OS Explorer maps 122 and 123. "

Opening Times

Always check with the venue directly for up-to-date information including opening times and admission charges as they may be subject to change

https://www.charleston.org.uk/opening-times/

and https://www.charleston.org.uk/admission-prices/

Transport

"By train:

From London:

There is a regular service from London Victoria to Lewes which is seven miles from Charleston. 

At Lewes there is a taxi rank and advance booking is not necessary unless arriving early in the morning or late at night.

Onward journey information from Lewes station can be found on the National Rail website. 

From Berwick:

The closest station to Charleston is Berwick, which is around four miles away. There are hourly trains from Brighton and Eastbourne to Berwick.

There is no taxi rank at Berwick.

By bus:

Travel by bus to Charleston is limited and we strongly recommend you plan your journey in advance.

Cuckmere Buses run the number 25 calling at Charleston between the station in Lewes to Eastbourne on a Saturday. Call 01323 870 920 or click here for more timetable details.

We offer concessionary rates on entry for people arriving by bus and other green travellers."

Amenities

café in The Threshing Barn

Shop