Charleston

My wife and I visited this wonderful old rambling farmhouse in Sussex on a gloriously sunny day after my wife had expressed a desire to visit using her Art fund pass. As I was not a member we just had to pay £12 for me to enter. I did not know what to expect and was pleasantly surprised about what I learnt about various members of the so-called 'Bloomsbury group', basically a collective of quite well-known artists and original thinkers who used to live or meet in this bohemian place.The famous economist Keynes lived here,as did Virginia Woolf's sister and other members of the Bell family. The farmhouse is huge and consists of many rooms that you are allowed to visit all highly decorated.You can pre-book your tickets online and go on a pre-booked tour or do as we did visit on a Sunday and buy tickets in the shop on the day. This entailed a short wait before we were allowed to enter the house where each room had a knowledgeable tour guide.You get a true flavour of what life must have been like for the inhabitants who were all privileged and highly educated people.Arty and variously talented these people lived a fascinating life in this huge commune-like building. It has a very good cafe and a wonderful garden and pond with fish set in the magnificent Sussex countryside.There's plenty of parking spaces and good toilet facilities. Further buildings/sheds etc are being slowly restored and improved. If you are interested in British history buildings gardens or art this place makes for an interesting day out.

DaveL

Well, I've been to Charleston many times. The Bloomsbury Group fascinate me. The house more so. If you haven't been, and you are interested culturally, then you must go! You won't be disappointed! It is simply amazing. Nestling in the South Downs it is easy to find, easy to park. They do have a restaurant, but beware - it's jolly expensive and a bit dull . I don't mind paying for grub, but crikey! There's an element of feeling ripped off! The tour of the house is to be recommended. It is marvellous and the guides amazing. They inspire you. Each guide highlights different things! Plus the garden is lovely, and even though I've seen it multiple times, I still love it! In short - go, enjoy!

LacyS

As an artist it is perhaps to my detriment that I was not overly familiar with the Bloomsbury Group. I found the visit to Charleston House both educational but also eye-opening with respect to the dynamics involved in this group of people - especially giving that they did what they did in a very, very conservative era. I guess we should consider these people as pioneers. Overall this is an interesting day out for anybody but particularly for those of an artistic persuasion.

AndyH

Visited here this afternoon,we had a guided tour booked for 12.30, very informative and beautifully presented house. The gardens were beautiful, a lovely couple of hours was spent, would highly recommend.

AngelaF

This was a second visit as there is so much to see it's hard to take all the information in. The guides are very knowledgeable.

BarbaraT