Public tours

Our guides bring the story of Charleston and its inhabitants to life.

The Charleston tour: an excellent introduction to Charleston, this tour tells the story of Vanessa Bell, Duncan Grant and their family and friends from their arrival at the house in 1916 to the creation of the Charleston Trust in the 1980s. 60 minutes. Wednesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays and selected Fridays (please see below).

Friday tour: A new extended tour is written every two years, focusing on a particular aspect of the collection or history of the house. This year the tour focuses on Collecting at Charleston, asking what we can learn from the collecting habits of Vanessa Bell, Clive Bell and Duncan Grant and exploring how their collections came together to create this vibrant and individual home. 90 minutes. Fridays throughout the season (except during July and August, 6th April, 25th May, 1st June and 28th September)

Entry to the house is by guided tour only, Wednesday to Saturday
Public tours start throughout the afternoon on these days every fifteen or twenty minutes. There are nine places available on every tour. Tickets are sold in the shop on the afternoon in question for the next available tour only. We regret we cannot take advance bookings.

We are able to pre-book a limited number of exclusive tours outside public opening times. Call 01323 811 626 to check availability.