“If you lived there you could make it absolutely divine.” – Virginia Woolf to her sister Vanessa Bell on Charleston.
In 1916 the artists Vanessa Bell and Duncan Grant along with their unconventional household moved to Charleston. Bell and Grant transformed this typical Sussex farmhouse with colour and vibrant decoration, turning it into a decorative masterpiece and vibrant artists’ garden.
Visitors to Charleston have the chance to enter the only complete Bloomsbury interior in the world, and to hear the stories of the remarkable people who lived, visited and worked at Charleston.
1 March 2017 – 29 October 2017
Wednesdays – Saturdays : Guided Tours
March – June : 12pm – 5pm (last entry 4pm)
July and August : 11:30am – 5:30pm (last entry 4:30pm)
September and October : 12pm – 5pm (last entry 4pm)
Sundays and Bank Holiday Mondays : Self-Guided Entry
March – October : 12pm – 5pm (last entry 4pm)
To ensure you get the most out of your visit the House is open by timed entry. We strongly advise that you book your tickets in advance to guarantee entry at your preferred time. You can book tickets with our fast, secure booking site. Tickets can be booked in advance up until midnight of the day before you wish to visit.
If you wish to visit today, a limited number of tickets can be purchased in the Charleston Shop on a first come first served basis.
Wednesday – Sunday and Bank Holiday Mondays
The Garden and Charleston Shop are open one hour before the House and close at the same time as the House.
The Café is open 11am – 5pm, serving light lunches from 12pm – 3pm and teas, coffees and cakes throughout the day.
Out of Season Opening, 30 October – Christmas 2017
The Charleston Shop will be open Saturdays and Sundays, 11am – 4pm.
The House, Garden and Café are not open out of season.
Read more about the House and what to expect on your visit
Read more about the features of the Garden and to what to expect on your visit
In 2014, Gift Aid generated an additional £24,000 for The Charleston Trust which made a significant contribution to the maintenance of the House and Garden. As an independent charity, this additional income is very valuable to us.
House and Grounds |
with voluntary Gift Aid donation |
without voluntary Gift Aid donation |
| Adults | £14.00 | £12.50 |
| Friends of Charleston | FREE | FREE |
| Children (6-18 years)* House tour not recommended for young children. Families with children are recommended to visit on Sundays or Bank Holidays |
£8.50 | £7.50 |
| Accessible (restricted mobility, ground floor-only)** |
£8.50 | £7.50 |
| Concessions (Green traveller, student, jobseeker; proof required)*** |
£13.00 | £11.50 |
| Family ticket (up to 2 adults and up to 2 children) | £38.00 | £34.00 |
| National Art Pass (Wed – Sat Charleston Tours) | £7.00 | £6.25 |
| National Art Pass (Sunday and BH Monday Self-Guided entry) | FREE | FREE |
Specialist Tours |
||
| 80 minute Centenary Tour | £16.00 | £14.50 |
| Friends of Charleston | FREE | FREE |
Garden only |
||
| Adults | £5.00 | £4.50 |
| Children | £2.75 | £2.50 |
*Children under 6 are free but tickets must be booked, as spaces are strictly limited. We recommend families with children visit on Sundays when you are free to explore the House at your own pace. Tours are not recommended for young children.
**Accessible tickets can be booked online, however if you have any questions we are happy to discuss your visit in advance. Please call the Visitor Manager on 01323 811626. Access information can be found below.
***Green Concession applies to visitors arriving by means other than their car (public transport, on foot or on bike). We do not offer senior concessions. Proof of eligibility is required for concession ticket holders.
Charleston is sign-posted off the A27 Brighton to Eastbourne road, 7 miles east of Lewes, between the villages of Firle and Selmeston.
The access road to Charleston from the A27 is a narrow rural road. The road is uneven and has deep ditches on either sides; please take care and use the regular passing points if you encounter oncoming traffic.
All cars and coaches should follow the signs to the main car park which is approximately a 200 metre walk from the House entrance. There are dedicated accessible spaces in the top car park which is approximately a 50 metre walk from the House entrance.
There is a regular service from London Victoria to Lewes which is 7 miles from Charleston. There is a taxi office at Lewes station.
The nearest station is Berwick, approximately 4 miles from Charleston. There is no taxi rank at this station. If walking from Berwick station, please be aware that some routes will lead you along the busy A27. It is advisable to carry an ordinance survey map of the area.
The Seaford and District service 125 runs from Lewes, Wednesday – Friday
The Cuckmere Community Bus runs on Saturdays. This service stops at both the bus station and Station Street in Lewes.
Please ask the driver to let you know where along the A27 to disembark for Charleston. It is a 15 minute walk up a single track lane to get to the site from the bus stop.
Call 01273 510181 or view here for more timetable details.
There is no bus service on Sundays or Bank Holiday Mondays except during The Charleston Festival and the Small Wonder Festivals, when a shuttle bus service to and from Lewes is scheduled to operate.
Charleston is situated in the heart of the South Downs National Park, an ‘Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty’ (AONB). If you are walking or cycling to Charleston, we recommend using an ordnance survey map. Find Charleston on Ordnance Survey Landranger maps 198 and 199, and on Ordnance Survey Explorer maps 122 and 123.
We offer green concessions for entry to the house and gardens for anyone not arriving by car.
View Larger Map (opens in new tab)
The Garden and grounds are partially accessible with pathways and viewing points made from bound earth with lime and gravel. Due to the historic nature of the Garden design, some pathways are narrow and irregular and the ground can be uneven.
Dedicated parking spaces are available closer to the House in the top car park, approximately 50 metres from the House entrance. The main car park is approximately 250 metres from the House entrance.
Due to the domestic scale of the house we are only able to accommodate wheelchairs with dimensions less than 115cm (L) X 65cm (W)/ 45″ (L) X 25″ (W).
Charleston has two visitor wheelchairs which can be reserved in advance or booked on the day.
For visitors with restricted mobility, we offer Garden and ground floor only tickets for the House. Accessible tickets can be booked online and include a free ticket for a companion
Guide dogs are welcome in the House, Garden, Shop, Café and throughout the site.
We welcome any questions about your visit by telephone on 01323 811 626 or by email to info@charleston.org.uk
27 NovDue to popular demand we’ve added a second Woodcut Christmas Card session with artist Helen Brown. Helen More
01 DecTutor Su Blackwell will guide you through the delicate art of paper cutting and sculpting, working More
04 DecThis day long workshop will guide you step by step through the art of Christmas wreath More
