Charleston

Superb!! Everyone should go. Inspiring for any creatives and fascinating history of the Bloomsbury set. Lovely cafe and shop. Beautiful countryside and the garden was lovely even in autumn. English creativity and eccentricity at its best.a very generous experience - soul enriching!

As if the time was put on stand still , the very nice guides convey a good impression about what the life in the house has been like. The cafe place in the barn offers snacks of high quality. An easy an pleasant visit every time of the year.

What a captivating history awaits you at this wonderful living work of art! I adored walking around this house, learning from the docents who are placed in each room, ready to tell you about any detail that piques your interest. There is a brilliant app that offers insights into each room. Understandably you’re not allowed to play the audio tour aloud, and I didn’t have headphones, so I focused on being present in the space and interacting with the knowledgeable volunteers. Once I made it to the large cafe, I was able to find a quiet corner and listen to the tour while my memory of each room was still fresh. I was transported to the era of the home being alive with artists and writers. It was a safe haven for we would now call queer and poly relationships, “unconventional” marriages, where everyone got to be free to focus on their pleasure and their art. Take the time to walk around the grounds, which is described as “a painter’s garden…exuberant and not intended to be tasteful or restrained.” There is even a little scavenger hunt to do of the various statues you can find hiding among the shrubbery. I hope to come back here to soak up the atmosphere again. For maximum enjoyment, bring your headphones and use your imagination!

Fabulous intimate experience of some of the UK's most important artists in the 20th century and a hugely enjoyable insight into Vanessa Bell, Duncan Grantham and their circle. Visited on a quiet wet winter Saturday and had it almost to ourselves so we could immerse ourselves in the lowing cattle and creaky floorboards.

Brilliant experience. The house is beautiful and absolutely fascinating. We visited on a cold January day and spent a good hour and a half there, exploring each room of the house and learning about the lives of the Bloomsbury Group. There are volunteers in each room who are very friendly and happy to answer any questions - they had a wealth of knowledge and really brought the house to life. Highly recommended.

No words for how cool the house and gardens are. If you are interested in interiors, gardens, design, art, and/or the Bloomsbury Group, it is so worth a pilgrimage. Paired gorgeously with a visit to Monks House.

Really lovely museum celebrating Vanessa Bell, Duncan Grant and the Bloomsbury Circle. Remarkable property with early 20th century furniture, textiles and decor - Originals and some painstaking restoration items. Really evocative. Room guides informative and friendly. Entry to the house is pre-booked (which I did on the day) to avoid overcrowding. Also visited the Roger Fry exhibition which is on until March 2026. Fry was an artist and critic and advocate for post-impressionism. Very enjoyable. As with all my visits anywhere, I dropped in at the café and can highly recommend the 4 cheese and onion toasties, absolutely yum.

Just stunning, absolutely stunning. We managed to time our visit on a cold December day when we were literally the only visitors in the house and were treated to a quiet and unhurried tour by the thoroughly charming and friendly guides. Words cannot do justice - such a fascinating place lived in by fascinating and talented people. The studio room will take your breath away. A must visit.

This charming country house is a must for anyone interested in the Bloomsbury group. Vanessa Bell--Virginia Woolf's sister--and Duncan Grant lived and painted here for many years. The understanding landlord let them decorate the walls, fireplaces, armoires, you name it. The volunteer docents are a wealth of knowledge--including tidbits about the sex lives of these bohemian intellectuals. There's also a wonderful English garden in the back. We even found the onsite café delightful. You won't be disappointed if you visit.

This is a fantastic place to head for anyone interested in art and literature. The country home of the Bloomsbury Group; Duncan Grant and Vanessa Bell's unconventional household of artists and writers is open to the public and contains an array of paintings, murals and painted furniture that has taken 60 years to come to fruition. As Bell herself said: "It will be an odd life, but...it ought to be a good one for painting." It takes a good half a day to enjoy everything there is to see at Charleston and in the busy weekend days, it can be a bit tricky getting people inside the rooms but there's plenty more to see around the estate if certain rooms are full. I can't recommend this place enough to form part of your day out in Lewes. A very special place indeed.

Charlston house is tucked away down a lane on the A27 just past Lewes. You do get the obligatory brown road sign and I must admit that it took a BA History of Art excursion to get me there. Trust me, a visit is well worth it. The house was the base of the Bloomsbury art group just before and during the First World War. The best way to describe the house is a canvas for the artists. Whether its painted colanders for lamp shades or painted walls as wallpaper, this is probably a bespoke a house decor as you will ever see. The main painting studio is still set up as it would have been for the artists, including original tubes of oil paint (I inherited my granddad's old paint set and found the same tubes of oil paint that sit on the benches here) . We were lucky enough to get to see the private room of Vanessa Bell in the attic, but even without this exclusive addition, there is more than enough to see for your money. I would suggest going to the house on a nice day, as the gardens (including a pond) are very pleasant. Echoing Jame's advise, you may want to try and get to the house on a weekday, as some of the rooms and corridors are somewhat small. I'm sure that any children will be captivated by the magic of the house and if you fancy some DIY interior design, you would find great inspiration at Charlston. Certainly a top day out if you are looking for something a little different in the area.

I would agree whole-heartedly with the previous reviews - the house is lovely and set in gorgeous surroundings. My wife and I are fascinated by Bloomsbury history - this is a must for all fans and highly recommended for anyone visiting the Lewes area.

Most beautiful historical country place kept in great condition. Houses the best representation of artistic endeavors by the Bloomsbury group or artists and writers. The decorative art pieces are amazing- wall murals, lighting fixtures, painted furniture, artsy ceramics, textiles, just amazing. Very know knowledgable staff, excellent cafe and gift shop. Worth the trip- And I came all the way from America!