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Charleston

Created in 1918 by Roger Fry, Charleston’s walled garden became a painter’s paradise and sanctuary for artists Vanessa Bell and Duncan Grant. Alive with colour from spring bulbs to summer roses, autumn dahlias to daisies, it brims with creativity and cottage charm. Still artistically tended, it offers inspiration year-round and hosts Festival of the Garden in July.

Owner Info

Charleston
Charleston
Charleston
Charleston
Charleston
Charleston
Charleston
Charleston
Charleston
Charleston

About Charleston

Designed as a living painting and enriched with sculpture, the walled garden at Charleston was created by art critic Roger Fry in 1918. With its rectangular lawn, gravel paths and flowerbeds, it has served as canvas, studio, prop store, stage and sanctuary for Bloomsbury artists Vanessa Bell and Duncan Grant.

Quintessentially a painter’s garden, each year it bursts with the colourful flowers its former custodians loved to paint, combining Mediterranean influences with cottage garden planting.

The artistic spirit of the garden is kept alive through vibrant successional planting curated by Charleston’s dedicated team of gardeners. From colourful bulbs in early spring, to fragrant roses and towering hollyhocks in summer, and finally dahlias and Michaelmas daisies in autumn, the garden offers a long season of interest and inspiration.

Home to the annual ‘Festival of the Garden’ each July, the walled garden, pond and grounds at Charleston remain open year-round for discovery, inspiration and quiet contemplation.

Opening for the NGS for pre-booked only tours at 10am and 11am on Friday, June 12th.
Join Head Gardener Harry Hoblyn, for a tour and talk about the history of the garden and how Harry maintains and develops the garden today.

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Website:

https://www.charleston.org.uk

Charleston features

Location details

Charleston,
Firle,
Lewes,
Sussex,
BN8 6LL

Directions to Charleston
From A27 follow narrow lane with deep ditches either side. Parking 200 metres from house entrance. Blue badge parking only 50 metres from house. Please arrive promptly for tour & talk to start.

Charleston openings

For this open day you need to pre-book your ticket in advance. To book tickets please click on the book button below.

Refreshments Tour & talk about the garden at 10am & 11am with Head Gardener.
Admission Adult: £12.50
Child: £0.00
Opening times 10:00-12:00

Accessibility

  • Garden and grounds partially accessible. Gravel pathways, some uneven and narrow.
  • Share this garden

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FAQs

Yes, cashless payment is accepted.

Yes, coaches are accepted at Charleston. Please get in touch with the owners for details.

Yes, dogs are welcome at Charleston. Please keep the dogs on fixed short leads in the garden and keep in mind that you are responsible for controlling the dog’s behaviour. For any specific rules please ask the owners.

There are no plants for sale for the time being.

Yes, one or more routes at Charleston are accessible to wheelchair users.

Charleston is not explicitly a wildlife garden, but you may still find various indigenous flora and fauna.