Skip to content
Menu

Penns in the Rocks

Large garden with spectacular outcrop of rocks, 140 million yrs old. Lake, C18 temple and woods. Daffodils, bluebells, azaleas, magnolia and tulips. Old walled garden with herbaceous borders, roses and shrubs. Stone sculptures by Richard Strachey. Part C18 house (not open) once owned by William Penn of Pennsylvania.

Owner Info

Penns in the Rocks
Penns in the Rocks
Penns in the Rocks
Penns in the Rocks
Penns in the Rocks
Penns in the Rocks
Penns in the Rocks
Penns in the Rocks
Penns in the Rocks
Penns in the Rocks
Penns in the Rocks
Penns in the Rocks
Penns in the Rocks
Penns in the Rocks
Penns in the Rocks
Penns in the Rocks
Penns in the Rocks
Penns in the Rocks

About Penns in the Rocks

Penns in the Rocks is an early 18th Century redbrick house, built for the family of William Penn of Pennsylvania. The house is set opposite a natural outcrop of monumental sandstone rocks, and in the 20th Century was home to Dorothy Wellesley, the Bloomsbury poet and friend of WB Yeates. She erected the temple which faces the front of the house, and which is dedicated to ‘The poets who loved Penns’. In 1956, after her death, Penns was acquired by the Gibson family, who live there still. The late Lord Gibson was Chairman of the Arts Council, and of the National Trust. He and Lady Gibson remodelled the interior of the house, and with the help of Lanning Roper adapted the garden from Dorothy Wellesley’s original design.

Website:

https://www.pennsintherocks.co.uk

Penns in the Rocks features

Location details

Penns in the Rocks,
Tunbridge Wells,
East Sussex,
TN3 9PA

Directions to Penns in the Rocks
On B2188 Groombridge to Crowborough road, just S of Xrd to Withyham. For SatNav use TN6 1UX which takes you to the white drive gates, through which you should enter the property.

Penns in the Rocks openings

For this open day you can book your tickets in advance. Click on the yellow button below to book or you can just turn up and pay on the day.

Refreshments Home-made teas. Cash only on the day. Refreshments in aid of local charity.
Admission Adult: £7.50
Child: Free
Opening times 14:00-18:00

For this open day you can book your tickets in advance. Click on the yellow button below to book or you can just turn up and pay on the day.

Refreshments Home-made teas. Cash only on the day. Refreshments in aid of local charity.
Admission Adult: £7.50
Child: Free
Opening times 14:00-18:00

For this open day you can book your tickets in advance. Click on the yellow button below to book or you can just turn up and pay on the day.

Refreshments Home-made teas. Cash only on the day. Refreshments in aid of local charity.
Admission Adult: £7.50
Child: Free
Opening times 14:00-18:00

Accessibility

  • Restricted wheelchair access. No disabled WC.
  • Share this garden

Other Gardens of Potential Interest

Shambles image
Shambles

A moderately sized and newly designed garden of 3 yrs in the making. Planting favours wildlife, with a stumpery and small wildlife pond to encourage...

Read more
408 Falmer Road image
408 Falmer Road

A quirky ¼ acre garden that sits between the South Downs and the sea. Jam packed with trees, a huge range of shrubs, a colourful palette of...

Read more
Airlie Cottage image
Airlie Cottage

The sloping west facing garden at Airlie Cottage enjoys spectacular views from a new terrace. In 2017 the current owners inherited a totally...

Read more
White Cottage image
White Cottage

White Cottage has an enclosed courtyard garden. There is a small lawn and some paved areas. The beds are slightly raised, mainly comprising cottage...

Read more
1 St Giles Close image
1 St Giles Close

This charming garden has very informal planting, providing colour throughout the yr. There are several mixed borders with colourful herbaceous...

Read more
Portobello image
Portobello

The garden was created in 2000 by the current owners. The site is adjacent to the ancient St Giles Church. The garden has historical interest dating...

Read more
2 Mariteau House image
2 Mariteau House

A sunny garden with plentiful shrubs and trees. Designed on three levels with an upper terrace for seating and then two lower paved areas surrounding...

Read more
Flitterbrook Flower Farm image
Flitterbrook Flower Farm

Flitterbrook Flower Farm started 7 yrs ago in my garden at home which is funnily enough down Flitterbrook Lane, Rushlake Green. I outgrew our garden...

Read more

Don’t miss out

Sign up to our weekly newsletter to hear more about the gardens opening for the National Garden Scheme, events and activities throughout the year

Sign up to our newsletter

FAQs

Payment is by cash only. Please get in touch with the owners for more details.

Sorry, there is no available parking for coaches at Penns in the Rocks at this time.

Sorry, no dogs are allowed in the garden at this time.

Yes, there are various plants offerred for sale at Penns in the Rocks, please enquire with the owners for more details.

Yes, one or more routes at Penns in the Rocks are accessible to wheelchair users.

Yes. Penns in the Rocks seeks to offer a sustainable refuge for nearby fauna and wildlife. These sanctuaries host diverse habitats supporting indigenous flora and fauna and nurturing local biodiversity.