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The Priest House

C15 timber framed farmhouse with cottage garden on acid clay. Large collection of culinary and medicinal herbs in a small formal herb garden and mixed with perennials and shrubs in exuberant borders. Long established yew topiary and espalier apple trees provide structural elements. Traditional fernery and stumpery, recently enlarged with a small, secluded shrubbery and gravel garden.

Owner Info

The Priest House
The Priest House
The Priest House
The Priest House
The Priest House
The Priest House
The Priest House
The Priest House
The Priest House
The Priest House
The Priest House
The Priest House
The Priest House
The Priest House
The Priest House
The Priest House
The Priest House
The Priest House

About The Priest House

The Priest House sits on the western edge of Ashdown Forest in the historic and picturesque Wealden village of West Hoathly. A timber-framed hall house built in the 15th century for the Priory of St. Pancras in Lewes, the property was seized by Henry VIII in 1538 and belonged in turn to Thomas Cromwell, Anne of Cleves, Mary I and Elizabeth I. Central chimneys and a fine Horsham stone roof were added in the 16th century to create a substantial yeoman farmer’s house. The House was opened as a museum in 1908 by Charlotte and John Godwin King and contains a varied collection of 17th and 18th century country furniture, ironwork, textiles and other domestic bygones, displayed in furnished rooms. Temporary exhibitions also take place throughout the season. Charlotte and John Godwin King were neighbours of William Robinson of Gravetye Manor, and friends of Gertrude Jekyll (who included photographs of the house in her 1925 book ‘Old English Household Life’), and the small cottage garden was first established in 1908, on the fertile acid Wealden clay, following their design philosophies. The garden is still influenced by Robinson’s concept of the “wild garden” with mixed perennials, shrubs and herbs in densely planted, exuberant borders with structural elements provided by long-established yew topiary and espalier apple trees. In 2022 the herbaceous borders were substantially replanted following the removal of box hedges that were badly damaged by blight. A large collection of culinary, medicinal and ritual herbs can be found throughout the garden and in a small formal garden to the south of the house. A traditional fernery and stumpery and a small, secluded shrubbery and gravel garden have also been added at the back of the house in recent years to complete the picture.

Website:

https://www.sussexpast.co.uk

The Priest House features

Location details

The Priest House,
West Hoathly,
Sussex,
RH19 4PP

Directions to The Priest House
In centre of West Hoathly village, nr church & The Cat Inn. Car parks in village.

The Priest House openings

You can just turn up and pay on the day.

Refreshments Tea, coffee & cake.
Admission Adult: £3.00
Child: Free
Opening times 10:30-17:30

You can just turn up and pay on the day.

Refreshments Tea, coffee & cake.
Admission Adult: £3.00
Child: Free
Opening times 10:30-17:30

Accessibility

  • No information available at this time, please get in touch with the owners for details.
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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 The Priest House at this time.

Yes, dogs are welcome at The Priest House. 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.

Yes, there are various plants offerred for sale at The Priest House, please enquire with the owners for more details.

Sorry, The Priest House does not yet accommodate wheelchair users.

Yes. The Priest House 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.