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The Red House

The former home of the renowned British composer Benjamin Britten and partner, the tenor Peter Pears. The five acre garden provides an atmospheric setting for the house they shared and contain many plants loved by the couple. Mixed herbaceous borders, kitchen garden, meadows, contemporary planting and mature trees.

Owner Info

The Red House
The Red House
The Red House
The Red House
The Red House
The Red House
The Red House
The Red House
The Red House
The Red House
The Red House
The Red House
The Red House
The Red House
The Red House
The Red House
The Red House
The Red House

About The Red House

The tranquil garden maintains the 1950s and 1960s domestic setting that reflects the period Britten and Pears were living at The Red House. Elements of its former life as a farm are still present and give the garden structure and character.

There are traditional ‘cottage garden’ mixed borders that surround the house and provide it with a wonderful setting to its musical history. The courtyard displays a magnificent Chinese wisteria, and on the croquet lawn a venerable Irish yew and gnarly Mulberry tree are among notable mature trees on the site. Contemporary beds in front of the Archive building are planted with grasses, bamboos, dogwood and willow to complement a modernist sculpture by artist Geoffrey Clarke. Adjacent, Himalayan birches are complimented by beds planted with pollinator-friendly drought resistant plants for a long summer display.

There is a productive kitchen garden with fruit bushes, seasonal vegetables and ornamental beds with dahlias and sweet peas. The orchard contains apples, pears and stone fruit, and is underplanted with camassia, snakes head fritillaries, and native daffodils and tulips. The Rose terrace beds have recently been restored and planted with rose varieties grown by Britten and Pears.

Website:

https://brittenpearsarts.org/visit-us/the-red-house

The Red House features

Location details

The Red House,
Aldeburgh,
Suffolk,
IP15 5PZ

Directions to The Red House
From A12, take A1094 to Aldeburgh. Follow the brown sign directing you towards the r'about, take 1st exit: B1122 Leiston Rd. Golf Ln is 2nd L, follow sign to ‘The Red House’.

The Red House openings

This garden has now completed its National Garden Scheme openings for this year.

Accessibility

  • Wheelchair access: brick, concrete, gravel paths and grass. Some areas are uneven. Wheelchair available on request.
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FAQs

Yes, cashless payment is accepted.

Sorry, there is no available parking for coaches at The Red House at this time.

Yes, dogs are welcome at The Red 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.

There are no plants for sale for the time being.

Yes, one or more routes at The Red House are accessible to wheelchair users.

Yes. The Red 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.