Lamb House
SussexGeorgian house in Rye, built in 1723; once a mayoral residence that welcomed King George I and later home to writers Henry James and E. F. Benson.
West Street, Rye, East Sussex, TN31 7ES
Important notice
M T W T F S S Open
Closed
Opening times for 19 February 2026
Asset Opening time House Closed Garden Closed Lamb House reopens from Monday 23 March 2026.
House and garden (from 23 March 2026)
Ticket type With Gift Aid Without Gift Aid Adult (18+) £11.00 £10.00 Child (5-17) under 5s free £5.50 £5.00 Family (2 Adults and up to 3 children) £26.40 £24.00 One adult family £16.50 £15.00 Become a member and discover more than 500 places
- Assistance dogs only
Only assistance dogs are allowed at Lamb House.
- Toilet
Toilets are located in the courtyard and on the ground floor of the house.
No onsite parking. Toilets in the courtyard and on the ground floor. Assistance dogs only. Three steps to entrance of building. Ground floor has steps, small rooms. Two flights of stairs to first floor. Partly accessible grounds, some steps, uneven, narrow and loose gravel paths.
- Seating available
- Steps/uneven terrain
There are three steps to the entrance of the building. The ground floor has steps and small rooms. There are two flights of stairs to the first floor. The grounds are partially accessible but please be wary of steps and uneven, narrow gravel paths.
- By train
- Rye main line station, (Southern Railway) short walk up hill. Rye Station Building, Station Approach, Rye TN31 7AB Walk north-east on Rye Platform 2 Turn right towards Station Approach Turn right towards Station Approach Turn left onto Station Approach Station Approach turns slightly right and becomes Market Rd Turn right onto High St Turn left onto West St and arrive at Lamb House on right at the top of hill.
- Cycling
Highlights
House
Red-brick fronted Georgian house with literary associations.
The White Parlour
Historic exhibition space currently displaying 300 years of history at Lamb House.
Walled garden
Walled garden with roses, lilies, spring bulbs and many herbaceous varieties bordering the lawn.
Vegetable Garden
Award-winning Vegetable Garden during its Victorian origins, filled with seasonal produce.
Spotlight events
Community Coffee Mornings
Join us as we open the garden at Lamb House on the last Wednesday of the month for our Community Coffee Morning. We've joined the Chatty Cafe Scheme which means we have a designated Chatter & Natter table to encourage people of all ages to talk to others. The table will be hosted by one of our friendly volunteers each month. Feel free to drop in to have a chat or just enjoy the peaceful surroundings. You can also grab a courtesy cup of tea or coffee in the Courtyard Room. Dates: Last Wednesday of the month | Time: 10.30am to 11.30am | Price: Free
Things to see and do
Explore inside Lamb House
Look behind the Georgian façade and see how this house inspired writers such as Henry James and E.F. Benson. Step inside their favourite writing room or see the bed fit for a king.
Restoring the Green Parlour
Discover the recent work undertaken to restore the Green Parlour at Lamb House, featuring Henry James' Secretaire.
The garden at Lamb House
Discover an evocative garden tucked away behind the walls at Lamb House. It has an intimate, tranquil feel with borders packed full of flowers, a vegetable garden and shady trees.
Upcoming events
Community Coffee Mornings at Lamb House
Fancy a chat over a cuppa? Come along to our free coffee mornings on the last Wednesday of every month, with a designated Chatter & Natter table.
About Lamb House
Red-brick fronted house with literary associations - both Henry James and E. F. Benson lived here.
The garden
Lamb House has a walled garden, one of the largest gardens in the old town of Rye; it was designed as we see it today by a friend of Henry James called Alfred Parsons.
Find roses, lilies, spring bulbs and many herbaceous varieties bordering the lawn which ensure continuous colour and interest throughout the year.
Also to be found in the garden are the graves of James’ much loved dogs. The garden is a tranquil contrast to the busy streets of the town in the summer and sitting beside the pond one can fully understand why James had such affection for his garden. Today the garden is a refuge for visitors and local people alike.
History
The history of Lamb House
Find out about this Georgian house and walled garden nestled in the heart of Rye. Discover the decades of inspiration it gave literary greats such as Henry James and E.F. Benson.
Our work
Watch Lamb House on Hidden Treasures of the National Trust
We’re one of the places featured in series three of the BBC's Hidden Treasures of the National Trust. The show goes behind the scenes to hear from the experts who look after treasured objects, including Henry James' secretaire in episode one. Click here to watch the series and find out more about the other places in the show.
Our work in the garden at Lamb House
Read up on the literary inspiration that guides how we look after the garden of Lamb House in Rye.
Mapp and Lucia filmed at Lamb House
Find out about filming Mapp and Lucia at Lamb House, in Rye, through the experiences of those on set for the BBC comedy drama.
Support us
Volunteer opportunities at Lamb House
Find out about volunteering with the team at Lamb House. With various opportunities in the house and garden, you could help us protect this special place.
