The King's Room
The King’s Room on the first floor acquired its name when George I [sic] was forced ashore by a storm and sought shelter for several nights there. Lamb House was the home of the Mayor and deemed the most suitable dwelling to accommodate the King, who was given its finest room.
This room was also used by Henry James as a guest room (a traditional Benson continued). Unfortunately, there are no archival images showing how the room was furnished during James’ tenure – though the 18th-century panelling and corner chimney piece survive.
The Green Room
A visit to Lamb House now includes the Green Room which was used by Henry James and EF Benson as a writing room. Later this tradition was continued by National Trust Tenants; Montgomery Hyde, Rumer Godden and Brian Batsford Cook.
The garden room, where James and Benson enjoyed writing during the summer, was destroyed in 1940 during the war. The Green Room therefore, retaining some of its historic features, is the only space at Lamb House that is linked to James’ work. James wrote his three major novels amongst many others; ‘The Wings of the Dove’ (1902), ‘The Ambassadors’ (1903) and ‘The Golden Bowl’ (1904) in this room.