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Monk's House
Leonard and Virginia Woolf's 17th-century country retreat
Rodmell, Lewes, East Sussex, BN7 3HF
Book a visit
Important notice
EMERGENCY NOTE: the C7 (road connecting Lewes to Newhaven) is currently closed south of Rodmell (Monk's Hse) due to an accident. Visitors journeying from the coast road will need to find an alternative route. Road open as normal from A27 and Lewes.
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Whole property
Ticket type With Gift Aid Without Gift Aid Adult (18+) £12.10 £11.00 Child (5-17) under 5s free £6.10 £5.50 Family (2 Adults and up to 3 children) £30.30 £27.50 1 adult, 2 children £18.20 £16.50 Become a member and discover more than 500 places
- Bookshop
Second hand bookshop. NEW for 2022
- Car park
Located 100 yards further on from the property on right hand side of The Street (the main thoroughfare through Rodmell). Space for 28 cars. 1 disabled space and bicycle parking. Height restriction barrier of 6ft 6 or 198cm. Motorhomes and caravan owners will need to find space elsewhere in village, though roads are narrow and need to be passable by tractors.
- Dogs allowed
Dogs allowed in garden on lead. No dog bins
- Shop
Small area selling guidebooks, postcards and some second hand books.
Limited car parking 100 yards further on. Steps and uneven paths. Two helpers required for lifting wheelchairs into house. Visitor toilet is small outdoor privy. Dogs in garden on short leads only.
- Braille (guide or menu)
Short braille guide available from visitor reception
- Designated parking
1 small space directly opposite entrance inside main car park.
- Drop-off point
Outside garage (visitor reception).
- Seating available
A chair is available in each room of the house if required.
- Steps/uneven terrain
Pathways are narrow and uneven. Paths are slippery when wet.
- By road
Rodmell is a small rural village located roughly 4 miles south of Lewes and 5 miles north of Newhaven on the C7 road.
Approaching from the A27
From the West (Brighton, London) journey along the A27 and at the first Lewes roundabout take the third exit signposted 'Kingston' (height and weight restrictions apply on this road). From the opposite direction (Eastbourne, Hastings) travel along the A27 ignoring initial exits for Lewes until you reach a roundabout signed posted Lewes right and Kingston left. Take the first exit left to Kingston. Continue through the village of Kingston until you reach the junction with the C7 road (signposted Lewes left and Newhaven right). Turn right and follow this road until you reach Rodmell. Take the first road on the left after the Abergavenny Arms public house, signposted 'The Street'. Monk's House is located 400 yards further down on the right hand side. The National Trust car park is located 100 yards further on. Please try to avoid parking on the lane, as these spaces are intended for Rodmell residents.
Approaching from the A259
From the West (Brighton) as you enter Newhaven the A259 descends and merges with the one-way system from your right. Stay in the left hand lane and take the immediate left signposted Rodmell. From the East (Seaford, Eastbourne) enter Newhaven crossing over the river and you will merge into the one-way system that circles the main town centre. Ignore the exit for Brighton and take the next exit on your left signposted Rodmell.Continue along the C7 road until you reach the village of Rodmell. Take the road on your right before the Abergavenny Arms public house, signposted 'The Street'. Monk's House is located 400 yards further down on the right hand side. The National Trust car park is located 100 yards further on. Please try to avoid parking on the lane, as these spaces are intended for Rodmell residents. Please note there is no access from A26.Parking: Parking located 100 yards further on from property. One designated disabled space. Height restriction barrier of 6ft 6 or 198cm.
Sat Nav: The postcode for Monk's House is unsuitable for use with Satellite Navigation devices as it more often than not guides users down the A26 and across an impassable railway crossing.
- On foot
There are many ways to visit us without bringing the car. Walk in Virginia's footsteps along the river from Southease railway station or Lewes. If you're feeling a little more energetic hike the South Downs Way or take a walk to Charleston Farmhouse , the home of Virginia's sister Vanessa Bell and Duncan Grant. There are a variety of routes available to suit all abilities. Walkers are welcome to leave their day packs at our visitor reception.
- By train
The nearest mainline station is in Lewes, where trains run from London (Victoria Station), Brighton, and Eastbourne. Southern Trains also stop at Southease Station which is convenient for local residents and walkers. It is a pleasant walk (approx 1.5 mile) along the river and through the water meadows to Rodmell or via the village of Southease. We advise consulting a map before travel as Monk's House is not signposted once you alight at these rural stations. Train timetables for journeys to Lewes and Brighton, or to Newhaven and Seaford, can be found Southern Railways
- By bus
There are two buses which serve Rodmell, the 123 and the 130. The 130 is a weekday service from Rodmell to Brighton Station only. The main service is the 123 bus travelling in both directions Lewes to Newhaven. It operates 7 days per week and stops near the Abergavenny Arms in Rodmell, just a short walk from Monk's House. Details of times can be found on the national travel web site, Traveline. Also one can load down an app which links with Traveline and is very easy to use: http://www.traveline.info or http://www.buschecker.com/?app=UK You can also plan your bus travel in East Sussex on this web site: http://www.cartogold.co.uk/eastsussextransport/map.htm This site is particularly useful if you're planning onward journeys connecting by bus. The 123 operates from Lewes Rail Station and Lewes Bus Station as well as from Newhaven Rail Station where it connects with rail services and coastal bus services.
- Cycling
If you like to cycle then Monk's House is an ideal destination. Rodmell is a short ride off the South Downs Way and made easily accessible by the creation of The Egrets Way from Newhaven and Lewes. There are a variety of routes available for different abilities. You are welcome to leave your day packs in our visitor reception. We also have a bike pump and repair kit available for use.
- Please Note
Pre-booking is required for everyone.
Planning your visit
Article
Booking your visit to Monk's House
Once home to Virginia and Leonard Woolf, the small size of Monk's House means pre-booking your visit is essential – discover how to get your ticket.
Article
Group visits to Monk's House
Why not get in touch and arrange a day out at Monk's House for your group. We can make sure you have the perfect day.
Events at Monk's House
Find out about upcoming special events at Monk's House
Project
Project
Restoring Virginia Woolf's shawl
The National Trust carries out vital conservation work in and around Monk's House and the South Downs, helping to protect this historic site for the enjoyment of visitors both now and in the future.
Highlights
House
The 17th-century cottage of Virginia and Leonard Woolf. Full of Bloomsbury treasures, the house reflects its owners and their guests.
Garden
Created by Leonard Woolf, this English cottage garden with its orchard and ponds has incredible views of the Sussex Downs.
Writing Lodge
With its incredible views and garden tranquillity, Virginia Woolf wrote most of her major works here.
Things to see and do
Article
Explore the house at Monk’s House
Explore inside this house full of Bloomsbury Group treasures, including works by Vanessa Bell. Imagine how the house became a writer’s haven for Leonard and Virginia Woolf.
Article
Discover the garden at Monk’s House
Tucked behind the house, the cottage garden is packed full of perennial borders with brick paths weaving throughout, a productive orchard, and climbers trailing across flint walls.
Places to stay
Welbeck Cottage
Nestled on the vast Sheffield Park estate in the glorious Sussex countryside, this gardener’s cottage puts you at the heart of the historic parkland.
The Morris Apartment
A one-bedroom apartment in trademark Arts and Crafts style, on the second floor of Standen House.
Woodlands Cottage
This gamekeeper’s cottage is surrounded by woodland on the Nymans estate.
Top trails
Trail
Southease to Monk's House circular walk
A 3.5-mile circular walk from Southease station to Monk's House, the former home of Virginia and Leonard Woolf.
Upcoming events
Sorry, there are no upcoming events at this place
About Monk's House
Nestled in the heart of rural Sussex, Monk’s House is a tranquil 17th-century weatherboarded cottage inhabited by Leonard and the novelist Virginia Woolf from 1919 until Leonard's death in 1969.
Get to know Leonard and Virginia Woolf and the wider Bloomsbury Group by visiting Monk's House. Full of their favourite things, the house appears as if they just stepped out for a walk.
The Woolfs bought Monk's House for the 'shape and fertility and wildness of the garden'. Today, the lovely cottage garden contains a mix of flowers, vegetables, orchards, lawns and ponds.
Donate now to conserve the collection at Monk's House
This year we are fundraising for the repair of Virginia Woolf's only surviving piece of clothing; a shawl gifted by Lady Ottoline Morrell in 1933.
OR
£
Will pay for conservator time to repair the fragile silk
History
Article
The history of Monk’s House
Find out about this 17th-century house and its journey from farmstead to mill-owner’s residence and finally the home and retreat of well-known writers Virginia and Leonard Woolf.
Article
Who was Virginia Woolf?
The author Virginia Woolf was a leading figure of the Bloomsbury movement in the early 20th century. Read about how her life was shaped by her unconventional approach to gender and sexuality.
Art and collections
Monk's House objects and collections
Explore the objects and works of art we care for at Monk's House on the National Trust Collections website.
Support us
Article
Volunteer with us at Monk's House
Find out about the kind of volunteering opportunities we have on offer, from gardening to room guiding. Join our friendly team to learn new skills, meet new people and have fun.