Join
Enjoy access to more than 500 places with National Trust membership. Join today and help protect nature, beauty and history – for everyone, for ever.
Lamb House
A stunning Georgian house with literary connections to some of the greatest writers of the 20th century, now in its 300th year
West Street, Rye, East Sussex, TN31 7ES
Opening times for 4 December 2023
Asset Opening time House 11:00 - 16:00 Garden 11:00 - 16:00 The house and garden is open from Monday 27 November until Wednesday 20 December for our 1970s Christmas event. Open daily excl. Thursdays, 11am - 4pm, last entry 3:30pm
MTWTFSS2728293012345678910111213141516171819202122232425262728293031OpenPartially openClosedAssistance 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 road
Parking: No parking available at the property, multiple car parks around Rye.
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.
By bicycle
Planning your visit
Article
A 1970s Christmas at Lamb House
Travel back to the 1970s for a fun, colourful transformation of the House, with decorations, family crafts and more.
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
Article
A 1970s Christmas at Lamb House
Travel back to the 1970s for a fun, colourful transformation of the House, with decorations, family crafts and more.
300 Years of Lamb House Exhibition
From its conception in 1723 to the literary prowess of past inhabitants and the legacy preserved to this day, explore 300 years of history at Lamb House
Things to see and do
Article
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.
Article
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
Event
The Fairy Doll Trail
The Christmas Fairy Doll and her friends have hidden themselves around Lamb House. Can you find them all?
Event
A 1970s Christmas at Lamb House (27 Nov - 20 Dec)
Step back in time to the 1970s for a nostalgic Christmas inspired by author Rumer Godden's time at Lamb House.
Event
300 Years at Lamb House Exhibition
Explore the rich history of Lamb House now in its 300th year.
Event
Christmas Card Workshop at Lamb House
Get inspired with artist Amanda Cardoso and make cards you can take home for Christmas! In celebration of the book launch for the 2023 Manderley Press edition of Rumer Godden's 'China Court'.
Event
'The Fairy Doll' Storybook Hour
Join us for weekly storybook hours of Rumer Godden's Christmas tale 'The Fairy Doll'.
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
Article
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
Article
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.
Article
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
Article
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.