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Standen House and Garden
Arts and Crafts family home with Morris & Co. interiors, set in a beautiful hillside garden
West Hoathly Road, East Grinstead, West Sussex, RH19 4NE
Important notice
If you are joining us for Betwixtmass this weekend please download the app and trail before your arrival.
Opening times for 4 December 2023
Asset Opening time House 11:00 - 15:30 Café 10:00 - 16:00 Garden 10:00 - 16:00 Shop 11:00 - 16:00 Secondhand bookshop 10:00 - 15:00 The garden & car park close at 4pm every day. Visitor Reception closes daily at 3pm. Last orders in the cafe are at 3.30pm & last entry to the garden is 3.30pm. For our twilight openings last entry to the house is at 5pm and the house closes at 5.30pm. Cafe last orders on twilight openings are at 5.45p, and the whoie property, including the garden and shop, closes at 6pm. Free entry to National Trust members. We are open 7 days a week and you do not need to book to visit Standen.
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Ticket type Gift aid Standard Adult £15.40 £14.00 Child £7.70 £7.00 Family £38.50 £35.00 1 adult, two children £23.10 £21.00 Group Adult £13.30 Group Child £6.65 Become a member and discover more than 500 places
Book shop
Second-hand bookshop open 10am - 5pm.
Guided tour
Cafe
Lunches, snacks and freshly made cakes using produce from our Kitchen Garden when in season.
Plant shop
Car park
Open 10am - 5pm.
Shop
Arts & Crafts and Morris & Co. inspired gifts, textiles and ceramics.
Dogs
Well behaved dogs on short leads are welcome.
Toilet
Mobility parking near entrance. Partly accessible grounds with slopes and steps. Adapted toilets.
Accessible toilet
Ramped access/slopes
Narrow corridors
Steps/uneven terrain
By road
2 miles south of East Grinstead, signposted from town centre and B2110 (Turners Hill Road)
Parking: free, 200 yards from reception, cafe, house and shop
By train
East Grinstead mainline station 2 miles away. Taxi rank at station.
By bus
from East Grinstead station to Crawley (passing Three Bridges station), Metrobus service 84 alight at the end of drive, ½ mile walk to entrance along drive. No service on Sundays.
Planning your visit
Article
Christmas at Standen
Arts and Crafts style rooms are dressed with softly lit Christmas trees and decorations inspired by the Beale family's wishes for Christmas. During 'Twilight Lates' weekends in December, see the house atmospherically lit for Christmas. From 18th November see the Standen Christmas tree in the Courtyard and for families, don't miss our fun festive event - a theatrical, sound experience with Spun Glass Theatre.
Events at Standen
Stay up to date with all our events here at Standen including visits to Father Christmas, Christmas twilight openings, local choirs singing around the Christmas tree and the Sussex Guild selling exhibition.
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Family-friendly things to do at Standen
Find out the family-friendly things to do on a day out at Standen, from taking a walk in the woodland and building a den to seasonal trails to follow in the house and garden.
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Visiting Standen House and Garden with your dog
Bring your dog for a walk at Standen and explore acres of woodland paths. Dogs are also welcome in the formal garden so you can explore more with your four-legged friend. Standen House and Garden is a two pawprint rated place.
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Group visits and tours at Standen
Standen is a great place to visit with a group. For a day to remember, enjoy a group discount, take a pre-booked tour to discover more, and stop off in the café and shop. To chat through your group visit please email standengroups@nationaltrust.org.uk or call 01342 323029.
PDF
PDF
Standen House and Garden map
Take a look at the map of Standen House and Garden to help you plan your visit.
Highlights
House
One of the finest examples of Arts and Crafts workmanship, with Morris & Co. interiors.
Gardens
Hillside garden for all seasons, with an award-winning plant collection and views across the Sussex countryside. Features an orchard, kitchen garden and rosery.
Countryside
Footpaths from the estate lead to High Weald woodland and Ashdown Forest.
Play area
Our natural play area has reopened and features a willow maze, wooden swing and balance beam for children to enjoy.
Barn Café
Converted 18th-century barn, serving seasonal lunches and homemade cakes, some made with produce from the kitchen garden.
Retail
Arts and Crafts and Morris & Co. inspired gifts, textiles and ceramics with a range of seasonal plants and pots to fill your garden.
Second-hand bookshop
Second-hand bookshop with a variety of books on offer, from fiction to fantasy.
Things to see and do
Article
Christmas at Standen
Arts and Crafts style rooms are dressed with softly lit Christmas trees and decorations inspired by the Beale family's wishes for Christmas. During 'Twilight Lates' weekends in December, see the house atmospherically lit for Christmas. From 18th November see the Standen Christmas tree in the Courtyard and for families, don't miss our fun festive event - a theatrical, sound experience with Spun Glass Theatre.
Article
Family-friendly things to do at Standen
Find out the family-friendly things to do on a day out at Standen, from taking a walk in the woodland and building a den to seasonal trails to follow in the house and garden.
Article
The house at Standen
Explore the family home of the Beales, designed by Philip Webb and furnished throughout by Morris & Co fabrics and wallpapers. An Arts and Crafts inspired comfortable country retreat.
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The garden at Standen
Stroll around the Arts and Crafts inspired hillside garden at Standen, explore themed outdoor rooms and find a rare collection of plants including ones grown by Margaret Beale.
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Explore the estate at Standen
Enjoy self-guided walks through 100 acres of West Sussex countryside on the Standen estate, including ancient woodlands, wildflower meadows and links to the Bluebell Steam Railway.
Eating and shopping
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Eating and shopping at Standen House and Garden
Treat yourself to a seasonal meal or snack from the Barn Café at Standen House and Garden and take a souvenir home from the shop, plant centre and second-hand bookshop.
Spotlight events
Meet Father Christmas on a 'Tale of Betwixtmass' experience
Sat 2 & Sun 3 Dec, Sat 9 & Sun 10 Dec, Sat 16 & Sun 17 Dec, then daily Mon 18 – Fri 23 Dec. Be greeted by our Christmas elf when you begin your festive adventure with us. Listen as she tells the tale of the magical world of Betwixtmass, then follow an immersive audio trail along pathways and among the trees, as you make your way to see Father Christmas in his cosy woodland home. Sing merry songs with Father Christmas and snuggle up as he tells you a story then gives a gift to all the children. Meet the cheeky snooflet puppets too and watch their puppetry performance. Children £15, including a gift (children must be accompanied by a ticket holding adult). Adults £12.50. You'll need to bring headphones and a smart device to access the trail.
Christmas Twilights at Standen
Listen to local choirs gathered around the fabulous Courtyard Christmas tree, designed this year by Banjo Beale and Amy Davies, winner and runner up of BBC's 'Interior Design Masters' show. Come inside the atmospherically lit Beale family home to discover an Arts & Crafts style Christmas. Sat 9 & Sun 10 Dec, Sat 16 & Sun 17 Dec, Fri 22 & Sat 23 Dec, 3pm - 6pm.
Christmas Wishes Family Trail
Get family and friends together for a festive fun trail with activities around the garden. Trail begins Sat 18 Nov until Mon 1 Jan, 10am–3.30pm. Free trail, normal admission.
Sussex Guild at Standen
Tues 5 Dec - Sat 23 Dec, 11am - 3.30pm. Look no further if you’re after that elusive present for a special someone. The Sussex Guild will be at Standen every day for some inspired Christmas shopping.
Article
Christmas at Standen
Arts and Crafts style rooms are dressed with softly lit Christmas trees and decorations inspired by the Beale family's wishes for Christmas. During 'Twilight Lates' weekends in December, see the house atmospherically lit for Christmas. From 18th November see the Standen Christmas tree in the Courtyard and for families, don't miss our fun festive event - a theatrical, sound experience with Spun Glass Theatre.
Top trails
Trail
Standen to Selsfield Common walk
An 8.5-mile walk for more experienced walkers, from Standen to Selsfield Common and back, that takes in woodland, heathland and open-country paths.
Trail
Walk from Standen to Kingscote Bluebell Railway
Walk to and from Kingscote Station and Bluebell Railway, where connecting steam trains can be taken to Sheffield Park or into the historic town of East Grinstead.
Trail
Standen Hollybush Wood walk
A short walk around Standen's Hollybush Wood, a haven for ancient woodland indicator plants.
Places to stay
The Morris Apartment
A one-bedroom apartment in trademark Arts and Crafts style, on the second floor of Standen House.
Upcoming events
Event
Standen's Courtyard Christmas Tree
From BBC's 'Interior Design Masters' show, winner Banjo Beale and runner-up Amy Davies, design this year's Christmas tree, using sustainable, reclaimed and natural decorations. (Closed 24 & 25 December).
Event
Sussex Guild at Standen
Meet the designers of well designed, beautifully handmade crafts produced in small workshops and studios in East and West Sussex and adjacent counties.
Event
Meet Father Christmas on our Tale of Betwixtmass experience
Be greeted by our Christmas elf when you begin your festive adventure with us. Listen as she tells the tale of the magical world of Betwixtmass, then follow an immersive audio trail to see Father Christmas in his cosy woodland home.
Event
Twilights at Standen
Listen to local choirs gathered around the fabulous Courtyard Christmas tree, designed this year by Banjo Beale and Amy Davies, winner and runner up of BBC's 'Interior Design Masters' show.
About Standen House and Garden
James and Margaret Beale chose an idyllic location with views across the Sussex countryside for their rural retreat. Designed by Philip Webb, the house is one of the finest examples of Arts and Crafts workmanship, with Morris & Co. interiors creating a warm and welcoming atmosphere. The house is dressed for a weekend stay in 1925, so you can imagine you are a guest of the family.
A major restoration of the 5-hectare (12-acre) hillside garden showcases year-round seasonal highlights and an award-winning plant collection. On the wider estate, footpaths lead out into the woodlands, Ashdown Forest and wider High Weald Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.
Note: Well behaved dogs on short leads are welcome in the formal gardens.
History
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The history of Standen House and Garden
Find out more about this modern home with historic influences and charming Arts and Crafts workmanship, designed and built for the Beale family at Standen in West Sussex.
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Who was Helen Beale?
Helen Beale was the youngest daughter of James and Margaret Beale. She was independent and headstrong, which led her to be involved in nursing, the WRNS and the First World War.
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A history of the Beale family
Discover the Beale family, who commissioned Standen to be designed and built by architect Philip Webb .
Art and collections
Standen was designed in 1891 by Philip Webb for Margaret and James Beale and their family, who lived there until 1972 when the house was given to the National Trust. For the first decade of our ownership, the collection was expanded by Helen and Arthur Grogan who lived in the house and opened it to the public. The collection reflects the creativity and taste of all these people, and features items designed by leading late 19th century artists and craftspeople.
Morris & Co wallpaper
There are several original Morris & Co wallpapers in the house. Philip Webb worked closely with William Morris and recommended the firm’s papers as suitable decoration. ‘Trellis’ was among the first wallpaper patterns to be produced by Morris & Co and was used in the downstairs corridors at Standen. The design reflects the trellis installed by Webb on the south terrace, uniting house and garden.
Portrait of Margaret Beale by William Nicholson
The decoration of Standen and the planting of the garden reflect the taste, creativity and energy of Margaret Beale. She embroidered some of the textiles herself, and is shown in this portrait busy with her crochet. By contrast, in the companion portrait painted to mark his retirement, her husband James is depicted with his hands folded in inactivity.
Larkspur Room Bedroom suite
The chest of drawers, dressing table, mirror, bedside table and clothes press in the Larkspur Room were designed by Ernest Gimson, one of the most influential designers of English Arts and Crafts furniture. The matching pieces are made from figured mahogany and have fine detailing, including chequered beading and silvered metal handles.
Standen's objects and collections
Explore all the objects and works of art we care for at Standen on the National Trust Collections website.
Our work
Project
Project
Our conservation work projects at Standen
Find out about the conservation work that goes into looking after Standen, including major projects, which have restored areas as they would have been when the Beales lived here.
Support us
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Volunteer at Standen
Volunteers are essential to the work we do at Standen. Varied roles include greeting visitors, working front of house in the café or keeping the garden looking its best. If you'd like to talk to us about volunteering, please call 01342 323029 or email us at standen@nationaltrust.org.uk