Monk’s House was the home of the novelist Virginia Woolf and her husband, Leonard.
Virginia Woolf is perhaps the chief reason why most people outside the area have heard of Rodmell. The Woolfs bought the house in 1919 as a country retreat from London, and for over two decades the Sussex countryside inspired Virginia Woolf’s writing. Leonard Woolf continued to live here in Rodmell until he died in 1969.
There are wonderful views of the South Downs, rooms full of Bloomsbury art and colourful gardens; Virginia Woolf used the tranquillity of Monk’s House to write the majority of her famous works, redesigning the modern novel.
Full details of all our events are listed on the website:
www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/sussex/monks-house
Monk’s House is now owned by National Trust, and a member of staff lives at the property.
In 2024 the house and beautiful gardens will be open to the public in the summer months, April to October, from Thursday to Saturday, 12.30 to 4.00pm for the house, and 5.00pm for the garden. Times do vary at the beginning and end of the season; pre-booking is essential and should be done via our website.
The Reception area has a small shop, which is a second-hand bookstore in the spirit of Virginia and Leonard’s wide love of learning and literature. There are also guidebooks and postcard prints of the property.
READINGS IN THE GARDEN
Listen to an extract from Virginia Woolf’s works in her own garden, throughout the season.
Normal admission applies
You can also visit nearby Charleston Farmhouse.
Charleston was the home of Virginia Woolf’s sister, Vanessa Bell, and was the country meeting place for the writers, painters and intellectuals known as the Bloomsbury Group. The interior was painted by the artists Duncan Grant and Vanessa Bell and together with their collection forms a unique example of their decorative style.
There is a Charleston Festival which runs annually during May.
Charleston is sign-posted off the A27 Brighton to Eastbourne road, 7 miles east of Lewes, between the villages of Firle and Selmeston. It is not easy to reach by public transport, but there is free parking.
