The Historic Houses & Heritage of Sussex

Day 1 – Polesden Lacey

Board our private executive coach at your preferred pick up points – stop at a convenient property en route such as the National Trust’s Polesden Lacey, home to famous Edwardian hostess Mrs Greville who entertained royalty and the celebrities of her time – continue to the 4* Hydro Hotel in Eastbourne.

Day 2 – Herstmonceux Castle & Gardens & Bateman’s

Our Blue Badge guide meets us at our hotel this morning and accompanies us throughout the day – set within 300 acres of carefully managed woodland with themed formal gardens, the 15th century moated Herstmonceux Castle and Gardens embodies the history of medieval England and the romance of Renaissance Europe – the National Trust’s Bateman’s property is a beautiful 17th century manor house that was the home of Rudyard Kipling from 1920 to 1936 with most of the rooms much as he left them.

Day 3 – Sheffield Park & Garden, Bluebell Railway & Standen House & Gardens

Sheffield Park features a Grade 1 listed garden laid out in the 18th century by ‘Capability’ Brown – continue to nearby Sheffield Park station for a one way excursion to East Grinstead on the picturesque Bluebell Railway heritage line – designed by Philip Webb, Standen House is one of the finest examples of Arts and Crafts workmanship, with Morris & Co interiors creating a warm and welcoming atmosphere while the hillside garden overlooking the Medway Valley and Weir Wood Reservoir is made up of delightful woodland and a succession of small very English gardens.

Day 4 – Brighton Pavilion, Charleston House & Anne of Cleves House

Built for the Prince Regent, later King George IV, in stages between 1787 and 1823, a guided tour of Brighton’s Royal Pavilion reveals the magnificent royal pleasure palace that was revered by fashionable Regency society and is still a distinctive Brighton landmark – a guided tour of Charleston House, the home of the artists Duncan Grant and Vanessa Bell (sister of Virginia Woolf), explores the country meeting place for the group of writers, artists and intellectuals known as the Bloomsbury Group – Anne of Cleves House formed part of her divorce settlement from Henry VIII in 1541 and it now displays period furnishings, everyday domestic objects and tells the story of Lewes from 15th century to modern times.

Day 5 – Chartwell

Stop at a convenient property en route home such as the National Trust’s Chartwell property, the family home of Sir Winston Churchill from 1924 until the end of his life with the rooms and gardens remaining much as they were when he lived there.