Situated near the top of a cobbled side street, this famous smugglers' inn is steeped in history…
Our View
This red-brick fronted house has strong literary associations, as Henry James, E. F. Benson and Rumer Godden all lived here at different times. James was here from 1898 until his death in 1916, and it was later occupied by Benson, who used Lamb House as the model for ‘Mallards’ in his Mapp and Lucia novels. It was actually used as a location in the more recent TV adaptation of Benson’s novels. Rumer Godden, author of Black Narcissus lived here in the late 1960s. Some of Henry James' personal possessions can be seen. There is also a charming walled garden, which was designed by Alfred Parsons, a friend of James. The Campsis still climbs the wall as it did in his time, and there are roses, lilies, spring bulbs and many herbaceous varieties bordering the lawn which ensure continuous colour and interest throughout the year. Also in the garden are the graves of James’ much-loved dogs.
Facilities – at a glance
Assist dogs allowed
Dogs allowed
Refreshments
Suitable for all child ages
Features
- Suitable for children of all ages
- Parking nearby
- Cafe
- Facilities: Scented plants & herbs
- Opening Times: Open 15 Mar-29 Oct, Tue & Fri-Sat 11-5 (last admission 4.30)
Also in the area
About the area
Discover East Sussex
East Sussex, along with its western counterpart, is packed with interest. This is a land of stately homes and castles, miles of breezy chalk cliffs overlooking the English Channel, pretty rivers, picturesque villages and links to our glorious past. Mention Sussex to many people and images of the South Downs immediately spring to mind – ‘vast, smooth, shaven, serene,’ as the writer Virginia Woolf described them. She and her husband lived at Monk’s House in the village of Rodmell, near Lewes, and today, her modest home is managed by the National Trust and open to the public.
There are a great many historic landmarks within Sussex, but probably the most famous is the battlefield where William, Duke of Normandy defeated Harold and his Saxon army to become William the Conqueror of England. By visiting Battle, near Hastings, you can, with a little imagination, picture the bloody events that led to his defeat. East Sussex’s pretty towns such as Lewes, Rye and Uckfield have their charms, while the city of Brighton offers museums and fascinating landmarks, the best-known and grandest feature being the Royal Pavilion.
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