Here’s a lovely day out near East Grinstead – Standen House and Garden
From the car park you can walk the trail through to Hollybush Wood, taking in views of Weir Wood reservoir if you want a good bit of exercise. This will take an hour or so if you do the trail and end up at the back of the house. You can take dogs on this walk too we stopped on the way for lunch on the rocks.
Dogs are also allowed on leads around the grounds.
For a shorter visit, you can walk straight up to the house, where you can go inside to see the lovely Christmas decorations, or try the children’s trail around the gardens outside by collecting a sheet to follow for clues! Toilets, cafe and shop on site.
In the woods above the house you’ll also find some interesting structures and trees to wander among.
Standen was built between 1891 – 94 as the country home of James Beale – a successful solicitor from Birmingham – and his wife and seven children. The family had relocated to Holland Park in London during the 1870s, so that James could manage the London office of the family firm, Beale & Co.
The building was designed by Phillip Webb and much of the interior shows the work of William Morris on the walls. A beautiful arts and crafts house.
To find out more, check out the National Trust website https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk