Rodmell Things to Do

Virginia's garden is now beautifully maintained in the typical English country cottage way. There are ponds and lawns and a vegetable garden, and uneven brick paths and statues hidden amongst the shrubbery. Peeping just above the mature trees is a church steeple. On a summer's day a stroll around this garden takes on a dreamlike quality.

In August 1940, having been bombed out of their London home, Leonard and Virginia Woolf bought their country home, Monk's House.

Afficionados of her work now come from all over the world to visit this property which is now owned by the National Trust and located at the end of a narrow lane in the tiny village of Rodmell, East Sussex. I have seen (and heard) Dutch, German and French visitors here in this out of the way village - I don't know how they find it but they must be determined to get here!

Leonard and Virginia lived here until Leonard died in 1969. (Virginia having tragically drowned herself during another bout of mental ill health, in the River Ouse in March 1941).

Monks House is now maintained by a tenant - hence the upstairs rooms being closed to visitors. The downstairs is interesting and gives a good insight to the way the Woolf's lived and the literary circle they were a major part of. The ceilings are low and the dark rooms have been kept as they would have been during the time Virginia lived here with her furniture and various artefacts including many books and paintings.

The gardens are beautifully maintained and it is also possible to see her tiny garden writing room where there are diary extracts and many photos.

Entry is 2.90GBP for the house and garden and it is open to visitors from 2pm.

Parking in the narrow lane can be difficult but there is a car park at the top of the lane by the Abergavenny Arms pub where you can get a nice meal and a cold drink before or after your visit.