Monks House launches out of hours tours

Monks House, the country retreat of Leonard and Virginia Woolf, is now taking bookings for out of hours group tours.

The 17th century country retreat is based in East Sussex and was bought by writer Virginia Woolf and her husband, the political activist, journalist and editor Leonard Woolf in 1919.

Today the house is open to the public and the ground floor, including the sitting room, dining room, kitchen and Virginia’s bedroom is on display, as well as her writing lodge at the bottom of the garden which offers views across Mount Caburn.

Parties of 16 or more can now arrange to tour the house at 11am, before it opens to the public, on selected days.

The tours will give groups an insight into the life of Virginia Woolf and the wider Bloomsbury Group of English writers with whom she spent her time.

Make a day of it

The cottage can be found in the village of Rodmell, which can be visited for a leisurely stroll.

Nearby is Lewes Castle, which is just one of two castles in England with two mottes. The 1,000 year old Norman Castle can be climbed and offers panoramic views across Sussex. Groups can also visit the adjoining Barbican House, which is home to the Museum of Sussex Archaeology.

Here, local collections from the Stone Age to Medieval times are housed, and there is also a mini-cinema that tells the story of Lewes from prehistoric to Victorian times.

Groups visiting Lewes Castle can also purchase a combined ticket for the nearby Anne of Cleves House, where they can explore how the Tudors and Elizabethans lived, worked and relaxed at home. The house has also played a part in the story of Henry VIII.

For more information visit www.nationaltrust.org.uk/monks-house.