The Zhoosh! Brighton Blog
Charleston House
Charleston House is a small 18th century farm house just outside Lewes, most famous for its past tenants and the legacy they left behind. The run down farmhouse was discovered by Virginia Woolf in 1916, who in turn suggested to her sister, Vanessa Bell, that she should make the place her new home. At the time Virginia and her husband, Leonard lived in the nearby town of Asheham, later moving to Rodmell, making Monk House their home.
Vanessa, an accomplished artist, along with her two young children, fellow artist Duncan Grant (and sometimes lover) along with their friend, the writer David Garnett, (who also had an on off affair with Duncan Grant), began to transform the place. Taking their inspiration from the post modernist artist, they painted the doors walls and furniture, and filled the place with their paintings and ceramics; (Vanessa’s husband, Clive Bell joined his wife and their two children in 1939) bringing more art and antique furniture, filling the small farmhouse to the brim).
Charleston House soon became the meeting place for Vanessa’s creative family and friends including; Virginia and Leonard Woolf, Roger Fry, Lytton Strachey, John Maynard Keynes, T.S. Elliot, Desmond MacCarthy and E.M. Forster. These meetings of minds would eventually become known as the Bloomsbury Set, where the group would discuss radical subjects (for their time), including, sexualitys of all persuasions, (Charleston House would also become the meeting place for Virginia Woolf and her lover, Vita Sackville-West), feminism and pacifism. During the World War One, Garnett went to France and supported the War Victims’ Relief Mission, later returning to England were he and Grant becoming conscientious objectors of the war, moving to Wissett in the Suffolk countryside to become farm labourers.
In 1978, Duncan Grant,, died aged 93, (Angelica Bell Garnett b.1918, Vanessa Bell’s daughter, who went on to marry David Garnett, the former lover of her biological father Duncan Grant; remains as the the last living realtive from the Bloomsbury set. (Thank you ‘Dr Boodle’ for the correction of this piece.)
Soon after Duncan Grant’s death, the Charleston Trust was formed, bringing the farmhouse back to its former glory, leaving one room as Grant had left it, making a visit to the place all the more rewarding.
Since then, Charleston House has been proud of it queer leagcy. For the last four years Gay Heritage has put together LGBTQ events at Charleston House, encouraging the LGBTQ community to visit the house and grounds.
This year’s event is a showing of the film The Kids are Alright, hosted by Paul Burston. Prior to the film you are invited to partake in a glass of wine and some canapés, walk around the garden and explore Charleston House, before settling down in the Sussex barn to enjoy the film. Afterwards, Paul Burston will chair a discussion of the film.
The evening starts from 7pm – 9pm, £20, includes open house wine and canapés.
There are two other events that may be of interest to Zhoosh readers.
Life Drawing in Outer Studio.
Duncan Grant and Vanessa Bell were prolific life drawers. Join artist Silvia MacRae for a day of life drawing at Charleston, exploring a variety of poses, both long and short from the life model – considering movement, shape, form and structure. This session coincides with the current exhibition of life drawings by Duncan Grant in the Charleston Gallery.
Tuesday 12th April. (10am – 4am) £65. Including tea, coffee and biscuits. Bring a pack lunch.
In the footsteps of Virginia Woolf.
Walking from Virginia Woolf’s home, Monk House in Rodmell, over the South Downs to Charleston. This year the walk will be led by Anna Fewster whose research on Virginia Woolf has given her a unique insight to the world of Woolf. Penelope Fewster has led the Charleston walks for the past two years and continues to inspire us with her wonderful photographs of Charleston and the surrounding landscape. This is an exhilarating but strenuous walk – approximately 8 miles – and is suitable for experienced walkers only. Discover the landscape that will inspire so many writers and artist in your own steps.
Saturday 11thJune. (10am-4am) £45. Including Ploughman’s lunch, at the Ram inn, Firle and cream tea.
For a full list of events and details of how to get to Charleston house, including the shuttle bus (running from Brighton’s Old Steine and Lewes Train station) visit: www.charleston.org.uk
