Monk's House

Monk's House in Rodmell, near Lewes, is the 17th-century weatherboarded cottage that Leonard and Virginia Woolf bought in 1919 for the 'shape and fertility and wildness of the garden' and kept until Leonard's death in 1969. The rooms hold their favourite things, including works by Virginia's sister Vanessa Bell, and the garden Leonard made behind the house has perennial borders threaded with brick paths, an orchard, ponds and views to the Downs. The writing lodge is where Virginia wrote most of her major works. A 3.5-mile circular walk links the house with Southease station, about 1.5 miles away along the river, and dogs are allowed in the garden on a short lead. Reviewers praise the helpful volunteers and find the domestic-scale garden full of ideas to take home. Tips from visitors: pre-booked timed tickets are essential; the small car park 100 yards past the house has a height barrier; and there is no cafe, so bring a picnic.