Arts & Crafts Heaven in West Sussex

Ebonised rush chair, William Morris Bachelor's Button wallpaper

Last weekend I had time to myself, Kevin having defied my lifelong ban on all things Spanish by travelling to Mallorca for a cycling trip with friends. His argument was that this particular area has succeeded in 'nearly' banning bullfighting and therefore deserves to be rewarded by tourists continuing to visit the area. I'm not convinced. The day this wanton animal torture - sold as 'entertainment' to tourists - is abolished right across Spain, I will purchase a flight ticket.

Anyway, with nothing between me and the great open road (well, you would hesitate to describe the M25 thusly, but all the same...) on Saturday I decided to pootle over to well-to-do East Grinstead in the neighbouring county of West Sussex. The purpose was to revisit Standen, a National Trust property that I last saw in 2009.

 

This gorgeous property lies in heavily wooded and undulating terrain, and the last ten minutes of the journey had me getting that familiar feeling of excitement and good fortune - that I now live in such close proximity to such places. The villages of South Godstone and East Grinstead are idyllic with greens and ponds, pubs and cottages. The roads surrounding Standen are winding lanes embraced by hedgerows and great, towering trees.

The house itself was designed between 1891-1894 by architect Phillip Webb, a friend and contemporary of Arts and Crafts leading light William Morris, whose wallpapers, rugs and fabrics feature heavily in the design.

Tulips in full bloom on the conservatory side of the house

William Morris Trellis wallpaper

The conservatory

Cabinet with St George and the Dragon panel, painted by William Morris
(part of the De Morgan Collection);
Willow Bough wallpaper

Bedroom

As if that weren't enough, Standen is generously endowed with ornate touches such as the the fireplace fender in the dining room, and fine examples of Arts & Crafts silverware, glassware and pottery. 

The fireplace in the dining room - designed by the property's architect
Phillip Webb and featuring an ornate fender
(see this image courtesy Period Living for more detail)

Wine jug designed by Christopher Dresser in 1882

Brassware candelabra by W. A. S. Benson
Muffin dish by Charles Robert Ashbee
Hotplate and dishes by W. A. S. Benson

Hot water jug by W. A. S. Benson

But wait - there's more! 

If I wasn't already delirious with joy I would have positively burst with delight on discovering the numerous works by Pre Raphaelite artists such as Rossetti, Burne-Jones, Leighton, Madox Ford and Watts.

A Woman's Head by Pre Raphaelite artist Gabiel Dante Rosetti 

Della Robbia pottery

Portrait of a Boy by Henry Herbert La Thangue

I picked exactly the right time to visit in order to enjoy Spring in all its glory, but was wishing my friend Lesley Williams was with me to identify all the plants. The trees, particularly, are magnificent - magnolia, rhododendrons and fruit trees. As an added bonus, the tulips were in full bloom.

The barn, which houses the café

Fritillaries - spring's short-lived little chequered lanterns 

Hollybush Cottage at Standen

Being such a hilly area you can wander up stone steps past mature flowering trees and then marvel at the views across West Sussex.

The Kitchen Garden would be the envy of any gardener, with its centuries-old espaliered fruit trees, flourishing vegetables and a deluxe chicken coop. How lovely to see these girls being allowed to be chickens - able to dust-bathe, dig for grubs and socialise.

The Kitchen Garden includes a deluxe chicken coop 

There are several ancient espaliered apple trees in Standen's kitchen garden
- several are well over 100 years old

 One of Standen's two resident cats - this one was minding the second-hand bookstore
and was partial to a scratch

Proof positive that Spring is here - apple blossoms in the Kitchen Garden

My I'm-happy-to-be-in-this-beautiful-countryside face

A little treat to take home...

After several hours of revisiting Standen I treated myself to a pot of tea and a fruit scone in the café, and then reluctantly drove home. 

Is it really too much to ask to live somewhere like this? I don't need anything grand - just a tiny cottage would do. I'd spend my days gardening, walking, cooking, reading and cosseting rescued animals. I would make the world a better place.

 *sigh* 

Until next time,

- Maree  xo