Standen
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The Victorian family home of Standen is a celebration of all aspects of the Arts and Crafts Movement. Designed by architect Philip Webb, known as the Father of Arts and Crafts architecture, the house is complemented by many touches from his friend and textile designer, William Morris.
Standen showcases the best of William Morris's textiles and wallpapers such as the tasteful "pomegranate" wallpaper in the Billiard Room. The carpets and tapestries are complemented by the contemporary furniture and art work. High standards of comfort and high quality, Webb's watchwords, are clearly in evidence.
Built in 1892 as a weekend home for James Beale, a London solicitor, Standen was one of Webb's final commissions, just as The National Trust
owned Red House was his first. Situated along a quiet Sussex lane, the house enjoys unchanged views over the High Weald and the Weirwood Reservoir nearby.
The interesting architectural design makes it appear as an original house with various add-ons in differing styles, although in fact the house was built like this. The weather-boarded upper storeys and the arcaded conservatory are delightful features.
Standen always had electricity and the original delicate glass shades are a designer's delight. As a reflection of the times, the house has just one bathroom and twelve bedrooms, showing the heavy reliance on washstands at that time.
Decorative touches include more Arts and Crafts examples such as the red lusterware, the metalwork by W.A.S. Benson and the richly decorated pottery by William de Morgan. With its mixture of styles and decorative effects, the house represents all the major players of that movement.
The hand-knotted blue and red carpet and the handmade furniture from Morris's own workshops were designed and made for the house. The sunflower on the Morris wallpaper is repeated on the light brackets and the swirls of foliage are repeated
on the copper of the fireplace.
Sheltered from the cool temperatures, Edwardian plants such as oleander and bougainvillea thrive in the lovely conservatory overlooking the gardens.
Standen is situated on a high slope and from there the 12-acre gardens descend in a series of steep terraces. Although several designers had a hand in laying out the gardens, the plantings were the choice of Margaret, James Beale's wife, according to her preserved garden diary.
Linked by a series of steps, the informal garden is a pleasure to explore with its wild flower banks, azaleas, roses and ferns. The bamboo garden is pleasant with its cascades and pond.
Note the quarry garden, now partly overgrown, which was the source of the stone for the house. There is also an orchard and a croquet lawn, no doubt once used by the family as they enjoyed the summer sunshine.
Nearby Standen Wood, also part of the National Trust, offers woodland walks in the wildlife sanctuary. Finish the day with a meal in the Barn Restaurant or pick up some gifts in the shop, inspired by the William Morris designs within the house.
Standen showcases the best of William Morris's textiles and wallpapers such as the tasteful "pomegranate" wallpaper in the Billiard Room. The carpets and tapestries are complemented by the contemporary furniture and art work. High standards of comfort and high quality, Webb's watchwords, are clearly in evidence.
Built in 1892 as a weekend home for James Beale, a London solicitor, Standen was one of Webb's final commissions, just as The National Trust
Click Photo for Slideshow
The interesting architectural design makes it appear as an original house with various add-ons in differing styles, although in fact the house was built like this. The weather-boarded upper storeys and the arcaded conservatory are delightful features.
Standen always had electricity and the original delicate glass shades are a designer's delight. As a reflection of the times, the house has just one bathroom and twelve bedrooms, showing the heavy reliance on washstands at that time.
Decorative touches include more Arts and Crafts examples such as the red lusterware, the metalwork by W.A.S. Benson and the richly decorated pottery by William de Morgan. With its mixture of styles and decorative effects, the house represents all the major players of that movement.
The hand-knotted blue and red carpet and the handmade furniture from Morris's own workshops were designed and made for the house. The sunflower on the Morris wallpaper is repeated on the light brackets and the swirls of foliage are repeated
Click Photo for Slideshow
Sheltered from the cool temperatures, Edwardian plants such as oleander and bougainvillea thrive in the lovely conservatory overlooking the gardens.
Standen is situated on a high slope and from there the 12-acre gardens descend in a series of steep terraces. Although several designers had a hand in laying out the gardens, the plantings were the choice of Margaret, James Beale's wife, according to her preserved garden diary.
Linked by a series of steps, the informal garden is a pleasure to explore with its wild flower banks, azaleas, roses and ferns. The bamboo garden is pleasant with its cascades and pond.
Note the quarry garden, now partly overgrown, which was the source of the stone for the house. There is also an orchard and a croquet lawn, no doubt once used by the family as they enjoyed the summer sunshine.
Nearby Standen Wood, also part of the National Trust, offers woodland walks in the wildlife sanctuary. Finish the day with a meal in the Barn Restaurant or pick up some gifts in the shop, inspired by the William Morris designs within the house.
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Directions |
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Bus Services:
Metrobus 84 East Grinstead -Crawley (passing Three Bridges ), alight at approach road just north of Saint Hill, ½ mile, or at Saint Hill, then ¾ mile by footpath. Cycling: NCN21, 1¼ miles View local cycle routes on the National Cycle Network website. By Road: 2 miles south of East Grinstead, signposted from town centre and B2110 (Turners Hill Road.) By Train: East Grinstead 2 miles; Kingscote (Bluebell Railway) 2 miles. Ordnance Survey Reference: 187:TQ389356 |
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Standen Postcode for SatNav: RH19 4NE
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Contact
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Days Out near Standen
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Saint Hill Manor (<1 Mile)*
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British Wildlife Centre (3 Miles)*
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Wakehurst Place (4 Miles)*
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Sheffield Park and Garden (7 Miles)*
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Borde Hill Garden (7 Miles)*
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The Old Mill (7 Miles)*
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Bluebell Railway (7 Miles)*
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High Beeches Gardens (8 Miles)*
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Nymans Gardens (8 Miles)*
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Places to Visit near Standen
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East Grinstead (2 Miles)*
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Ardingly (4 Miles)*
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Crawley (7 Miles)*
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Chiddingstone (8 Miles)*
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Ide Hill (11 Miles)*
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Westerham (12 Miles)*
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Reigate (12 Miles)*
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Royal Tunbridge Wells (12 Miles)*
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Biggin Hill (12 Miles)*
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Horsham (13 Miles)*
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