Place to visit

Rates

Adult £7.20 Children (3 - 15 years) £5.20 Seniors/Student £6.20 Family Ticket (2 adults and up to 3 Children) £25.00 Children under 3 Free.

Opening times

House opens at 12 noon from Easter to end of October

Telephone

01825 840573

Description

Bentley House dates back to early 18th century times and was built on land granted to James Gage by the Archbishop of Canterbury, with the permission of Henry VIII. The family of Lord Gage was linked with Bentley from that time until 1904. The estate was purchased by Gerald Askew in 1937 and during the 1960s he and his wife Mary, added two Palladian rooms to the original farmhouse. The architect was Raymond Erith, who had worked on 10 Downing Street. The drawing room contains mid 18th century Chinese wallpaper and gilt furniture. The Bird Room contains a collection of Wildfowl paintings by Philip Rickman. The gardens at Bentley have been created as a series of 'rooms' divided by Yew hedges, specialising in many old-fashioned roses including the Bourbons , The Gallicas and the Damask. Nearby 6 Sphinxes stand along a broad grass walk where daffodils bloom in spring.

Location

7 miles northeast of Lewes, signposted on A22, A26 & B2192.