St Mary's House & Gardens

ST MARY’S TEAROOM – staying open (see below)

STOP PRESS: We are holding a Halloween Pumpkin Trail for Families and Children.

Friday 31st October from 12noon – 4pm St Marys Tearoom

Tickets just £8 for Adults and FREE for children! Entry and tickets can be purchased from St Mary’s Tearoom – down the short lane from ‘The Street’ in Bramber (between St Mary’s House & the Castle Inn Hotel).

ST MARY’S TEAROOM – Staying OPEN

11am to 4pm

Wednesday to Sunday

Main House now closed for the Season (May to Sept).

Apart from Special Events, Concerts & Private Bookings see Events section of website

If you would like to book St Mary’s House or any part of the estate for a special event please email:

info@stmarysbramber.co.uk

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A WARM WELCOME to Peter Thorogood and Roger Linton’s: St Mary’s House & Gardens. Their remarkable home for over 40 years. In 1984 they took an empty derelict house and gardens and, with very limited means, transformed it into the magnificent estate it is today.

The house was built c1470, on 12th Century Knights Templar land. It started out as an historic pilgrim inn, and has had a remarkable royal and literary history. It is located near to the Castle in the downland village of Bramber, West Sussex. Visitors frequently comment on its picturesque charm, enjoying its tranquil atmosphere and friendly welcome. It also has a dedicated St Mary’s Tearoom that is open even when the House & Gardens are not. (St Mary’s Tearoom: Wednesday to Sunday, 10.30am to 5.30pm).

When Peter and Roger purchased the house in 1984, and they immediately set about extensive works to restore and enhance the estate. They were subsequently awarded MBE’s by Queen Elizabeth II for their efforts. Their mission and passion from the start has been to ensure St Mary’s is not just restored and maintained, but can be ‘Saved for the Nation’, so it can continue to remain open and accessible to the public.

Peter in August this year died, aged 98, leaving his life partner Roger, aged 85, to continue their mission, working tirelessly to ensure future generations can continue to enjoy and learn about St Mary’s incredible history, with its important royal and literary connections. To do this they have brought together – and inspired – a dedicated group of friends and volunteers who share their passion. If you visit and meet them, please do take time to thank them for their valued contribution to helping keep the estate going, it would not be possible without them. New volunteers are always welcome! (see other parts of the website).

The main house includes fine panelled rooms, including: A unique Elizabethan trompe l’oeil Painted Room; a wonderful Victorian music room where they still hold concerts and events; and much more. Discover the intriguing literary connection with Oscar Wilde’s The Importance of Being Earnest, and also the site where BBC Dr Who’s Tardis landed inside the house!

The five acres of beautiful gardens include an exceptional example of the prehistoric Ginkgo Biloba ‘living fossil’ tree, delightful animal topiary, and larger ‘Secret’ Gardens with their original Victorian fruit wall and pineapple pits. There are a series of ‘garden rooms’: a beautiful Jubilee rose garden; a terracotta garden; King’s Garden; circular English Poetry Garden; and a Landscape Water Garden, with a lake and small island. There is also a Rural Museum, though this is currently closed in need of restoration.