The Priest House - East Grinstead

The Priest House: A Hidden Gem in the Heart of Sussex

Located in the picturesque village of West Hoathly, East Grinstead, RH19 4PP, The Priest House is a charming museum and tourist attraction that offers a unique glimpse into the social history and domestic life of the past. This beautifully preserved house, which dates back to the 16th century, is a must-visit destination for anyone interested in history, architecture, and the natural world.

Main Services

• Guided tours of the house and gardens
• Access to a vast collection of social history and domestic items from different periods
• Informal garden featuring a variety of herbs and plants
• Discounts for kids and family-friendly activities
• Wi-Fi and wheelchair accessibility
• Restaurant and café serving light meals and refreshments

Location and Access

The Priest House is situated in the heart of West Hoathly, a charming village in the Sussex Weald. The house is easily accessible by car, with ample parking available on site. Visitors can also reach the house by public transportation, with regular buses connecting East Grinstead to the village.

For those arriving by car, the house is located on the A22 road, approximately 2 miles south of East Grinstead town center. Parking is available in a designated car park, with easy access to the house and gardens.

Featured Characteristics

* Beautifully preserved 16th-century house with period furnishings and artifacts
* Informal garden featuring a variety of herbs and plants
* Vast collection of social history and domestic items from different periods
* Knowledgeable and friendly curator available for guided tours
* Family-friendly activities and discounts available
* Restaurant and café serving light meals and refreshments

Practical Information

* Opening hours: Tuesday to Sunday, 10am to 5pm (closed Mondays)
* Admission: Adults £8, Concessions £6, Children £4, Family ticket £20
* Group visits and corporate hire available upon request
* Contact us: Phone 1342810479, Email [[email protected]](mailto:[email protected]), Website sussexpast.co.uk

Reviews and Feedback

With 55 reviews on Google My Business, The Priest House has consistently received high praise from visitors. Here are some of the positive aspects mentioned:

* "Great little museum of all sorts of social history and domestic items, from different periods. Plus a beautiful informal garden with many herbs." (5/5 stars)
* "You probably won't want to spend more than an hour here but it's a really interesting house to visit. The Curator lives in part of the house and is extremely knowledgeable and helpful." (5/5 stars)
* "A wonderful day out for the family. The kids loved the garden and the adults enjoyed the history and architecture." (5/5 stars)
* "The Priest House is a hidden gem in Sussex. The curator's knowledge and passion for the house and its history are evident throughout the tour." (5/5 stars)

Overall, The Priest House is a must-visit destination for anyone interested in history, architecture, and the natural world. With its beautiful house, informal garden, and knowledgeable curator, this charming museum is sure to delight visitors of all ages.

👍 Reviews of The Priest House

Ruth R.

5/5

Great little museum of all sorts of social history and domestic items, from different periods. Plus a beautiful informal garden with many herbs.

Tim W.

5/5

You probably won't want to spend more than an hour here but it is a really interesting house to visit. The Curator lives in part of the house and is extremely knowledgeable and helpful. Fascinating history. Please note that you need to park about 200m away so may not be as accessible as you'd like if you have walking difficulties

JMcH

5/5

Visited here on spur of moment, had just come out of Wakehurst after seeing the garden and passed a small sign for this place. Well worth the visit. Curator is full of information and the small house is crammed with artifacts. I love seeing 17th & 18th century samplers and there's lots on the walls here. Not a big place and no on-site cafe but it has a particular charm. Parking is a short 5 mins or so walk away further on from the house in the playing fields car park (around the corner from the bowls club car park) and is free. If you have a well behaved dog, you can take it into the garden but not the house. Fair enough. The place is like a pomegranate full of pips. A little gem of a find. Recommended.

John C.

5/5

Very interesting museum with a huge range of domestic exhibits from history. Friendly curator with a knowledge on the history of the house as well as the exhibits on display. Well worth a visit

Graham B.

5/5

A hidden gem....no there's not a cafe, but there is parking round the corner. The custodian "lives in" and nothing is too much trouble. He and his family were bought up in the village, and it appears that there is nothing he doesn't know about the place and its exhibits. A place that really deserves more visitors than it gets.

Natasha C.

5/5

A real hidden gem of history. Small but worth a visit - the smell of the wood and the fabulous garden is so immersive. Amazing and Knowledgeable curator. A Glorious place!

Barry L.

5/5

Absolutely fantastic. Brimming with history which is supported by hundreds of relevant artifacts. Brilliant curator, brings the building and it's previous occupants to life. My wife particularly wanted to see the beautiful suffragette handkerchief. Stunning. Lovely garden, bought a couple of plants to remind us of our visit. Highly recommended.

simon B.

5/5

A truly wonderful place! A group of fifteen of us had a talk and tour given by Antony the Custodian of the Priest House. Antony is very knowledgeable, so friendly and helpful, it was such a pleasure to hear his talk. The house is very interesting, well kept and full of very well-displayed artefacts. The house and gardens are beautiful, highly recommended.