Historic Houses
Enjoy a three night stay at The Star and private access to a selection of historic and well-known houses, guided by the team at The Star. East Sussex is an area of extraordinary cultural interest and we look forward to sharing it with you.
Start with a visit to Friston Place, the magnificent Jacobean private home of Olga Polizzi, for a tour of the stunning gardens followed by a glass of Rathfinny in the Great Hall.
Wednesday begins with a private tour of Firle Place, the seat of the Gage family for over 500 years. This Tudor house was remodelled in the eighteenth century and is home to a significant collection of Old Masters including portraits by Van Dyck, Reynolds and Gainsborough, as well as an impressive collection of porcelain and furniture. Our guide will explain the curated collection as we go around the house.
In the afternoon is a private tour of Michelham Priory, a historic 800 year old house and garden founded by Augustinian canons in 1229.
On Thursday, is a visit to Charleston, for a private tour of the former home of Duncan Grant and Vanessa Bell, where they entertained the Bloomsbury set in the 1930s and 40s. This house is decorated with beautiful murals and has a charming garden as well as a gallery and an excellent shop.
After lunch at the Eight Bells in Jevington, there is a private tour of Farleys House and Gallery, home of the surrealists Lee Miller and Roland Penrose, who lived at the house from 1949, and were visited there by key personalities of twentieth century art. There will be an introductory talk with Ami Bouhassane, Lee Miller’s grand-daughter.
On the final morning you will have the opportunity to explore Alfriston Clergy House, during a private tour, a building that is just across from The Star, and is the first property ever acquired by The National Trust. This Wealden house is over 600 years old and was built as residence for the parish priest of the neighbouring St. Andrew’s Church.
For those who wish for a thirty minute walk, there is the option to go to St Michael and All Angels Church at Berwick, which is renowned for its striking murals painted by Duncan Grant and Vanessa Bell.
Tuesday 29 April
15.00 Private Tour of Friston Place with Olga Polizzi
17.00 Departure from Friston Place to The Star
19.00 Dinner in The Dining Room
Wednesday 30 April
09.40 Bus to take guests from The Star to Firle Place
10.15 Private tour of Firle Place
12.30 Lunch at The Ram Inn, Firle
14.00 Bus to take guests from The Ram Inn to Michelham Priory
14.30 Private Tour of Michelham Priory
16.00 Depart Michelham Priory for The Star
19.00 Dinner in The Dining Room
Thursday 1 May
09.30 Bus to take guests from The Star to Charleston
10.00 Private tour of the house at Charleston followed by visit to the gardens, the exhibitions and the shop
12.00 Bus to take guests from Charleston to The Eight Bells
12.30 Lunch at The Eight Bells, Jevington
14.00 Bus to take guests from The Eight Bells to Farley’s Farmhouse
14.30 Private tour of Farleys House with Ami Bouhassane, Lee Miller’s grand-daughter, followed by visit to the garden and the exhibition
16.30 Bus to take guests from Farley’s Farmhouse to The Star
19.00 Dinner in The Dining Room
Friday 2 May
09.20 Guests to walk from The Star to The Clergy House
09.30 Private tour of The Clergy House in Alfriston
10.35 Approx – Guests to depart from The Clergy House
10.45 Optional circular walk across the fields to Berwick Church
Historic Houses
29 April-2 May
From £2280 for entrance to the Historic Houses, three nights accommodation, breakfast, lunch and dinner each day. Based on two guests sharing a Classic Juliet room.
