Priest House West Hoathly

Priest House West Hoathly A beautiful 15th Century museum in a cottage garden. Proud home to the Suffragettes' Handkerchief.

As seen on Channel 4's 'Hidden Villages' and BBC2′s ‘Antiques Road Trip’. The only house of its kind open to the public, this beautiful 15th century Wealden hall house stands in a traditional cottage garden on the edge of the Ashdown Forest in picturesque West Hoathly. The house was owned in turn by Henry VIII, Thomas Cromwell, Anne of Cleves, Mary I and Elizabeth I. It is now furnished with 17th

& 18th century country furniture and domestic objects while the garden is planted with over 170 culinary, medicinal & household herbs. The resident curator gives fascinating tours of the house and garden if requested and you are welcome to bring a picnic to eat in the cottage garden.

😍 Drive carefully out there today - you never know who’s round the next corner. This little waddling were taking a strol...
02/06/2026

😍 Drive carefully out there today - you never know who’s round the next corner. This little waddling were taking a stroll on Cob Lane earlier today. 😍 And isn’t a “waddling “ just the best collective noun in the English language?

02/06/2026

FOlds exhibition Capturing Old Shoreham is in our upstairs Gallery until 25th July on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays 11-3.

Sunshine and showers? We’ll take the 🌞 sunshine!
02/06/2026

Sunshine and showers? We’ll take the 🌞 sunshine!

😍 Beautifully scented and gorgeous to look at, the roses are just glorious at the moment.😍
31/05/2026

😍 Beautifully scented and gorgeous to look at, the roses are just glorious at the moment.😍

Sussex martlets under a cascade of roses around the house’s old front door in the run up to
30/05/2026

Sussex martlets under a cascade of roses around the house’s old front door in the run up to

A perfect Friday evening for the Museum Friends’ AGM in the garden. 🥂
29/05/2026

A perfect Friday evening for the Museum Friends’ AGM in the garden. 🥂

Time for a cuppa!
29/05/2026

Time for a cuppa!

Friday at last! The Priest House front door has a hidden purpose sitting in plain sight. As well as welcoming our visito...
29/05/2026

Friday at last! The Priest House front door has a hidden purpose sitting in plain sight. As well as welcoming our visitors in it has several apotropaic (“turn away evil") marks to keep evil spirits out. Can you spot any here? Make sure you ask Curator Antony about them when you visit - there’s a surprising number of them around the house.

Got to stay hydrated now and then… these leather and wooden costrels are the equivalent of our water bottles and coffee ...
28/05/2026

Got to stay hydrated now and then… these leather and wooden costrels are the equivalent of our water bottles and coffee mugs today. Thirsty farm workers took their drink, mainly beer or cider, to the fields in leather costrels from the 16th Century until they were gradually replaced by wooden barrels by the 19th Century. Our coffee mugs today are easier to clean and hopefully don’t add quite so much flavour to the drink!

Good morning! It’s another glorious May day here in West Hoathly. 🌞
28/05/2026

Good morning! It’s another glorious May day here in West Hoathly. 🌞

Address

Priest House, North Lane
West Hoathley
RH194PP

Telephone

01342 810 479

Website

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