Rye’s literary haven, Lamb House, opened its doors to visitors in March for the season. This year the house is presented with a focus on those who’ve stepped over the threshold throughout the centuries, from King George I to Henry James’s butler to the American writer, Edith Wharton.
The garden is flourishing once again following the pandemic, with a project to rejuvenate the rose garden also taking shape. This fresh scheme has been informed by Rumer Godden’s tenure, and hosts some of the plants mentioned by EF Benson in his Mapp and Lucia stories.
Vital conservation work has been carried out on the pet gravestones in the garden and also Arthur Benson’s chair – generously funded by the Rye & District and Tenterden & District National Trust associations.
The Lamb House team are looking forward to welcoming members of the Rye community this year, both as visitors and also at events planned for the coming months. A new monthly community book group is launching on Wednesday, July 6 from 11am – 12pm and a volunteer recruitment event, including a tour of the property followed by tea and coffee, takes place on Wednesday, July 20 from 12pm – 2pm.
Looking ahead to September, Lamb House will be hosting events for the Rye Arts Festival.
Danial Demaine, collections and house officer, said:
“We hope you’ll visit us at Lamb House this summer and join an illustrious list of previous visitors who have crossed its imposing threshold. Experience the walled garden and sit on a bench or the lawn and contemplate this Jamesian quote: ‘Summer afternoon – summer afternoon; to me those have always been the two most beautiful words in the English language’.”
Please pop in or contact lambhouse@nationaltrust.org.uk if you’re interested in finding out more about the book group or volunteer recruitment event, or if you have any ideas about how you or your community group could get involved with Lamb House.
Image Credits: National Trust Images / Maxine Clarke .