Charleston (Lewes UK)

Since I was little I've been a fan of the writer Virginia Woolf. Mrs. Dalloway was my first book that I read in English. During my school days in the UK I became fascinated by the bohemian lifestyle of The Bloomsbury Group, Virginia was a part of. It was a big dream of my to visit Charleston, the house of Virginia's sister, Vanessa (Nessa) Bell, her husband Clive and the artist Ducan Grant.

The Charleston Trust
Charleston Firle
Lewes East Sussex
BN8 6LL

Phone: +44 (0) 1323 81 16 26

You can't just go to Charleston alone. You must too visit Monk's House, the home of Leonard and Virginia Woolf. Take a walk along the Ouse where Virginia drowned herself and stay in The White Hart in Lewes.

Monk's House
Rodmell, Lewes, East Sussex
BN7 3HF

Phone: +44 (0) 1323 87 00 01

If you're up for it you should visit Brighton for some good shopping and food.

I can also recommend driving up to the historical town of Salisbury and to Stonehenge. It's only a 45 minutes drive from Lewes. If you're clever you become a National Trust member (you can also become one if you're not British) because you'll get free entrance and parking and, of course, because you'll support The National Trust.

(images: yvonne eijkenduijn)