Leith Hill Place
Leith Hill Place,
Leith Hill Lane,
Holmbury St Mary,
Surrey, RH5 6LY
An atmospheric house with an unusually informal presentation. It was the childhood home of composer Ralph Vaughan Williams, who gave the property…
An atmospheric house with an unusually informal presentation. It was the childhood home of composer Ralph Vaughan Williams, who gave the property to the National Trust in 1945. It was also a Wedgwood family home and Charles Darwin was a relation and frequent visitor. Previously tenanted as a boarding school for 40 years, it was opened by the National Trust for the first time in 2013 and is a work in progress. The house is a welcoming space where you can relax and enjoy the glorious views, unrivaled in the Surrey Hills. Volunteers provide cream teas and cakes by donation. There is a guided audio tour about the life and music of Vaughan Williams on the second floor. This is by timed ticket, bookable in advance for Sat 9 Sept. Vaughan Williams's composing piano is on display in the Study and will be played for visitors on Sat 9 Sept at selected times.There are trails for children in the house and the garden, a family activity room and two pianos for visitors to play. To coincide with our exhibition "Wedgwood at Home", a potter will be demonstrating the art of wheel-thrown pottery on Saturday 9 September.
Opening Times
- Saturday 8 September: 1100-1700; Audio tours 1200, 1300, 1400, 1500 & 1600
Booking Details
No booking required
Access Information
Parking is 400m across a field, so not suitable for pushchairs. There is room for one or two pushchairs in the hallway but space will be limited on this busy day. Disabled parking onsite is limited, though we will do our best to accommodate anyone who is not able to do the walk from the car park; drop off at the front door is possible. As this will be a very busy day we suggest you do not bring dogs, although on other days dogs are allowed. There is not a fully accessible toilet but there is a large toilet on the ground floor.
Additional information
Max 17 people per tour/session. Please note there are credit card facilities available - cash only on site.
Directions
Park at the National Trust Rhododendron Wood car park in Tanhurst Lane RH5 6LU.There is a 400m walk across a field, so bring boots or wellies if it is wet and a change of shoes for the house. Limited Disabled (blue badge) parking onsite RH5 6LY. We will also do our very best to accommodate others who may find the walk over the field difficult, and there is drop off available at the front door.
Directions from the A25 - turn off from the A25 towards Leith Hill (Hollow Lane). Follow until you see the A board 'Parking for Leith Hill Place' at Tanhurst Lane.
From Coldharbour take Abinger Rd, following signs to Leith Hill car parks. At the forked junction take the right fork, then immediately left into Tanhurst Lane.
From Ockley A29 take the B2126 Ockley Rd towards Forest Green. Before Ewhurst, take right turn Leith Hill Lane. Follow to Tanhurst Lane, turn left, then left into car park.
Opening times & full details ►
