Gravetye Manor

Gravetye Manor is an Elizabethan country house near East Grinstead, in the parish of West Hoathly, West Sussex. Built in the late 16th century and surrounded by gardens shaped by the pioneering gardener William Robinson, it now operates as a luxury hotel and restaurant.

Who built it, and when?

The National Heritage List for England records the house as built in 1598 for Richard Infield, a local ironmaster. His family stayed until the end of the 1600s, and his son-in-law Henry Faulconer added the entrance porch. The manor is listed Grade I, the top category, which marks it as a building of exceptional national interest. Some sources give 1596 for the start of construction.

Why do garden lovers come here?

Robinson bought the estate in 1884 (the hotel says 1885). A champion of natural, informal planting and author of The Wild Garden, he restored the house, added a matching wing by architect Ernest George in 1885–87, and spent the years until his death in 1935 laying out formal and informal gardens, plus the woodland and lakes around them. Much of that layout survives. The gardens are registered Grade II*.

The estate declined after the Second World War and passed through several uses before becoming a hotel. Jeremy Hosking bought it in 2010, and the gardens have been in gradual restoration since.

Can you visit?

Gravetye is a working hotel, not a museum. Gardenvisit reports that the gardens are open to staying guests and to diners at the restaurant, while a perimeter footpath has been open to the public on set days (Tuesdays and Fridays were listed). Guided garden tours with lunch are offered for a fee. Arrangements change, so confirm with the hotel before travelling.

How do you get there?

The address is Vowels Lane, West Hoathly, RH19 4LJ. The postal town is sometimes given as East Grinstead, the nearest town, which has a railway station on the line from London. From there you need a car or taxi along narrow country lanes.

Frequently asked questions

When was Gravetye Manor built?

In 1598, according to the National Heritage List for England, though a few sources say 1596.

Who was William Robinson?

An Irish-born English gardener and writer who promoted naturalistic planting. He owned Gravetye from the 1880s until he died in 1935.

Can I walk in without a booking?

Usually not. The gardens mainly serve hotel and restaurant guests and are open to others only at limited times, so book a table or tour in advance.

Is there a restaurant?

Yes. Wikipedia lists it as holding one Michelin star in 2020. Reserve ahead.