Welcome to St Mary’s House & Gardens. The house was built c1470, on 12th Century Knights Templar land. It started out as an historic pilgrim inn, and has had a remarkable royal and literary history. It is located near to the Castle in the downland village of Bramber, West Sussex. Visitors frequently comment on its picturesque charm, enjoying its tranquil atmosphere and friendly welcome. It also has a separate dedicated tearoom for light refreshments.

For over 40 years it has been the family home of Peter Thorogood and Roger Linton. Who saved the house in 1984, and set about extensive works to restore and enhance the estate. They were awarded MBE’s for their efforts by Queen Elizabeth II. Their mission and passion from the start has been to ensure St Mary’s can continue to remain open and accessible to the public.

Peter & Roger, at 97 & 85 respectively, are still working tirelessly to ensure future generations can continue to enjoy and learn about St Mary’s incredible history, with its important royal and literary connections. To do this they have brought together a dedicated group of friends and volunteers who share their passion. If you visit and meet them, please do take time to thank them for their valued contribution to helping keep the estate going, it would not be possible without them.

The main house includes fine panelled rooms include the unique Elizabethan trompe l’oeil Painted Room. A wonderful Victorian music room where they still hold concerts and events. There are intriguing literary connections with Oscar Wilde’s The Importance of Being Earnest, and the Sherlock Holmes story The Musgrave Ritual.

The five acres of beautiful gardens include an exceptional example of the prehistoric Ginkgo Biloba ‘living fossil’ tree, delightful animal topiary, and larger ‘Secret’ Gardens with their original Victorian fruit wall and pineapple pits. The gardens include a series of ‘garden rooms’: a beautiful Jubilee rose garden; a terracotta garden; King’s Garden; circular English Poetry Garden; and a Landscape Water Garden, with a lake and small island. There is also a Rural Museum, though this is currently closed.

PETER THOROGOOD’S LATEST BOOK ‘THOMAS HOOD: The Uncrowned Laureate‘ more info