locations - Monk House

Built in 1428, this authentic historical building was originally a resting post for pilgrims, monks and friars, turned out of the abbeys and monasteries by Henry VIII. These religious pilgrims found sanctuary in the monk’s houses dotted throughout the south of England.

A similar monk’s house in Lewes later also provided sanctuary to Virginia Woolf and her Bloomsbury set. Our Monk House boasts a similar writer’s retreat tucked amongst the trees in the stunning 52-metre mature garden overlooking the renowned Shimming Valley. Monk House is fortunate to possess the longest private garden in Petworth. A further bonus is Petworth park with access across the road. Not only historians, but writers and nature lovers will find this house to be a treasure.

With original exposed beams, thick Stone walls, oak framed leaded windows, and wooden floors and panelling, a historian’s delight. Curious guests can still find a hidden passageway which is believed to connect the house to St Mary’s church some 50 yards away.

Staying in Monk House is a truly historical experience, and a homely one, as one can feel the rich happy history of this sanctuary.

The sleeping arrangements in Monk House are as follows:

Bedroom 1: The Master bedroom

1 king-sized bed with en-suite shower room and WC.

A large room with original oak floorboards, exposed beams and a view across the garden and Shimmings valley. The colours of the room are pinks and greens with a Colefax and Fowler English tulip design.

Bedroom 2: The Monk’s Room

1 double queen-sized bed and an en-suite bathroom with both bath, luxury shower, and WC.

A small but cosy room with original exposed oak beams and wooden panelling, dressed in Nina Campbell’s Amora in soft green and gold embroidered silk.

Bedroom 3: “In The Eves”

A large single bed and a further single, also provided as a window seat. This bedroom is not suitable for guests with limited mobility.

The bedroom “In the Eves” is found up a magical 15th-century stairway that leads into two double aspect rooms, occupying the whole of the third floor. On one side, from the large single bed, one can see the grand Georgian Petworth House next door.

From the other room, across a small landing, guests can relax on a window seat overlooking the beautiful Shimmings valley. The rooms are dressed in Manuel Canovas’ Multicolour balloons and bunting, giving it a fairground feel. A small but magical suite.

Monk House offers guests two stylish and modern ensuite bathrooms in the two principal bedrooms ,complete with powerful new shower enclosures and the designer bath customary in Rustic Escape properties, alongside a washroom and w.c in the bedroom ‘ in the eaves’ and a visitors’ w.c on the ground floor.

Facilities include:

-A lounge with a smart TV, WIFI, and comfortable seating, a kitchen diner, bedecked in beautiful eau de nil blues and greens with a coal-burning fire.

-A kitchen diner with an authentic Rayburn boiler, cooker and oven, a microwave, a toaster and coffee maker, a kettle and a beautiful dresser with an 18th century English porcelain display and lovely curtains depicting English flowers in fuchsia and red chintz.

-A media room decorated in Manuel Canovas’ Magical fish design, in pinks, oranges and greens, with a large canvass screen, projector and WIFI, an additional sofabed and the possibility for larger groups to dine.

-A downstairs toilet/shower room.

-A terrace off the kitchen with a patio table.

-A further patio table overlooks the Shimmings valley.

-A Summer house in the garden with a chaise sofa and tables and chairs for 8, and WIFI.