East Grinstead

Standen was built in 1892-4 for a prosperous London solicitor, James Beale, and his large family. He chose Philip Webb as his architect, who was one of William Morris’ closest friends and colleagues. Standen takes its name from one of three farms which James Beale purchased in 1890 - Great Hollybush, Stone and Standen. Standen farmhouse was a small low-pitched cottage which stood to the south of the present house and was demolished in 1896. It was Great Hollybush farmhouse which Philip Webb incorporated into the new house.

Standen is a fine show-piece of the late 19th-century Arts & Crafts Movement, featuring rich William Morris textiles and wallpapers, complemented by contemporary furniture, ceramics and pictures of the time.

The recently re-furbished Conservatory has been replanted with mimosa, maidenhair and hare’s-foot ferns, bird of paradise plants and Norfolk Island pine together with other plants identified from Mrs Beale’s Diaries and photographs of the Conservatory from the early 1900s.

Standen boasts a beautiful hillside garden with wild flowers, azaleas, rhododendrons, roses, ferns, an orchard and croquet lawn. There are also woodland walks on the estate.

West Hoathly Road, East Grinstead, West Sussex RH19 4NE
Telephone: 01342 323029

Source: The National Trust