06.09.2018, 08:30 A.M.
We have arranged for a very special visit two fascinating, yet contrasting, houses in Sussex.
Firle Place Firle Place near Lewes, the private home of Viscount Gage and his family. The house has amazing views, a fine collection of furniture and spectacular porcelain. We are honoured that Deborah Gage, Lord Gage’s art dealer cousin, has agreed to give us a unique tour, which will include coffee or tea on arrival and then a two-course lunch in the tearooms of the house.
Their descendants were Catholics until the 18th century and for nearly 150 years life was difficult for the recusant Gages. The Acts of Settlement of 1701 helped to bring an end to the religious persecutions, coupled with the decision of Sir William Gage, 7th Bart (1695-1744) to conform to the Church of England, brought a very different atmosphere to Firle Place. The family took part in public life and service again and were created Viscounts. The new prosperity in Britain encouraged the fashion for building Firle Place was remodelled with a Georgian façade, which included recycled Caen-stone blocks from the Tudor building.
Today, Firle Place is lived in by Henry Nicholas, 8th Viscount, and his family.
Farleys House and Gallery After lunch we will proceed to nearby Farleys House and Gallery. This was the home for many years of the Surrealists Lee Miller and her partner Roland Penrose. They were also great collectors of fellow artists such as Picasso, Man Ray, Max Ernest and Joan Miró.
Lee Miller and Roland Penrose moved to the Sussex countryside to live at Farleys in 1949. For the 35 years that followed, they filled their home with a collection of contemporary art treasures and were visited by some of the key personalities of 20th-century art. Today, Farleys is the base of the Lee Miller Archives and The Penrose Collection from which books, exhibitions and reproduction rights are privately managed by the family.
Details The luxury coach will leave from Embankment Station at 8.30am sharp and is expected to return to London at about 6.30pm, subject to traffic conditions. The cost per person is £79 members, £70 YIG members, and £85 non-members. The cost includes coach to and from London, entry to both residences, tea on arrival, and a two-course lunch.
Numbers for this day trip are limited so early booking is advisable.
For further information, please contact the event organiser:
John Barber, johnbarber@lmkendon.co.uk (079 5660 9777)
(Image of Firle Place via Visit Heritage)