Pictures of Lamb House

a Historic Building in the town of Rye, in the county of East Sussex

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About Lamb House

Lamb House was built in 1723 for James Lamb, one of Rye's most influential residents. Lamb became mayor of Rye 13 times, only to have this illustrious record exceeded by his son who was mayor, twenty times.

Lamb House is an elegant brick Georgian building with a comfortable interior. In 1726, George I was returning from Hanover when a violent storm struck, the king was met at the quay by James Lamb who escorted him to Lamb House to rest. The king stayed for three days during which time Mrs. Lamb was delivered of a baby boy. The child was given the name George and the king became his godfather.

After almost 150 years of occupation, the family sold Lamb House in 1860. Some thirty years later Henry James, the American novelist visited Rye when he was immediately attracted to Lamb House, and he took up a lease on the property for two years. In 1899 he bought the house outright, and here he wrote some of his most memorable works including; The Wings of a Dove, The Golden Bowl and The Ambassadors.

Henry James lived in Lamb House for the final 18 years of his life. During this time he entertained his friends, amongst them were Rudyard Kipling, Edith Wharton and H.G.Wells, other noted visitors included; Ford Maddox Ford and Max Beerbohm.

After Henry James's death in 1916, the house became the home of A.C. and E.F. Benson, brothers and novelists. In 1950, Lamb House was gifted to the National Trust by Mrs. Henry James Jr, the wife of Henry James's nephew. It has remained little altered since Henry James lived there and visitors can experience the Victorian ambience of the house and see Henry James's library and the room in which he dictated his works to his secretary. Henry James was a keen gardener and he left behind him a carefully laid out garden with a pavilion, rose garden and flower beds. During the time the Benson brothers lived in the house they continued to care for the garden and add to it, the National Trust has further enhanced it with additional planting.

This is a lovely house to visit, it oozes with the decadent charm of the English country home. It is open to the public during the summer months.
Please see below for other recommended attractions and towns to visit near Lamb House.

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Distances and directions shown below are approximate. For true driving distances please visit the AA Route Planner

Recommended attractions near Lamb House

Rye Castle Museum	(1.1 miles, 1.8 km)	Pictures
Hastings Country Park	(7.8 miles, 12.5 km, direction SW)	Pictures
Bodiam Castle	(8.3 miles, 13.3 km, direction W)	Pictures
Romney, Hythe & Dymchurch Railway	(10.2 miles, 16.4 km, direction E)	Pictures
Battle Abbey	(11.6 miles, 18.7 km, direction W)	Pictures
Dungeness Lighthouse	(11.6 miles, 18.7 km, direction E)	Pictures
Sissinghurst Castle Garden	(12.0 miles, 19.3 km, direction NW)	Pictures
Darwell Reservoir	(12.2 miles, 19.6 km, direction W)	Pictures
Bateman's	(15.3 miles, 24.7 km, direction W)	Pictures
Scotney Castle	(16.3 miles, 26.3 km, direction NW)	Pictures

All attractions in East Sussex
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Recommended towns near Lamb House

Playden, in the county of East Sussex (0.3 miles, 0.5 km)
Playden is situated just north of Rye. It is most noted for its beautiful Norman Church dedicated to St. Michael which dates from around 1190.
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Rye, in the county of East Sussex (1.1 miles, 1.8 km)
Regarded by many as the prettiest town in England, Rye is a very popular place to visit along the south coast of England in...
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Winchelsea, a Historic Market Town in the county of East Sussex (2.9 miles, 4.7 km, direction S)
This is a pretty, busy little town tucked along a ridge overlooking Pett Level.
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Camber, in the county of East Sussex (3.7 miles, 5.9 km, direction SE)
Backed by the Walland Marsh, Camber has one of the finest stretches of pure sand and sand dunes found along the East Sussex coast.
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Appledore, in the county of Kent (5.3 miles, 8.6 km, direction NE)
This picturesque village with its wealth of attractive architectural properties sits quietly on the edge of Romney Marsh.
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Brookland, in the county of Kent (5.4 miles, 8.7 km, direction NE)
This is a pretty area full of natural wonders to be discovered on quiet walks or by taking a cycle ride along the paths of the many rivers.
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Smallhythe, in the county of Kent (5.5 miles, 8.9 km, direction N)
Between the 14th and the 16th-centuries this lovely Wealdon hamlet was a flourishing port and famous ship building centre where one of Henry VIII war-ships was built.
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Brede, in the county of East Sussex (5.8 miles, 9.3 km, direction SW)
The delightful village stands on the southern slopes of the Brede River. It is but a short distance from the town of Battle, famous for the Battle of Hastings.
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Rolvenden, in the county of Kent (7.3 miles, 11.7 km, direction NW)
Surrounded by a well-wooded landscape, this delightful village was first mentioned in the Doomsday Book, so we are assured of its long history.
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Tenterden, in the county of Kent (7.5 miles, 12.0 km, direction N)
The town is located on slightly rising ground looking out over the vast agricultural landscape of the Rother Levels, which sweep down to the Romney Marshes and finally, the sea.
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Nearby travel help

Rye Station	(0.7 miles, 1.1 km)
Winchelsea Station	(2.5 miles, 4.0 km, direction SW)
Lydd Airport	(9.6 miles, 15.5 km, direction E)
M20 Junction 10	(14.6 miles, 23.5 km, direction NE)
M20 Junction 9	(15.0 miles, 24.2 km, direction NE)
London Gatwick Airport	(41.4 miles, 66.6 km, direction W)
Lamb House to London	(52.8 miles, 84.9 km, direction NW)

Accommodation & Hotels near Lamb House

Hotel Name
Rye Lodge Hotel	(1.0 miles, 1.6 km)
The George In Rye	(1.0 miles, 1.6 km)
The Hope Anchor	(1.1 miles, 1.7 km)
New Inn	(2.8 miles, 4.5 km, direction S)
Olde Moat House	(8.0 miles, 12.8 km, direction NE)
The Brickwall Hotel	(8.5 miles, 13.6 km, direction W)
Sedlescombe Golf Hotel	(8.7 miles, 13.9 km, direction SW)
Little Silver Country Hotel	(8.9 miles, 14.3 km, direction N)
Best Western London Beach Country Hotel & Golf Club	(8.9 miles, 14.4 km, direction N)
Le Chateau Japonais	(9.8 miles, 15.8 km, direction SW)
All of our hotels are available to book online & with special discounts