Attraction in

Built in the 1130s The Manor is one of the oldest continuously inhabited houses in Britain and much of the original house remains virtually intact in spite of various changes over nine hundred years.

The upstairs hall is a room full of atmosphere and the echoes of nearly nine centuries of family conversations. It was used during World War II by Lucy Boston to give gramophone record recitals twice a week to the RAF. The 1929 EMG gramophone is still in use in this room.

The house was recreated and made famous as the house of Green Knowe by Lucy Boston in her series of children's books, now regarded as classics. Her son Peter's illustrations depict many of the things in the house and garden. The attic contains toys used by the fictional children of the past; thus visitors get the feeling of 'walking into the books'.

In the winter, as well as writing, Lucy Boston made many exquisite patchworks, most of which are on display. Rarely can such an important collection be seen in the house in which the exhibits were made.The patchwork collection was?shortlisted for the 2024 Historic Houses Collections Award.'

This moated house is surrounded by four acres of garden renowned for its collection of old roses and a collection of irises containing many bred by Cedric Morris.

With its large herbaceous borders of mainly scented plants the garden gives the feeling of being a cottage garden full of favourite plants to more formal setting of lawns with topiary coronation shapes and chess pieces in their black and white planted squares.

Historic House, Gardens, Gift Shop