Farleys House & Gallery
Farleys House & Gallery
Farleys House & Gallery
4.5
Art Galleries • Points of Interest & Landmarks
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About
Sussex home of Surrealist photographer Lee Miller and artist Roland Penrose. Lee Miller and Roland Penrose came to live at Farleys House in 1949 and for the thirty five years that followed they built up a collection of contemporary art treasures, many of which were created by their friends and visitors including Pablo Picasso, Man Ray, Max Ernst, Leonora Carrington and Joan Miro. The work of these and numerous others are exhibited in the house alongside those of Penrose and Miller giving the visitor a fascinating look into the world of the Surrealists. Farleys is open to the public on Sundays & Thursdays between April and October each year. All visits to the house are by guided tour.
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2-3 hours
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Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
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4.5
78 reviews
Excellent
65
Very good
7
Average
1
Poor
3
Terrible
2
Bluebellplasnewydd
Cardiff, UK1,642 contributions
Jul 2021
This appears to be a family home that is open to the public, but not every day. It is a pleasant trip to reach it in the countryside and you have to book a tour of the house. However the grounds and exhibition are open as well, without booking, although there is an entrance fee. The gardens are typical of a 1930 - 50 country house with well tended flower and vegetable beds as well as a variety of sculptures. It is a pleasant place to spend some time and as gazebos are provided you could also take a picnic lunch. There is a small outlet selling drinks, crisps and biscuits but you will not get a meal here. A modern barn holds the exhibition of Lee Miller's photographs of fashion during the war. They are high quality and interesting in context although if you are not keen on ladies fashion you may find them repetitive. There is also a landcover there that was driven to Australia in the 1970's by one of the family. A second exhibition of paintings and other artefacts is at the entrance. It appears that this house is owned by the family of the photographers Sir Roland Penrose and Lee Miller and I think that some of the knowledgeable guides are their descendants. Note that I did not go on the house tour as it was full. Overall this is a quaint place to visit and very peaceful but you will need to want to enjoy more than just the photographs.
Written July 21, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Julie W
London, UK21 contributions
May 2022
The inside of the house tells the domestic story of Lee Miller and Roland Penrose, but it is a work of art in its own right. Everywhere you turn, amazing pieces, decorations and artefacts help you imagine the happy socialising that happened here. The garden embraces the house and the staff are so interested and informative. If you take a picnic, save room for the cake available.
Written May 21, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
gosister2018
London, UK16 contributions
Jul 2021
Extraordinary. We took a small party tour and Anthony Penrose, took us around his old home and that of his late parents, Photographer, Lee Miller and Surrealist Artist, Roland Penrose. To list all their many other talents would more than take over this review! The couple led colourful lives and mix in, the second world war, Picasso and their eminent, arty contemporaries, writers and poets and you have a heady cocktail. Anthony and Ami, his daughter are riveting story tellers and brought to life, Lee and Rolands' extensive travels and a real feel of the times, with passion and wit. The farmhouse is packed with painting sculptures, photos, books and mementoes. Lees' original kitchen still contains all her old cooking paraphernalia and original packages of cooking ingredients. At the moment, there is an exhibition of Lees' Vogue Fashion photographs. This place is a must and you will need to book ahead to get a place on the tour. Please don't let that put you off, you won't be disappointed. A lovely sculpture garden too. Quite wonderful in every way.
Written July 23, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Victoria Y
London, UK3 contributions
Jul 2021 • Couples
We went to the gallery and fell in love with one of the photos. However, they didn’t have the matted print in stock so we paid the price (£60) there so they can get it printed and matted. Two weeks later, we received a photo which is not matted with a bent corner due to poor packaging. We we’re really surprised how an expensive photo was packaged so poorly.
We reached out and asked them to send the matted photo as that’s what we paid for. They got back and told us that:
“Unmatted prints are £45.75, whilst the matted prints in our shop are £60.00 - the extra costs you pay by ordering online are VAT and postage and packaging. “
On what planet does VAT, postage and packaging costs £15?? When we ordered it in store, also no one explained to us that by paying £60 (which is the exact same cost as the matted photos in store) that we would only be receiving a damaged and flimsy photo in poor packaging.
We then called the gallery and the person who picked up the phone was also extremely rude and sounded like she’s too good to talk to us about their mistakes.
They were very unhelpful both in emails and on the phone about their own mistakes. They kept pushing the responsibilities away and basically meant that we were lying about everything. Seems like they’re just there for the money rather than providing a good experience for visitors and customers, which for the price we paid we thought we would get.
We felt very disrespected and disappointed.
We reached out and asked them to send the matted photo as that’s what we paid for. They got back and told us that:
“Unmatted prints are £45.75, whilst the matted prints in our shop are £60.00 - the extra costs you pay by ordering online are VAT and postage and packaging. “
On what planet does VAT, postage and packaging costs £15?? When we ordered it in store, also no one explained to us that by paying £60 (which is the exact same cost as the matted photos in store) that we would only be receiving a damaged and flimsy photo in poor packaging.
We then called the gallery and the person who picked up the phone was also extremely rude and sounded like she’s too good to talk to us about their mistakes.
They were very unhelpful both in emails and on the phone about their own mistakes. They kept pushing the responsibilities away and basically meant that we were lying about everything. Seems like they’re just there for the money rather than providing a good experience for visitors and customers, which for the price we paid we thought we would get.
We felt very disrespected and disappointed.
Written August 17, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Gilliank K
Dublin, Ireland7 contributions
Aug 2021
I had the absolute pleasure of doing an archive tour with Amy and Antony, Lee Miller's son and grandaughter. We did a tour of the house and the archive, and they talked us through the history of Lee's work and the house. It is such a beautiful house, with so much amazing art by Picasso, penrose, Ernst to name a few.
Amy and Antony are so passionate and knowledgeable and I felt very lucky to spend time with them learning about the amazing work of Lee Miller.
I highly recommend a visit!!
Amy and Antony are so passionate and knowledgeable and I felt very lucky to spend time with them learning about the amazing work of Lee Miller.
I highly recommend a visit!!
Written August 13, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Brian R
80 contributions
Oct 2021 • Couples
A fascinating and massively interesting guided tour of the house is a must which gives a thorough insight into the lives and work of both Anthony Penrose and Lee Miller as well as other artists. The explanations of connections these two had with other notable artists and photographers all adds up to a very informative hour.
The changing exhibitions are also worth looking out for and a few hours spent sitting the the garden is a delight.
The changing exhibitions are also worth looking out for and a few hours spent sitting the the garden is a delight.
Written October 21, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Kevin S
Ampthill, UK36 contributions
May 2022
A very interesting tour of the ground floor of Roland Penrose and Lee Miller's country house, with works of theirs and their guests (including Picasso) on show, and an insight into their lives. The tour lasts about 50 minutes and you must book.
There is an exhibition of Lee Miller's postwar photographs, taken around the property and the local area, in a nearby barn. They are not as interesting as her earlier work, but still worth a look. Another barn has a small cafe, a shop, and a guest exhibition. There are also grounds to enjoy - but not our visit, as it was raining!
There is an exhibition of Lee Miller's postwar photographs, taken around the property and the local area, in a nearby barn. They are not as interesting as her earlier work, but still worth a look. Another barn has a small cafe, a shop, and a guest exhibition. There are also grounds to enjoy - but not our visit, as it was raining!
Written May 16, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
S K
London29 contributions
Jun 2022
We had a terrible experience. On the Thursday, the website was not showing tickets for the coming Sunday, only tickets for the following week. We phoned on the Friday before the Sunday on which we wanted to visit and, while the property was not open, the kind person who answered the phone said Sunday was not sold out and that "they never turn people away".
So we drove all the way over and were turned away, unless we wanted to sit around for two hours until a later tour, as there could only be 7 people per session. That limitation (or selling point depending on your point of view) should be made clear on the website.
I showed them a screenshot of the ticket drop down only listing the upcoming week and nothing for the Sunday. We were a party of two.
The staff were indifferent, possibly not empowered to "colour outside the lines" and they are further hampered by inferior website technology. As we were leaving, someone passing by said the place was overrated so not to feel too sad.
So we drove all the way over and were turned away, unless we wanted to sit around for two hours until a later tour, as there could only be 7 people per session. That limitation (or selling point depending on your point of view) should be made clear on the website.
I showed them a screenshot of the ticket drop down only listing the upcoming week and nothing for the Sunday. We were a party of two.
The staff were indifferent, possibly not empowered to "colour outside the lines" and they are further hampered by inferior website technology. As we were leaving, someone passing by said the place was overrated so not to feel too sad.
Written June 13, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
We are sorry to hear that you experienced difficulty booking tickets online for your planned visit and, whilst we acknowledge website glitches do occur, they are thankfully rare.
It is certainly unfortunate that when arriving on site on the afternoon of Sunday, you were not in a position to accept our offer of exploring the galleries and gardens, before a 2.30pm house tour.
Everyone at Farleys works hard to provide visitors with a warm welcome and we take great pride in delivering an enjoyable and inspirational visit.
Written June 14, 2022
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Adam S
Oxford, UK158 contributions
Sep 2020
I have been wanting to visit Farleys for some years and we finally had the opportunity to do so yesterday as we were in the area.
We were not disappointed! From the wonderful welcome, the great recommendations on how to spend our time there to best advantage and the tour of such an extra-ordinary house, this was a day to remember.
The tour was brilliant, and of huge interest to anyone who likes Surrealism and / or 20th century art and photography. There is so much to absorb in each room that you don't know where to look!
Finally, I can't finish without mentioning the legendary gluten-free lemon drizzle cake which we ate in the gardens with a cup of tea. What a wonderful way to spend half a day!
We were not disappointed! From the wonderful welcome, the great recommendations on how to spend our time there to best advantage and the tour of such an extra-ordinary house, this was a day to remember.
The tour was brilliant, and of huge interest to anyone who likes Surrealism and / or 20th century art and photography. There is so much to absorb in each room that you don't know where to look!
Finally, I can't finish without mentioning the legendary gluten-free lemon drizzle cake which we ate in the gardens with a cup of tea. What a wonderful way to spend half a day!
Written September 11, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Stay787533
16 contributions
Aug 2020 • Solo
Home to Lee Miller and Roland Penrose, when the house is open it's fascinating to find works by the surrealists dotted about. At present, exhibitions of Lee Miller's photos are great to see. She was an amazing person! Interesting sculpture in the garden too. And you always receive a warm welcome, quite possibly from Anthony Penrose or his daughter Ami. The re-discovery of Lee Miller's work, and indeed her life, is itself remarkble.
Written August 4, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
heathermarie9
Hastings, UK18 contributions
Is it possible to book a place on the Sunday tour in advance?
Molly
Brighton and Hove, UK4 contributions
New for this season some tour tickets available to book via the website
Jackie e
Wellington, New Zealand20 contributions
Closest train station
Amy A
Stroud, UK144 contributions
No station very close, Jackie - I would recommend going to Lewes - good through trains from London Victoria, and it's a delightful small town in itself, lots to see (castle, Tudor houses, nice small shops, etc), well worth a visit. There are buses from there but still a 30-min walk from nearest bus stop to Farley Farmhouse. Taxi would cost about £25. They go from the station but Farley Farmhouse website recommends booking taxi in advance and gives phone numbers it recommends. Farley is DEFINITELY worth a visit - unique, fascinating, beautifully presented and staff very knowledgeable. Worth emailing well in advance to check opening dates, times and availability of tickets; it's quite small, full of precious things and only admits a few people at a time. I hope you get there and enjoy it as much as I did! Good luck, Amy
Farleys House & Gallery (Chiddingly) - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go
Frequently Asked Questions about Farleys House & Gallery
- Farleys House & Gallery is open:
- Sun - Sun 10:00 AM - 4:30 PM
- Thu - Thu 10:00 AM - 4:30 PM
- Hotels near Farleys House & Gallery:
- (0.14 mi) Netherwood Lodge
- (0.72 mi) Hale Farm Campsite
- (2.34 mi) Fontmills Farm Campsite
- (0.47 mi) Gate Cottage at Pekes Manor is a dear country cottage with lovely views
- (0.59 mi) Pekes Manor House
- Restaurants near Farleys House & Gallery:
- (0.55 mi) The Six Bells
- (2.24 mi) The Village Shop & Cafe
- (1.35 mi) The Gun
- (3.67 mi) The Royal Indian
- (5.36 mi) Pilio Cafe Bistro