Firle Place

About the museum

Firle Place stands in parkland at the foot of the South Downs in East Sussex and has been the home of the Gage family for more than five centuries. The original house was built in the late 15th century by Sir John Gage, a counsellor to Henry VIII, and its Tudor interior is arranged around a central courtyard. In the 18th century Sir William Gage had the outside remodelled in Caen stone in the Georgian style, giving the front the look of a French château.

The house is still lived in by the family and shows a large collection built up over generations. It includes Old Master paintings with portraits by Van Dyck, Reynolds and Gainsborough, English and European furniture and a notable group of Sèvres porcelain. It is also the only place in the country where part of the Cowper collection can be seen.

The house opens to visitors on set days in the summer season. On Sundays and Bank Holiday Mondays visitors move around freely with a timed ticket, while on weekdays the house can be seen only on a guided tour for small groups. A tea room with a terrace is open on the same days, and the estate also hosts weddings and events.

Highlights

• Old Master portraits by Van Dyck, Reynolds and Gainsborough
• English and European furniture
• Collection of Sèvres porcelain
• Part of the Cowper collection
• Tudor courtyard house with a Georgian front

Permanent exhibitions

• Old Master paintings – Portraits by Van Dyck, Reynolds and Gainsborough hang in the historic rooms of the house.
• Furniture and Sèvres porcelain – English and European furniture with a notable group of Sèvres porcelain, and part of the Cowper collection.

Operated by

Firle Estate

Admission & discounts

Prices as listed by the regional tourism portal Visit Heritage, since the estate website shows prices only in the booking system. Historic Houses members are admitted free. The tea room can be visited without a house ticket. Private group tours for 15 to 45 people run on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday mornings by prior booking.

Accessibility

• Partially wheelchair accessible
• Elevator: no information
• Accessible restroom: no information
• Accessible parking: no information
• Service dogs welcome
• Tactile models & exhibits: no information
• Sign language tours: no information
• Easy-to-read materials: no information
• Audio description: no information

Visitors with disabilities can see the ground floor of the house only, which is why a reduced ticket is offered. Guide dogs are permitted.

Kids & families

• Baby changing facilities

Children’s tickets are available and the tea room is open to families without a house ticket. A baby-changing facility is listed by the regional tourism portal.

Getting there & parking

Address for navigation: Firle Place, Firle, Lewes, BN8 6LP. The what3words location is remarked.placidly.quietly.

Amenities & dining

• Café
• Museum shop

The tea room and terrace serve homemade soup and sandwiches from 12:00, cakes, cream teas, ice cream and drinks.

Events & venue rental

• Spaces for rent
• Private parties
• Weddings / ceremonies

The estate promotes weddings and private hire, and the house is licensed for weddings and civil partnerships. Enquiries go to the events team.

Plan your visit