St Marys House and Garden

St Mary’s House, Bramber what a place to visit.  You will never see anything quite like it.  Where to start, as there is so much history to see in this very unique Medieval timber-framed house that many, many, decades ago had the sea lapping near the front garden.  The front garden was a picture of roses in a cottage-style garden, just along the High Street of Bramber.  There were also 5 acres of the Secret Garden across a narrow road which we saw later on after a full, guided tour of the house.  Basically, it’s a restored pilgrims’ inn dating from 1740 when the Monks of Sele owned it and welcomed pilgrims.  It also has Knights’ Templar history re the Crusades (when the 5 acres were left to them).  It has had many owners until the current ownership took over in 1984 when in in a very bad state of disrepair.  There are ebony beams in evidence and Trompe l’oeil panels on show, plus an unique long leather painted panel done in situ, which was never done that way.  Shamefully when requisitioned during the 2nd world war, the Canadian army took pot-shots at it from the staircase!  Evident when looked at closely.   Also, there is an Elizabethan painted room.  So much to see and read; the lady guide was very thorough though .  The Secret Garden had several sections and some very old trees in it and a very rare Wollomi pine sapling that is native to Australia and also a pond.  A tea room served hot and cold drinks and homemade cakes, which were very tasty