The Garth Pleasure Grounds

About

Situated on the west side of Lingfield, The Garth stands as a testament to the village's deep-rooted history. This venerable property began its story in 1729, when the parish commissioned Thomas Stanford, a local craftsman, to build a workhouse for the sum of £290.

The Garth was converted from a workhouse into six cottages in 1860, before being woven into the single fabric of a family home by Stanley Hazell in 1918. Hazell's vision led him to Walter Godfrey, an architect of the Arts and Crafts movement who is renowned for the restoration of prominent historical edifices such as Herstmonceux Castle, Sudeley Castle and the Temple Church in the City of London. Godfrey skilfully restored the Garth and infused it with the essence of his garden design principles, immortalized in his 1914 work "Gardens in The Making."

Hazell's own literary contribution, the 1933 "History of Lingfield," co-authored with Arthur Hayward, highlights the Garth’s property's red bricks, tiles, and oak beams. The narrative of The Garth's rebirth is chronicled through letters and plans between Hazell and Godfrey, preserved in the archives stored in Lewes, inviting visitors to the Tea Room Gallery to witness this historical dialogue alongside photographs, original sketches and parish work house inventories dating back to the 18th century.

The Garth's architectural heritage, from its initial use of burnt bricks to its intricately tiled upper floors, is documented for public discovery at local historical archives. These accounts reveal not only the property's structural past but also the austere existence of its former workhouse inhabitants.

Post-1834, The Garth's narrative intertwines with the broader social fabric, reflecting the impact of the Poor Law Amendments Act on family structures and the vocational education provided to the boys housed within its walls. The discovery of items relating to the making of the moleskin waistcoats in the gardens today echoes the trades once taught here.

The history of The Garth continues to unveil itself, from the beehives once mentioned in the attic to the multifaceted rooms of the Parish Workschool. As it stands today, The Garth is more than a residence and hosts a number of Charity Open Garden Days as well as private tours/events and birthdays through-out the year. www.thegarth.info