Tuesday, October 6, 2015

England, Day Nine, Part Four





Thank you for continuing along with us today.  We have time to visit one more place today.  I'm excited to visit the home of Virginia and Leonard Woolf.  They were members of the famous Bloomsbury Group.  The Bloomsbury Group included artists, writers and intellectuals that gathered in the Bloomsbury, London area during the first half of the 20th century.  The Woolf's chose Monk's House in 1919 as their home.

Monk's House is located in Rodmell in a lovely community.  Driving down the street we come to the car park in a wisteria lined wall.






We need to walk up a set of stairs to enter Monk's House.  There is the lovely garden that lured Leonard and Virginia Woolf to this property.






Monk's House is a small home in comparison to others we have visited but charming in a Bohemian way.  The weather-boarded home's history can be traced to the 16th century.  It is definitely home to artists.




We step inside as our guide allows us to enter.  We must wait our turn as they take small groups in at a time.

“Lock up your libraries if you like; but there is no gate, no lock, no bolt that you can set upon the freedom of my mind.” 

― Virginia Woolf, A Room of One's Own





We are reminded that Virginia Woolf and her friends enjoyed this space as they shared ideas.  Virginia wrote in this room.  Her sister, Vanessa Bell visited her at Monk's House.  Most of the home is decorated with art work from her friends in the Bloomsbury Group.

"Anon, who wrote so many poems without signing them, was often a woman.” 

― Virginia Woolf, A Room of One's Own




Vanessa Bell painted the surround tiles of the fireplace for her sister in 1930.  The oval panel depicts a sailing ship with a lighthouse in the distance, recalling Woolf’s novel, ‘To the lighthouse’ (1927).






Virginia painted the interior walls herself in shades of blue, yellow, pomegranate, and in the oak-beamed sitting room, her favorite shade of green.  Here they received many visitors connected to the Bloomsbury Group, including T.S. Eliot, E.M. Forster, Roger Fry and Lytton Strachey.




“One cannot think well, love well, sleep well, if one has not dined well.” 

― Virginia Woolf, A Room of One's Own



Chairs by Vanessa Bell-Virginia's sister


Upper left plate by Vanessa Bell


Monk's House is quite small and only the bottom floor is open to the public.  The garden out back is next on our tour, so watch your step as we exit.




It is quite clear why Leonard and Virginia Woolf chose this spot for their home and garden.  Virginia died in 1941 and Leonard continued to live here up until his death in 1969.






Virginia Woolf was sadly known for her mood swings and deep depressions.  Sadly she committed suicide at the age of 59.  She had many things happen to her as she was growing up.  She was sexually abused at the age of six by her half brothers.  The loss of her parents at a young age sent her into deep depression that ended in a nervous breakdown.

She was happily married to Leonard and they both shared a love for each other for all of their lives.  It was bittersweet for me to visit her home.  I did come away hoping she has happy at Monk's House with her beloved Leonard.


16 comments:

  1. Hi Martha! Oh, another wonderful tour! This little house does seem to be comfy cozy and you'd shared somethings about the Woolfs I didn't know. Thank you for popping in to see me and your sweet comments.
    Be a sweetie,
    Shelia ;)

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    1. I learned so much about the Woolfs, Shelia. That is one of the great things about traveling don't you think? Have a lovely evening. ♥

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  2. Monk's House seems to have such a creative feeling, Martha Ellen! It's understandable that other creatives would gather there.The gardens look so lovely! Thank you for telling me more about the life of Virginia Woolf. She lived such a sad, difficult life. I love the quotes you chose! Another fascinating place! I don't ever want this trip to end. (I'm sure you felt the same way!) Sending hugs! ♡Dawn@Petals.Paper.SimpleThymes

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    1. Dawn, Monk's House garden was so charming. I'm sure Virginia enjoyed peace in that beautiful spot. She was a talented creative soul that had been dealt a lot of heartache so early in her life. I still have some great places to share. Thank you for not boring of my adventure to England. ♥

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  3. Another beautiful post. Love the room with the wing chairs in.
    Fondly Michelle

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    1. Hi Michelle, Monk's House had a peaceful serene feeling to it. I'm sure Virginia chose these soothing colors on purpose. Have a lovely day. ♥

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  4. So interesting, Martha. We were just speaking this morning about extremely gifted people and how some of them suffer from depression … etc. What beautiful rooms. I'd feel right at home here. The books are what make the rooms I think, they add such comfort. And I love the painted tile surrounds around the fireplace. Such things always make me think of Heidi and the tiles around their stove. I hope you are off to a good week!

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    1. Dotsie, that is so true about some gifted folks. Back in that day there was no such thing as getting help with depression. The bookcases and the books and the colors were so calming and peaceful at Monk's House.
      I hope all is dry down your way and that the sun is drying all the flooded areas. ♥

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  5. I can see why it was bittersweet. Some people are plagued by fear and depression all their lives. It was an interesting house to visit, wasn't it. Love that table and chairs - and of course, the gardens. There's way too much in England that draws me.

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    1. Judy, Virginia Woolf had a very difficult childhood. I can only imagine that led to her lifelong problems with depression.
      England has certainly taken a piece of my heart and it won't let go! ♥

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  6. I have only read one of Woolf's books...To The Lighthouse. She certainly was a mysterious, interesting, haunting figure. Such a sad life! Let's see, I must do the math. She was 59 when she died in 1941. Had she lived to 1969, she would have been 87? Was Leonard about that age? Off to google.

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    1. Vee, yes Virginia would have been 87 in 1969 had she lived. Leonard was a couple years old than her. I've read that To The Lighthouse is autobiographical about her childhood according to her sister Vanessa Bell.
      I hope your week is going well. ♥

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  7. A lovely tribute to Virginia Woolf's life. I'm always interested in the lives of writers even if I've not read any of their books! So this was great!

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  8. Martha Ellen,
    What a lovely place. The grounds are so green and lush. Nel would love this library......and this quote. I must pass it on to her. She has a study in her home, and she is such a book lover. The hutch is so pretty filled with all those unique dishes. Thank you for sharing a bit of the history of Virginia Woolf.

    ~Sheri

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    1. Sheri, I was just amazed at all the books we saw in the National Trust places we visited. In fact in some of them we were told that the books were the most valuble items! Thank you for coming along with me. ♥

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