St Mary’s House Bramber

Reason for inclusion: Candidate for Hurlstone, Reginald Musgrave’s residence

Accessibility: Privately owned but sometimes open to the public. Look at website for opening times.

Description: Beautiful medieval manor and gardens.

Comment

The house has large cellars and a ‘King’s Room’ where Charles 2^nd may have stayed during his flight from the Battle of Worcester in 1651 on his way to Brighton to seek a ship for France. The house was at one stage owned by Alfred Musgrave, but he only purchased it after the publication of Conan Doyle’s story. Favoured candidate of Catherine Cooke, Chair of the Sherlock Holmes Society of London for Hurlstone. It is possible that Conan Doyle drew on a number of houses as his inspiration for Hurlstone as he did for Baskerville Hall.