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Lewes, England Attractions

Lewes (pop. 15,000), 8mi/13km northeast of Brighton, is the county town of East Sussex. It is magnificently situated on the Downs, at the point where the River Ouse has cut its way through the hills. Lewes is noted for the many restaurants, cafes, and antique shops as well as the market on the first Saturday of each month.

Lewes Castle was built around 1088 to defend this passage. It has a ruined keep (views) and fine flint masonry. The picturesque old town with its steep streets, old half-timbered buildings, Georgian houses and typical flint masonry surrounds the castle.

The most interesting churches are St Anne's (mainly Norman) and St Michael's, with a round tower. The Town Hall, with a fine oak staircase (1893), contains the Municipal Museum.
Anne of Cleves House
Anne of Cleaves House is located just a short walk from Lewes Castle. Anne of Cleves was the former wife of Henry VIII and the house was part of the divorce settlement, but Anne never lived here.
Address
Anne of Cleaves House
52 Southover High Street
Lewes BN7 1JA
England
Hours
March 1 to October 31
MonTueWedThuFriSatSun
OpenClosed10:0010:0010:0010:0010:0011:00
Close 17:0017:0017:0017:0017:0017:00
November 1 to February 28
MonTueWedThuFriSatSun
OpenClosed10:0010:0010:0010:0010:00Closed
Close 17:0017:0017:0017:0017:00
Always closed on:
Christmas - Christian (December 25)
Christmas Eve - Christian (December 24)
Day after Christmas, St Stephen's Day, Boxing Day (December 26)
Cost
Family 9.85
Adult 3.65
Group discounts 3.30
Concession or reduced rate 3.25
Child 15 & under 1.70
All values are in local currency
Tips
Lewes Castle is a short walk from the house and a joint admission may be purchased for both. Group admission for 15 or more.
Barbican House
In Lewes' Barbican House is the Museum of the Sussex Archaeological Society, and associated with this is Anne of Cleves' House.
Hours
MonTueWedThuFriSatSun
OpenClosed10:0010:0010:0010:0010:0011:00
Close 17:3017:3017:3017:3017:3017:30
Cost
Family 11.40
Adult 4.20
Senior 3.70
Child 2.10
All values are in local currency
Bluebell Railway Museum
The Bluebell Railway was one of the first preserved railways in the UK. It opened in 1960 and has three remaining stations: Sheffield Park, Horsted Keynes and Kingscote.

There are 35 locomotives, over 50 coaches and numerous freight vehicles currently on display.
Address
Bluebell Railway Museum
Sheffield Park Station
Uckfield TN22 3QL
England
Hours
May 1 to September 30
MonTueWedThuFriSatSun
Open11:0011:0011:0011:0011:0011:0011:00
Close16:0016:0016:0016:0016:0016:0016:00
October 1 to April 30
MonTueWedThuFriSatSun
OpenClosedClosedClosedClosedClosed
Close
Always closed on:
Christmas - Christian (December 25)
Cost
Family 30.00
Adult 10.50
Child 16 & under 5.25
Group discountsFREE
Child 2 & underFREE
All values are in local currency
Tips
Free entry to Sheffield Park Station when no trains are running. Family admission (2 adults and up to 3 children).
Parking
Free
Disabled
Partial facilities for persons with disabilities.
Facilities
Gift shop
Restaurant or food service
Transit
Bus: from Haywards Heath (270) and East Grinstead (473)
Cotchford Farm - Home of Winnie the Pooh
It was near Upper Hartfield that A. A. Milne created the immortal character of Winnie the Pooh. Places related in the famous stories can be found here, including the Five Hundred Acre Wood (Hundred Acre Wood), the 'Six Pine Trees' and Poohsticks Bridge.
Firle - Charleston Farmhouse
Charleston Farmhouse in Firle was the country retreat for London's Bloomsbury Group. It houses the last surviving works of decorative artists Vanessa Bell and Duncan Grant.
Address
Charleston
Firle BN8 6LL
England
Hours
March 19 to June 30
MonTueWedThuFriSatSun
OpenClosedClosed11:3014:0014:0011:3014:00
Close 18:0018:0018:0018:0018:00
July 1 to August 31
MonTueWedThuFriSatSun
OpenClosedClosed11:3011:3011:3011:3014:00
Close 18:0018:0018:0018:0018:00
September 1 to November 2
MonTueWedThuFriSatSun
OpenClosedClosed11:3014:0014:0011:3014:00
Close 18:0018:0018:0018:0018:00
Cost
Family 20.00
Adult 7.50
Concession or reduced rate 6.50
Disabled 5.50
Child 16 & under 5.50
Grounds / gardens only around attraction 3.00
All values are in local currency
Tips
Concessions (Thursdays for seniors, students and unemployed) Tea and cakes available Wednesdays to Sundays 2-5 pm. Gift shop open for Christmas shopping weekends from November 1-December 20.
Discounts on
Thursday
Disabled
Partial facilities for persons with disabilities.
Guides
Guided tour included with admission.
Facilities
Gift shop
Restaurant or food service
Transit
Bus: Autopoint Rider 125 from Lewes.
Firle - English Farm Cider Centre
At the English Farm Cider Centre visitors can sample from 150 varieties of farmhouse ciders. English cheeses and savories are for sale in the Farm Shop. Relax by the log fire or in the sunny courtyard.
Address
English Farm Cider Centre
Middle Farm
Firle BN8 6LJ
England
Hours
MonTueWedThuFriSatSun
Open9:309:309:309:309:309:309:30
Close17:3017:3017:3017:3017:3017:3017:30
Always closed on:
New Year's Day (January 1)
Christmas - Christian (December 25)
Day after Christmas, St Stephen's Day, Boxing Day (December 26)
Cost
Admission Cost 3.00
Child 2 & underFREE
All values are in local currency
Facilities
Gift shop
Restaurant or food service
Firle Place
Firle Place is a Georgian Mansion with a Tudor core set in Downland Park. Its collections include the works of European and English Old Masters, French and English furniture, porcelain and American artifacts. It is a member property of the Historic Houses Association.
Address
Firle Place
Lewes BN8 6LP
England
Hours
June 1 to September 28
MonTueWedThuFriSatSun
OpenClosedClosed14:0014:00ClosedClosed14:00
Close 16:1516:15 16:15
Always opened on:
Spring Bank Holiday - Britain (last Monday, May )
Summer Bank Holiday - Britain outside Scotland (last Monday, August )
Easter - Christian (Apr 08)
Cost
Adult 6.50
Pensioners (OAP) 5.50
Disabled 3.00
Child 3.00
All values are in local currency
Tips
Groups discounts for pre-booked parties of 25 or more. Connoisseur's Day prices are higher.
Guides
Interpretive sessions sometimes available.
Glynde Place
Glynde Place is an Elizabethan manor house and family home of Viscount and Viscountess Hampden. It offers fabulous views over the South Downs. Portrait and furniture displays are especially interesting.
Address
Glynde Place
Lewes BN8 6SX
England
Hours
May 1 to August 31
MonTueWedThuFriSatSun
OpenClosedClosed14:0014:00ClosedClosed14:00
Close 16:4516:45 16:45
Always opened on:
Spring Bank Holiday - Britain (last Monday, May )
Summer Bank Holiday - Britain outside Scotland (last Monday, August )
Easter - Christian (Apr 08)
Cost
Adult 8.00
Students 5.00
Senior over 65 5.00
Child 12 & underFREE
All values are in local currency
Guides
Interpretive sessions sometimes available.
Facilities
Restaurant or food service
Transit
Walk from Glyned rail station.
Lewes Castle and Barbican House
In Lewes' Barbican House is the Museum of the Sussex Archaeological Society, and associated with this is Anne of Cleves' House.
Address
Lewes Castle and Barbican House
169 High Street
Lewes BN7 1YE
England
Hours
January 1 to January 31
MonTueWedThuFriSatSun
OpenClosed10:0010:0010:0010:0010:0011:00
Close 17:3017:3017:3017:3017:3017:30
February 1 to December 31
MonTueWedThuFriSatSun
Open10:0010:0010:0010:0010:0010:0011:00
Close17:3017:3017:3017:3017:3017:3017:30
Always opened on:
Summer Bank Holiday - Britain outside Scotland (last Monday, August )
Always closed on:
Christmas - Christian (December 25)
Christmas Eve - Christian (December 24)
Day after Christmas, St Stephen's Day, Boxing Day (December 26)
Cost
Family€ 13.55
Adult€ 4.92
Group discounts€ 4.40
Senior€ 4.35
Child 15 & under€ 2.55
All values are in Euros
Tips
Anne of Cleaves House is a short walk from the castle and a combined admission ticket is available.
Monk's House
The Monk's House, in Rodmell near Lewes, was the home of the writer Virginia Woolf. The rooms are presented as they would have appeared during visits by the writers, philosphers and artists that made up the 'Bloomsbury Group'.

Virginia drowned herself here in 1941 and her ashes were scattered throughout the gardens.
Address
Monk's House
Rodmell
Lewes BN7 3HF
England
Hours
April 4 to October 29
MonTueWedThuFriSatSun
OpenClosedClosed14:00ClosedClosed14:00Closed
Close 17:30 17:30
Cost
Family€ 7.25
Adult€ 2.90
Child€ 1.45
All values are in Euros
Tips
Last admission 5:00 pm. No dogs in house or garden.
Parking
Free
Transit
BritRail: Southease
Mount Caburn
Southeast of Lewes is Mount Caburn, which rises steeply to a height of 490ft/150m; to the west is Mount Harry (639ft/195m), above the racecourse.
University of Sussex
The University of Sussex, founded in 1961, lies 4mi/6.4km west of Lewes. Its main administrative offices are in Stanmer House, a Palladian mansion built between 1720 and 1727; the new buildings were designed by Sir Basil Spence.
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