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.
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.
All values are in local currency
Anne of Cleaves House
52 Southover High Street
Lewes BN7 1JA
England
52 Southover High Street
Lewes BN7 1JA
England
Hours
March 1 to October 31
| Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat | Sun | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Open | Closed | 10:00 | 10:00 | 10:00 | 10:00 | 10:00 | 11:00 |
| Close | 17:00 | 17:00 | 17:00 | 17:00 | 17:00 | 17:00 |
November 1 to February 28
| Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat | Sun | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Open | Closed | 10:00 | 10:00 | 10:00 | 10:00 | 10:00 | Closed |
| Close | 17:00 | 17:00 | 17:00 | 17:00 | 17:00 |
Always closed on:
Christmas - Christian (December 25)
Christmas Eve - Christian (December 24)
Day after Christmas, St Stephen's Day, Boxing Day (December 26)
Christmas Eve - Christian (December 24)
Day after Christmas, St Stephen's Day, Boxing Day (December 26)
| Family | 9.85 |
| Adult | 3.65 |
| Group discounts | 3.30 |
| Concession or reduced rate | 3.25 |
| Child 15 & under | 1.70 |
Barbican House
In Lewes' Barbican House is the Museum of the Sussex Archaeological Society, and associated with this is Anne of Cleves' House.
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.
All values are in local currency
There are 35 locomotives, over 50 coaches and numerous freight vehicles currently on display.
Bluebell Railway Museum
Sheffield Park Station
Uckfield TN22 3QL
England
Sheffield Park Station
Uckfield TN22 3QL
England
Hours
May 1 to September 30
| Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat | Sun | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Open | 11:00 | 11:00 | 11:00 | 11:00 | 11:00 | 11:00 | 11:00 |
| Close | 16:00 | 16:00 | 16:00 | 16:00 | 16:00 | 16:00 | 16:00 |
October 1 to April 30
| Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat | Sun | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Open | Closed | Closed | Closed | Closed | Closed | ||
| Close |
Always closed on:
Christmas - Christian (December 25)
| Family | 30.00 |
| Adult | 10.50 |
| Child 16 & under | 5.25 |
| Group discounts | FREE |
| Child 2 & under | FREE |
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
Restaurant or food service
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.
All values are in local currency
Hours
March 19 to June 30
| Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat | Sun | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Open | Closed | Closed | 11:30 | 14:00 | 14:00 | 11:30 | 14:00 |
| Close | 18:00 | 18:00 | 18:00 | 18:00 | 18:00 |
July 1 to August 31
| Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat | Sun | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Open | Closed | Closed | 11:30 | 11:30 | 11:30 | 11:30 | 14:00 |
| Close | 18:00 | 18:00 | 18:00 | 18:00 | 18:00 |
September 1 to November 2
| Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat | Sun | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Open | Closed | Closed | 11:30 | 14:00 | 14:00 | 11:30 | 14:00 |
| Close | 18:00 | 18:00 | 18:00 | 18:00 | 18:00 |
| 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 |
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
Restaurant or food service
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.
Hours
| Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat | Sun | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Open | 9:30 | 9:30 | 9:30 | 9:30 | 9:30 | 9:30 | 9:30 |
| Close | 17:30 | 17:30 | 17:30 | 17:30 | 17:30 | 17:30 | 17:30 |
Always closed on:
New Year's Day (January 1)
Christmas - Christian (December 25)
Day after Christmas, St Stephen's Day, Boxing Day (December 26)
Christmas - Christian (December 25)
Day after Christmas, St Stephen's Day, Boxing Day (December 26)
Facilities
Gift shop
Restaurant or food service
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.
Hours
June 1 to September 28
| Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat | Sun | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Open | Closed | Closed | 14:00 | 14:00 | Closed | Closed | 14:00 |
| Close | 16:15 | 16:15 | 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)
Summer Bank Holiday - Britain outside Scotland (last Monday, August )
Easter - Christian (Apr 08)
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.
All values are in local currency
Hours
May 1 to August 31
| Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat | Sun | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Open | Closed | Closed | 14:00 | 14:00 | Closed | Closed | 14:00 |
| Close | 16:45 | 16:45 | 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)
Summer Bank Holiday - Britain outside Scotland (last Monday, August )
Easter - Christian (Apr 08)
| Adult | 8.00 |
| Students | 5.00 |
| Senior over 65 | 5.00 |
| Child 12 & under | FREE |
Guides
Interpretive sessions sometimes available.
Facilities
Restaurant or food service
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.
All values are in Euros
Lewes Castle and Barbican House
169 High Street
Lewes BN7 1YE
England
169 High Street
Lewes BN7 1YE
England
Hours
January 1 to January 31
| Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat | Sun | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Open | Closed | 10:00 | 10:00 | 10:00 | 10:00 | 10:00 | 11:00 |
| Close | 17:30 | 17:30 | 17:30 | 17:30 | 17:30 | 17:30 |
February 1 to December 31
| Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat | Sun | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Open | 10:00 | 10:00 | 10:00 | 10:00 | 10:00 | 10:00 | 11:00 |
| Close | 17:30 | 17:30 | 17:30 | 17:30 | 17:30 | 17:30 | 17:30 |
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)
Christmas Eve - Christian (December 24)
Day after Christmas, St Stephen's Day, Boxing Day (December 26)
| Family | € 13.55 |
| Adult | € 4.92 |
| Group discounts | € 4.40 |
| Senior | € 4.35 |
| Child 15 & under | € 2.55 |
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.
Virginia drowned herself here in 1941 and her ashes were scattered throughout the gardens.
Hours
April 4 to October 29
| Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat | Sun | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Open | Closed | Closed | 14:00 | Closed | Closed | 14:00 | Closed |
| Close | 17:30 | 17:30 |
Parking
Free
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.
