Explore the History of East Sussex

Discover the many outstanding houses, gardens and historic places of Sussex and Kent

East Sussex is one of the seven Saxon kingdoms, dating back to the 5th Century AD and home of the famous Battle of Hastings 1066. The region is steeped in history, culture and tradition with many places to visit for a historic day out.

  • Historic Anne of Cleves House in Lewes, England, with timber-framed architecture and brick exterior.

    Anne of Cleaves House

    Enjoy an insight into Tudor and Elizabethan life at Anne of Cleves House in Lewes.

  • By DeFacto - Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=72368509

    Batemans

    A 17th-century house, set in the landscape of the Sussex Weald; home of Rudyard Kipling. Photo Source.

  • Steam locomotive traveling through a lush, green countryside with smoke billowing from the engine; a bridge and tracks visible.

    Bluebell Railway

    Enjoy a day out at the Bluebell Railway to explore the Sussex countryside on a steam train.

  • Aerial view of a medieval stone castle surrounded by a moat and lush greenery.

    Bodiam Castle

    Archetypal 14th century moated castle with ruined interior - a glimpse of medieval splendour.

  • Colorful, eclectic living room with vintage furniture, artwork on walls, bookshelves, a fireplace with a painted mural, and decorative objects.

    Charleston House

    An exhibition and event space which was the modernist home and studio of the painters Vanessa Bell and Duncan Grant.

  • Large historic stone building with arched windows and multiple chimneys, under a partly cloudy sky.

    Glynde Place

    Glynde Place is a grade II listed, 600-year-old English country house with commanding views over the Weald and Sussex Downs.

  • A wooden fishing boat with red and white paint, labeled RX134, displayed on dry land in front of tall, black wooden huts. A seagull flies overhead against a clear blue sky.

    Hastings

    Hastings is a seaside town and the place of the 1066 Battle of Hastings.

  • Historical castle with reflection on a calm lake, surrounded by lush greenery under a partly cloudy sky.

    Herstmonceux Castle Estate

    Herstmonceux Castle is a brick-built castle, dating from the 15th century. It is one of the oldest significant brick buildings still standing in England.

  • A scenic view of a hillside town with historical architecture, featuring rows of traditional brick houses and a medieval castle in the background under a clear blue sky.

    Lewes Castle

    Climb to the top of Lewes Castle – a Norman Castle built after the Battle of Hastings by supporters of William the Conqueror – for stunning panoramic views across Sussex.

  • Historic stone manor house with a red roof beside a pond surrounded by green grass and trees, under a cloudy sky.

    Michelham Priory

    Explore 800 years of history at Michelham Priory House and Gardens – a Tudor house set on a picturesque moated island.

  • By Oliver Mallinson Lewis from Oxford, United Kingdom - Picture 009, CC BY-SA 2.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=3678660

    Monk’s House

    Monk’s House - Leonard and Virginia Woolf's 16th-century country retreat located in the village of Rodmell, three miles south of Lewes.

  • Historic stone manor house surrounded by gardens with pathways, greenery, and blooming flowers under a partly cloudy sky.

    Nymans

    A garden lovers' home for all seasons, with an extensive yet intimate garden set around a romantic house and ruins.

  • Historic stone castle with red-tiled roof surrounded by manicured gardens with hedges and pathways, set against a blue sky with clouds.

    Penshurst Place

    Penshurst Place is a historic building near Tonbridge, Kent. The original medieval house is one of the most complete surviving examples of 14th-century domestic architecture in England.

  • Abandoned castle ruins with stone walls, towers, and archways covered in greenery, with a dirt path leading up to a gate under a clear blue sky.

    Pevensey Castle

    Founded in the 4th century as one of the last of the Roman 'Saxon Shore' forts, Pevensey Castle was also the landing place of William the Conqueror's army in 1066.

  • Brighton Royal Pavilion with domes and minarets surrounded by gardens.

    The Royal Pavilion Brighton

    The Brighton Royal Pavilion and surrounding gardens is a Grade I listed former seaside retreat for George, Prince of Wales, who became the Prince Regent in 1811, and King George IV in 1820.

  • Picturesque cobbled street with historic brick and half-timbered houses covered in green ivy and shrubs, featuring colorful plants and a clear blue sky.

    Rye

    A medieval citadel huddled against invaders and the sea, Rye reveals its history gently.

  • Serene autumn landscape with vibrant red, orange, and yellow trees reflecting in a calm pond; blue sky with clouds in the background.

    Sheffield Park & Gardens

    Acres of landscaped garden and lakes, surrounded by historic parkland and woodland.

  • Interior of a traditional living room with vintage furniture, wooden paneling, and a sunlit window.

    Standen House and Garden

    Arts and Crafts family home with Morris & Co. interiors, set in a beautiful hillside garden.

Please Note

If you are members, look out for those curated by The National Trust and English Heritage.