Sussex Castles Cathedrals Stately Homes Pevensey Castle 1066 Hastings Arundel Chichester

Hastings Castle, Battle Abbey & the Battle of Hastings 1066 Trail

Grade I listed Hastings Castle on West Hill has recently undergone extensive conservation work. The Norman castle remains link Hastings with the Norman Conquest. Pevensey Castle to the West was constructed first followed by Hastings Castle which William ordered should be rebuilt in stone shortly after his coronation in 1066. St Mary's Chapel was also built adjacent to the castle.

Hastings Castle prospered from the Norman period through to its refortification under Henry III in 1220. The castle's decline, like much of this stretch of Cinque Port coastline including Old Winchelsea, dates from the period of the Medieval great storms when chunks of the castle actually collapsed into the sea. Take the West Cliff Railway up to the ruins of Hastings Castle's East Gate, Chapter House and cloistered chapel. The 1066 Story exhibit is also on-site.

Battle in the High Weald AONB is home to one of England's most historic sites, the battlefield of the Battle of Hastings fought here on 14th October 1066. It was here that England changed. The battle marked the end of Anglo-Saxon England and the beginnings of Norman domination.

Today the Battle Abbey & 1066 Battlefield site is cared for by English Heritage and alongside Dover Castle is one of the most visited historic sites in the South. An extensive on-site exhibition near the magnificent towered Abbey Gatehouse guides you through the history of the 1066 Battle before you move on to tour the Battlefield site. Plaques detailing the events of the battle are situated around the Battlefield trail, complimented by an audio tour. Other museums and historic sites on the huge Battle site include the ruins of Battle Abbey, a walled garden, the Museum of Abbey Life and the Court House and Medieval Gatehouse.

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Pevensey Castle, The Norman Invasion & Roman Fort Walls, 1066 Trail

Pevensey Castle, one of William the Conqueror's great Norman Castles along the South East Coast, originally sat overlooking the sea and Bay on a spit. Today the castle is three miles inland and evidence of just how much this stretch of Sussex coast shifted and changed particularly during the great medieval storms.

The Normans however were not the first invaders to set up camp at Pevensey as the site's spectacular Roman Towered Walls remind. Pevensey in the 4th century (from AD43 to AD470) was one of the great mighty Roman 'Saxon Shore' Forts and part of the Roman city of Anderida. Integral later to the Norman conquest, it was at Pevensey that William the Conqueror first landed with his army. William had already learnt that King Harold's English fleet was recuperating at London following a battering by gales. This gave William the motivation to proceed to attack by sea, landing here at Pevensey unopposed and first errecting a timber and earthwork castle on the old Roman Fort. From Pevensey William then moved his forces to Hastings and then when learning of Harold's advance the Normans moved again 7 miles inland to Telham Hill and the Battle of Hastings site now at Battle. The Battle of Hastings, the most famous of all battles fought on English soil, then took place on 14th October 1066.

Such is Pevensey's crucial place within the Norman invasion and essential visiting on the 1066 trail. After the conquest Pevensey was converted from timber structure to a mighty stone Norman Castle with keep, towered bailey wall and a twin towered gatehouse. The castle was later reinforced during the Tudor period in 1588 in preparation for defence against the Spanish Armada. The castle also saw service during World War II when machine gun posts and pillboxes were positioned here. Pevensey Castle is now run by English Heritage and you'll find a fascinating exhibition on-site displaying finds from the site including an Armada canon and an audio tour of the castle is available. Walk through the Roman gateway in the walls towards the first of the Norman churches built at Pevensey - St Nicholas. The marshes which sit between Pevensey Castle and the sea are known as the Pevensey Levels, a Site of Special Scientific Interest and due to the fragile nature of habitats here they are not open to the public. Read more on the Pevensey Levels via the Sussex Wildlife Trust's webguide.

Pevensey Castle, High Street, Pevensey, East Sussex BN24 5LE. Tel.01323 762604.

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Arundel Castle, Stately Home & Gardens

Founded originally in 1067, the elevated Arundel Castle is both masterpiece of the Victorian Gothic and an outstanding example of various Norman features which survive including the Keep, Gatehouse and Barbican and the lower section of the Bevis Tower. From its hill top position spectacular views of the meandering River Arun and the South Downs can be seen from Arundel Castle. Extensive stunning gardens surround it and a stately home is also on-site.

The Dukes of Norfolk have resided here at Arundel Castle for over 900 years dating from Roger de Montgomery, the Earl of Arundel's construction of the castle at the end of the 11th century. The castle's oldest features include the motte mound dating from 1068 and the spectacular gatehouse dating from 1070.

A breathtaking collection of treasures sit within the castle spanning almost a 1000 years of history. Highlights include portraits by Gainsborough, Mytens, Reynolds and Canaletto and certain personal items of Mary Queen of Scots including a prayer book and rosary beads. The commissioned portrait by William Fowler of Queen Victoria who visited Arundel Castie with Prince Albert in 1846, is also fascinating. It was Henry, the 15th Duke of Norfolk (1847-1917) who was responsible for the mammoth restoration project between the 1870s and 1890s which essentially turned Arundel Castle into one of Britain's great Gothic Victorian buildings which gives the castle a uniquely 'fairytale' look. The on-site gardens are equally lavish and include a peach house, vinery, rose garden, an 18th century bowling green and new Jacobean formal garden.

Arundel Castle, Arundel, West Sussex, BN18 9AB. Tel. 01903 882173.

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Arundel Cathedral

Two striking structures greet you as you approach Arundel from any direction - Arundel Castle and the spectaular French Gothic Arundel Cathedral. Built from honey beige Bath stone and founded by the famous Henry the 15th Duke of Norfolk (responsible also for the gothic transformation of Arundel Castle), Arundel Cathedral was completed in July 1873 and is part of the Catholic Diocese.

On the exterior the ornate west facade with its mighty rose stained glass window contains stunning sculptures of Christ with the apostles and below those a statue of Mary and child. Move inside to discover more striking features including the tall and narrow nave with six bays and vaulted ceiling.

You'll note various features denoting St Philip Howard, Earl of Arundel born in 1557 -for example he features in stained glass windows and in the shrine within the north transept. St Philip died in the Tower of London in 1595 when held there as a prisoner. As a Catholic he had been accused of wishing victory for the Spanish Armada. The cathedral is today dedicated to him.

Arundel Cathedral is particularly famous for its annual Corpus Christi event in late May/early June. A carpet of flowers are spread along the central aisle of the cathedral. Influenced by customs in the Italian church, Duke Henry again first introduced this practice in 1877. Arundel Cathedral, Cathedral House, Parsons Hill, Arundel, West Sussex, BN18 9AY. Tel. 01903 882297. When services are not taking placed the cathedral is usually open to visitors.

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Chichester Cathedral

Magnificent Chichester Cathedral has roots stretching back to 681AD and Saint Wilfrid's quest to bring Christianity to Sussex. Saint Wilfrid set up the first cathedral in Selsey but with the Norman demand to site cathedrals in large population centres all shifted to Chichester. One of Britain's great Norman cathedrals, although much added to over the centuries, Chichester celebrated its 900th birthday in 2008. Building work began in 1076 and continued well into the 12th century with Bishop Ralph Luffa dedicating the building in 1108. Affected by fires during the 12th century, Chichester Cathedral saw numerous reconstructions and extensions.

In the 13th century chapels were added to the nave and today you'll note during a tour that these additional chapels give Chichester Cathedral a particularly wide architectural form. In the 12th century Chichester Cathedral became an important site for pilgrimage until the Reformation after the canonisation of Bishop Richard in 1262. Pilgrims came to visit St Richard's shrine at Chichester in the retro-choir until the shrine's destruction by Henry VIII in 1538. Particular highlights, of which there are many inside and outside the Cathedral, include the two stunning Romanesque Sculptures dating from the 12th century depicting Lazarus raised and Christ's arrival at Bethany. These are rare examples of pre-gothic sculpture and would have been originally coloured with jewelled eyes. Note too on the exterior the distinct separate 15th century bell tower - a unique feature to Chichester.

Having seen centuries of neglect after the Reformation, Chichester Cathedral was renovated in earnest during the Victorian period from the 1840s by Dean Walter Farquar Hook. Unfortunately the spire collapsed during this restoration so the one you see today is Sir George Gilbert Scott's work. Back in the interior, many features stir the soul. Philip Larkin was particularly moved by the Arundel Tomb at Chichester - the medieval tomb of Richard FitzAlan, Earl of Arundel and his second wife Eleanor of Lancaster. The poem 'An Arundel Tomb' featured in Larkin's The Whitsun Weddings collection was inspired by it. The sculptor certainly captured something unique in this tomb, an expression of affection from a knight - unusual in the period, which depicts the medieval lord touching his wife's hand and rather friendly looking dogs at their feet. For more details on the history of Chichester Cathedral and the various artworks on display including a wide selection of modern art such as Marc Chagall's window, see the Cathedral's comprehensive webguide. Disabled access is excellent (details with map are via the website) and a wheelchair is on-site for free public use.

Chichester Cathedral, The Royal Chantry, Cathedral Cloisters, Chichester, West Sussex PO19 1PX. Tel. 01243 782595. Free guided tours are available Monday to Saturday (usually 2 per day) lasting around 45 minutes, with constant roving guide present. A cafe and Cloisters Shop are also on-site. Numerous events and exhibitions take place throughout the year including Lunchtime Concerts and Talks. Exhibitions often feature acclaimed local artists and photographers.

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Standen House National Trust

Situated just to the south of East Grinstead en-route to Weir Woods and Reservoir is Standen, a major showpiece of the Arts & Crafts Movement and run by the National Trust. Standen boasts some of the finest examples of William Morris wallpaper in its interior. Essentially a comfortable and unpretentious Victorian home, gardens and woodland walks are all set within the stunning Sussex High Weald AONB.

It was a friend of William Morris, Philip Webb who designed Standen in the 1890s. Fans of William Morris won't want to miss the Morris fabrics, wallpapers and carpets throughout Standen. Also inside are contemporary paintings, embroidery, furniture and ceramics from the period and the property has its original electric light fittings. Situated as it is within the High Weald you can expect spectacular views of the surrounding Sussex Wealden countryside.

Standen, West Hoathly Road, East Grinstead, West Sussex RH19 4NE. Tel. 01342 323029. A National Trust Shop and the licensed Barn Restaurant are within the estate. Open from March to December at changing opening times. Check the National Trust's Standen webguide for opening time details.

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Bramber Village, Bramber Castle & St Mary's House

Attractive Bramber village near Steyning makes an equally good base for exploring the Downs and for access onto the South Downs Way National Trail. The village boasts two famous historic attractions in the area - the Norman Castle remains of Bramber Castle and the Elizabethan St Mary's House. Bramber Castle (dating from 1070-1073) and a chapel were built shortly after the Norman conquest by William de Braose.

St Mary's House surrounded by gardens at Bramber dates from 1470 and has had an illustrious list of owners through the centuries as well as being an inspiration for novels by Oscar Wilde and Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. For a period during the 15th century St Mary's was a monastic inn for pilgrims. Inside see stunning Jacobean panelling and marquetry overmantel and a 17th century staircase with carved wooden lions. The garden areas are equally magnificent inclusive of Topiary Garden, Secret Garden and The Terrace Garden. Kids will love the Animal Topiary of shrubs sculptured into the shape of birds and animals.

Concerts, functions and weddings all regularly feature at St Mary's House. Read more via the webguide. A shop and refreshments are available on-site.

St. Mary's House, Bramber, West Sussex BN44 3WE. Tel. 01903 816205.

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Petworth & Petworth House & Park

The cobbled narrow streets of historic market town Petworth are charming, famously lined with antique shops, stylish boutiques, cosy tearooms and character inns and restaurants. Petworth is one of the prettiest towns in the South Downs boasting particularly some spectacular Georgian architecture.

Petworth is home to one of the South's most famous stately homes, the National Trust's treasure Petworth House and Park. A showpiece for some of the National Trust's finest art including work by Turner and set within the magnificent landscaped deer park designed by 'Capability' Brown, Petworth House & Park is a special place. Beginning with the park, parts of which you will inevitably walk through en-route to the central house, covers a mammoth 700 acres and is one of the great English Landscaper Lancelot Brown's most stunning creations. The deers within the park are the oldest herd of fallow deer in England! Capability Brown was at work on Petworth Park from 1751 to 1764 and you'll note his distinctive feature - the Serpentine lake within. The park blends seemlessly with the Downs beyond - a deliberate intention by Brown. On the lake the prominent sculpture of 'The Dog of Alcibiades' was commissioned by the 3rd Earl of Egremont as a memorial to his favourite hound who drowned in the lake. Note too the 17th century stone urns scattered about the park and you will certainly spot the graceful deer who still occasionally come right upto the house.

The centrepiece 17th century mansion house which was painted by JMW Turner contains stunning National Trust owned art including work by Turner, Reynolds, Blake and Van Dyck. Numerous neo-classical sculptures are also inside alongside exquisite furniture and carvings by Grinling Gibbons. Also on view in a tour of the house are the Servants Quarters. The architectural style of the house is distinctly French. The current house, which was rebuilt, dates from 1682 and is thought to have been designed by Daniel Marot a French Huguenot once employed by William III. Read a full history of the house and gardens via the National Trust's website.

Petworth House & Park, Petworth, West Sussex GU28 0AE Telephone.01798 343929 (Infoline). Open from mid-March to early November. A shop and restaurant are on-site. See the National Trust's webguide for specific opening days.

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The Cowdray Estate at Midhurst

Midhurst's main attraction is the stunning Cowdray Estate set within breathtaking Sussex countryside. The Cowdray Ruins within Cowdray Park are a Tudor courtier's palace dating from 1520. A fire severely damaged the property in 1793. The palace had some prestigious visitors in its heyday including Henry VIII and Elizabeth I. A visit involves a tour of the Tudor kitchens, the spectacular gatehouse and a visitor centre explaining the history and a shop is on-site. The huge Cowdray Estate is also home to a Polo Club, a Golf Course and Club and various leisure pursuits including fishing, clay pigeon shooting, falconry days and archery. For more details see the Cowdray Ruins and Estate webguides.

Cowdray Estate Office, Cowdray Park, Midhurst, West Sussex GU29 0AQ. Tel.01730 812423. Open 9am to 5.30 pm, Monday to Friday. (Closes for lunch 1 to 2pm).

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Uppark House & Gardens West Sussex Downs

In the heart of the South Downs north of Compton and East and West Marden sits the late 17th century Uppark House and Garden owned by the National Trust. Uppark House is famed for its symetrical giant Georgian dolls house appearance. The simple domestic style of this 'jewel of the South Downs' dating from c.1690 takes its influence from the Netherlands. The house remained largely unchanged from the 19th century until a fire damaged the building severely in 1989 causing considerable sorrow to many. The National Trust's conservation and restoration work here though is to be celebrated. Stories abound in Uppark's history including previous owner Humphry Repton's marriage to his dairy maid and subsequent bequest of his estate to her after his death in 1846. Stunning views across to the Solent can be seen from the estate.

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Parham House & Gardens near Storrington

The spectacular Parham House and Gardens sits just to the west of Storrington, with the Times and Guardian journalist Simon Jenkins ranking Parham as one of England's top twenty historic houses. Surrounded by 875 acres of agricultural and forestry land, with some parts of it Designated Areas of Special Scientific Interest, the centrepiece Parham House dates from 1577. Three hundred acres directly around the house is a deer park which was first recorded here at Parham in 1628.

Several periods are covered during a tour of Parham's interior including the Great Hall with furnishings and paintings dating from the period of Charles I. Art treasures are within Parham too - see George Stubbs' The Kangaroo and Dingo Dog on display in the Green Room. A treasured collection of fine needlework is on display in the Long Gallery. Parham House & Gardens, Storrington, Nr Pulborough, West Sussex RH20 4HS. Tel.01903 742021. More details on Parham's history and opening times are via the Parham House & Gardens webguide.

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Rye Castle Museum & Camber Castle

To explore in-depth the many facets of Rye's history head to the Rye Castle Museum on East Street and also the Ypres Tower. Within the Tower exhibits feature medieval pottery and smugglers artefacts including a spout lantern. The East Street site was originally a bottling factory for a nearby brewery and here you'll find changing exhibitions focusing on Rye's history including Cinque Ports Regalia, Rye's shipbuilding heritage and often featured exhibits on artists connected with Rye including E.E.Benson. Kids will love Pugwash Quizzes and exhibits. John Ryan, the creator of the Captain Pugwash cartoons heralds from Rye where inspiration for Pugwash and crew aboard his ship The Black Pig fighting smugglers and the dastedly Cut Throat Jake is all around in the Rye area.

Camber Castle is actually located to the west of Camber village and Camber Sands Beach. It sits midway between Rye and Winchelsea and is also known as Winchelsea Castle. The shifting seas in this area of the East Sussex coast are in evidence at Camber Castle. The site once stood on the shingle spit which protected the approach to Cinque Port Rye and Winchelsea. Land around Camber Castle before the late 16th century was a shallow harbour! If you have seen other castles around the Cinque Ports of the Channel Coast - for example at Deal and Walmer in Kent, you'll note the similarity in symmetrical shape between these and Camber Castle. Camber is another of Henry VIII's defensive castles along this stretch of the South Coast.

The castle was completed in 1544 but towards the end of the 16th century the harbour area here was already beginning to silt up and the harbour mouth was relocating. Today the Camber Castle site sits within the Rye Harbour Nature Reserve, a designated Area of Special Scientific Interest. Download the Camber Castle Walk leaflet via the Nature Reserve's webguide which also contains detailed leaflets on the history of the castle. Camber Castle, Camber East Sussex TN31 7RS. Tel. 01797 223862. Open July to September 2pm to 5pm Saturdays and Sundays, last entry 4.30pm.

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Goodwood House & George Stubbs

Standing splendid in the South Downs, Goodwood House is a stunning quintessentially English country house which began life as a Jacobean house but was considerably developed through the 18th century incorporating classic and Palladian styles, then later from the 1800s with additional Regency Apartments. Architecturally Goodwood is wonderfully unique. Acclaimed for its outstanding art collection, inclusive of both British and European art and featuring the great George Stubbs and others such as Canaletto, Goodwood is adorned with both French and English furniture of the finest quality. A visit to Goodwood House is a journey through numerous styles and themes including Regency (note the great Regency State Apartments built by the 3rd Duke of Richmond and designed by James Wyatt) as well as Edwardian architectural and decorative styles and the history of horse racing and cricket. Acquisitions from France and Scotland have been numerous through Goodwood House's history. The first English commission paintings of Canaletto depicting London scenes are here at Goodwood as are fireplaces and chairs designed by William Kent.

The first class painting collection includes many portraits of the family or related royals. Fans of the Stuart period will marvel at the work by Van Dyck and Lely (his famous 'Henrietta, Duchess of Orleans' is here at Goodwood) and the painting 'Horse Racing on the Downs at Goodwood' by the acclaimed animal painter George Stubbs is a highlight. Stubbs studied the anatomy of horses and the animals he painted, capturing the accuracy of their movement in a revolutionary naturalistic way. He is considered by many an art critic as a revolutionary painter. Portraits by Joshua Reynolds and Romney as well as work by John and George Smith of Chichester also feature.

Goodwood House, Goodwood, Chichester, West Sussex PO18 0PX. Tel. 01243 755040.

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Bodiam Castle & Herstmonceux Castle, Sussex High Weald

Bodiam Castle in the Sussex High Weald is one of the most breathtaking of all the English castles. Surrounded by a dramatic Medieval water moat and with Medieval battlements and ramparts, Bodiam Castle was built in 1385 for reasons of defence and as a home. Part of Bodiam's magic is the fact that the exterior is almost totally complete, as it was when it was built, and plenty survives in the interior too. A particularly good castle visit for children, at Bodiam are Bat Packs, kids quizzes and a choice of children's events.

See the National Trust's webguide for details and opening times. Bodiam Castle (NT), Bodiam, nr Robertsbridge, East Sussex TN32 5UA. Tel. 01580 830196.

Mid-way between Hailsham and Battle sits the magnificent Herstmonceux Castle. This castle has a fascinating history dating back to its original function as a mid-15th century country home. The castle has links with the Fiennes family with Sir Roger Fiennnes Treasurer to Henry VI first starting work on Herstmonceux in 1441. The building was revolutionary for its use of bricks and Herstmonceux stands as one of England's first major brick buildings to be constructed. Beautiful Elizabethan gardens and parkland surround Herstmonceux with the gardens including a walled garden and stunning roses and herbaceous borders in summer with rhododendrons, azaleas and bluebells creating colour in spring.

The castle is moated to great effect and the moat lake surrounding the castle is covered with lilies. By the early 20th century Herstmonceux had fallen on hard times until in 1911 it was purchased by Lt.Col. Claude Lowther who rebuilt much of the South front. In 1993 it was purchased by Drs Alfred and Isabel Bader to be used by Queen's University of Canada. Alfred Bader already had strong links with this area of Sussex where he spent some of his childhood after being evacuated around the time of the Second World War. The history of both Alfred Bader and Herstmonceux is explored in-depth via an exhibition on-site and highly professional and fascinating guided tours are avilable to the public. A castle tearooms are also on-site. Herstmonceux also plays host to a spectacular Medieval Festival over several days in late August annually involving jousting, archery, falconry displays, medieval magicians and more. Herstmonceux Castle, Hailsham, East Sussex BN27 1RN. Tel. 01323 833816. Open from Mid-April to early November from 10am to 6pm, last entrance 5pm.

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