"You can see Lewes lying like a box of toys under a great amphitheatre of chalky hills." So wrote William Morris, one of the many to comment on the idyllic setting of this historic town.
High above the medieval streets stands Lewes Castle, begun soon after 1066 by William de Warenne as his stronghold in Sussex and added to over the next 300 years, culminating in the magnificent Barbican. Steep climbs to the top of this and the adjacent keep are rewarded with spectacular views.
Next door, in Barbican House Museum, explore the archeological history of Sussex and the changing exhibitions in the upper gallery and visit the specialist history and archeological bookshop on the ground floor
Admission Pricing for 2019: Adult £8.20, Child (5-17) £4.50, Seniors (65yrs+) £7.40, Students £7.20, Family £22.00 (2 adults and up to 4 children), Carer for disabled (if required) Free.
Free admission for Sussex Archaeological Society members and National Art Pass holders.
Combined admission with Anne of Cleves House: Adult £13.00, Child (5-17) £7.50, Seniors (65yrs+) £12.00, Students £12.00, Family £34.00 (2 adults and up to 4 children).
Lewes Castle is located centrally in Lewes off the High Street, a few minutes walk from the bus and railway stations. Lewes is easily accessed from the A27, A26 and A275; drivers using the A27 should enter the town from the eastern end of the Lewes by-pass via the Cuilfail Tunnel. Lewes railway station is served by regular trains from Brighton, Eastbourne, Hastings and London.
| Season (1 Jan 2019 - 31 Dec 2019) |
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* Open: November to February: 10am to 3.45pm.
March to October: 10am to 5.30pm. Last admission is 30 minutes before closing time. We open at 11am on Sundays, Mondays and Bank holidays.
Closed: Mondays in January, Christmas Day, Boxing Day and January 1.
The gift shop and the bookshop, selling new and second-hand books with a special focus on the history and archaeology of Lewes, Sussex and the South Downs, are both open daily until 5.30 pm.
© Visit Lewes 2019. All Rights Reserved
