Lewes is the county town of Sussex with a long history, including the 1264 Battle of Lewes. Visitors today can immerse themselves in English history at Lewes Castle, open year round, featuring a stunning view of the surrounding area. The admission fee is quite reasonable and includes a special group price for families. Climb to the top of this 1000-year-old Norman style castle, built of limestone and flint blocks. A great way to get some exercise while exploring this national treasure! The gift shop and bookstore features books on local history and the archaeology of Sussex and the South Downs.
Another great place to spend an afternoon, especially in pleasant weather, is Priory Park. Once a group of French monks from Cluny lived here at the Priory of St. Pancras. All the monasteries in England were eventually eliminated in the Dissolution of the Monasteries in 1537. Information placques and signs direct today's visitors to follow the daily lives of the holy medieval residents.
The beautiful church building you visit today as The Church of St. John sub Castro was constructed in 1839. The intriguing fact about this church is that the original Saxon church was built in the 11th century on the even earlier site of a Roman fort. Visitors can walk among the gravesites and memorials, and see remnants of the ancient building incorporated in architect George Cheesman's Early English style structure.
