Sussex, maritime county in SE. of England, bounded N. and NE. by Surrey and Kent, SE. and S. by the English Channel, and W. and NW. by Hants; greatest length, N. and S., 27 miles; greatest breadth, E. and W., 76 miles; area, 933,269 acres, population 490,505. From the Hants border, near Petersfield, to Beachy Head, the county is traversed by the South Downs; to the N. of this range of chalk hills is the valley of the Weald, rising into the Forest Ridge on the NE., and sinking 011 the SE., towards the sea, into wide marshes. The rivers are not important; they are the Arun, Adur, Ouse, and Rother, all flowing S. to the English Channel. The principal means of communication are the railways; these belong chiefly to the London, Brighton, and South Coast system, which has steamers running daily between Newhaven and Dieppe. The most fertile soil is the low land along the coast, which yields heavy crops of grain and hay; the South Downs are chiefly pastoral, and support a well-known breed of sheep to which they give name; the Weald consists generally of sandy or tenacious clays of a very indifferent description, but the clays produce a stiff soil, remarkably favourable to the growth of forest trees, particularly the oak, and about 150,000 acres are under wood; hops are grown in the eastern part of the county, which borders on the hop districts of Kent. Ironstone is abundant, and so long as wood only was used for smelting the county was one of the chief seats of the British iron trade. The manufactures include woollens, paper, gunpowder, bricks and tiles, &c., but are not extensive. The seaports are now small and comparatively unimportant, but the mildness of the climate along the sea coast has led to the growth of numerous watering and bathing places and health resorts, including Brighton, Hastings, Eastbourne, Seaford, Littlehampton, and Bognor. Sussex was the scene of much of the early history of the country, and is rich in archaeological remains. The county contains 6 rapes, which comprise 68 hundreds, 2 liberties, the parliamentary and municipal boroughs of Brighton (2 members) and Hastings (1 member), and the municipal boroughs of Arundel, Chichester, Eastbourne, Lewes, and Rye. It is almost entirely in the diocese of Chichester.
– John Bartholomew, Gazetteer of the British Isles (1887)[The above description refers to East and West Sussex combined.]
Alfriston Clergy House – National Trust
The Tye, Alfriston
Polegate BN26 5TL
01323 870001
www.nationaltrust.org.uk/alfriston-clergy-house
The Clergy House is remarkable as a surviving example of a typical thatched Wealden Hall House dating back to the 14th century. It was probably built for a yeoman farmer and later passed into the possession of the church.
Anne of Cleves House
52 Southover High Street
Lewes BN7 1JA
01273 474610
www.sussexpast.co.uk
Henry VIII granted this beautiful timber-framed house to his fourth wife, Anne of Cleves, as part of her divorce settlement. Let your imagination take you back to the 16th century as you wander through the kitchen or gaze at the rafters in the high roof of the hall.
Collections: The Lewes Gallery tells the story of Lewes from the 15th century to modern times, the role of local resident Tom Paine, Lewes bonfire night traditions and the story of the Snowdrop Inn. Another gallery illustrates the important Wealden iron industry.
Bateman’s – National Trust
Burwash
Etchingham TN19 7DS
01435 882 302
www.nationaltrust.org.uk/batemans
Jacobean house, home of Rudyard Kipling: * Left just as he left it, reflecting the author’s exotic oriental tastes * Original illustrations for The Jungle Book, drawn by Detmold brothers * Delightful gardens run down to the River Dudwell and a working water mill.
Battle Abbey – English Heritage
Battle TN33 0AD
01424 773792
www.english-heritage.org.uk/battleabbey
Stand at the centre of the landscape where England’s future was fought. Imagine the battle as you follow in the footsteps of King Harold and William the Conqueror. Uncover the stories of the day, all vividly brought to life in the exhibition and audio tour. Start planning your attack on the country’s most famous battlefield and abbey ruins, and experience the atmosphere for yourself.
Battle Museum of Local History
The Almonry, High Street
Battle TN33 0EA
01424 775955
www.battlemuseum.co.uk
The Battle Museum was born from the preparations to celebrate the ‘Festival of Britain’ in 1951. From this ‘Battle District Historical Society’ was formed. Artefacts were given to the society who set up a small permanent museum in 1953. Various venues housed the museum until it moved to Langton House in 1965.
Bayham Old Abbey – English Heritage
Bayham Road (B2169), Little Bayham
Lamberhurst TN3 8DE
01892 890381
Enjoy a wonderful family day out and explore the impressive ruins of 13th century Bayham Old Abbey. A perfect picnic site with plenty of space for children play whilst adults relax and take in the romantic setting.
Bexhill Museum
Bexhill Museum, Egerton Road
Bexhill on Sea TN39 3HL
01424 787950
www.bexhillmuseum.co.uk
The Bexhill museum was started in 1914 by a small group of dedicated enthusiasts who specialised in natural history, archaeology and ethnography. It has since developed into a fascinating and comprehensive collection. Fossil dinosaur and teeth bones and foot prints are on display at the museum and new examples are still regularly being found in and around Bexhill.
Bluebell Railway
Sheffield Park Station, Sheffield Park
Nr Uckfield TN22 3QL
01825 720825
www.bluebell-railway.co.uk
Steam railway running for 9 miles From Sheffield Park to Kingscote in East and West Sussex. Over 30 steam locomotives with several in use each running day.
Bodiam Castle – National Trust
Bodiam
Nr Robertsbridge TN32 5UA
01580 830196
www.nationaltrust.org.uk/bodiam-castle
When you think of a castle, you think Bodiam. Built by Sir Edward Dalyngrigge in 1385, Bodiam is one of the most beautiful and iconic medieval castles left in Britain today.
Booth Museum of Natural History
194 Dyke Road
Brighton & Hove BN1 5AA
03000 290900
Over half a million specimens, natural history literature and data extending back over three centuries are housed in this fascinating museum, including hundreds of British birds displayed in recreated natural settings. Plus butterflies, skeletons, a whale and dinosaur bones.
Brede Steam Engine Society – Giants of Brede
Reg. Office 42 Chyngton Way
Seaford BN25 4JD
01323 897310
www.bredesteamgiants.co.uk
A collection of heritage water pumping engines dating from 1889 and extensively restored. They depict the development of pumping technology through the steam period and into the diesel and electrical eras.
Brighton Fishing Museum
201 King’s Road Arches
Brighton & Hove BN1 1NB
01273 723064
www.brightonfishingmuseum.org.uk
The main museum arch is the focal point of Brighton’s fishing quarter. It contains a 27ft beach boat, prints, photographs and memorabilia of Brighton seafront life from the Regency days to the post-war boom in pleasure boat operations.
Brighton Museum & Art Gallery
Royal Pavilion Gardens
Brighton & Hove BN1 1EE
03000 290900
www.brighton-hove-museums.org.uk
Brighton Museum & Art Gallery, with its rich and diverse collections, creates a vibrant cultural centre in and around the Royal Pavilion estate in the heart of the city of Brighton & Hove. Dynamic and innovative galleries provide greatly improved access to the museum’s nationally and locally important collections. Objects are displayed in stimulating contexts with a wide range of interpretative techniques, including interactive information technology.
Brighton Toy & Model Museum
52-55 Trafalgar Street
Brighton & Hove BN1 4EB
01273 749 494
www.brightontoymuseum.co.uk
Brighton Toy and Model Museum is a treasure trove of toys and models that extends over four thousand square feet of floorspace, through four of the Early Victorian arches supporting Brighton Railway Station’s forecourt. Founded in 1991, it has over ten thousand toys and models in its catalogue, including priceless model train collections and many period antique toys.
British Engineerium
Nevill Road
Brighton & Hove BN3 7QA
01273 554070
A beautifully restored working Victorian pumping station and museum of mechanical antiquities.
Charleston
Near Firle
Lewes BN8 6LL
01323 811265
‘It is not so much a house as a phenomenon’ Quentin Bell once said of Charleston. It was in 1916 that the phenomenon came into being, as Duncan Grant, Vanessa Bell and David Garnett made the move from Suffolk to Charleston, where Clive Bell and Maynard Keynes were also to be regular visitors.
Collections: Charleston is the only surviving complete example of the decorative work of Bell and Grant, with walls, doors and furniture painted in their exuberant style. The house shows an evolution in decorative style throughout its different rooms.
Ditchling Museum of Art & Craft
Lodge Hill Lane
Ditchling BN6 8SP
01273 844744
www.ditchlingmuseumartcraft.org.uk
The rich collection of art, craft, and applied art reflects the important place that Ditchling holds in the tradition of 20th century art and craft. Famous artists and craftsmen represented in the museum include Sir Frank Brangwyn, Ethel Mairet (weaver) and Edward Johnston (calligrapher). Unique collection of work from the arts and crafts community established by Eric Gill and Hilary Pepler.
Eastbourne & District (Family Roots) Family History Society
8 Park Lane
Eastbourne BN212 2UT
01323 502 432
Our aim is to promote and encourage the public study of family history and genealogy with particular reference to persons living in or associated with the Eastbourne area and the preservation, security and accessibility of archival material.
Eastbourne Heritage Centre
2 Carlisle Road
Eastbourne BN21 4BT
01323 411189
www.eastbourneheritagecentre.co.uk
The Eastbourne Heritage Centre is housed in a delightful Grade II Listed Victorian tower house, 2 Carlisle Road Eastbourne. It was fomerly the residence of the Devonshire Park and Baths Manager.
Firle Place
Firle
Lewes BN8 6LP
01273 858307
Firle Place, set in an ancient park, has been the home of the Gage family for over 500 years. The estate is now owned by the 7th Viscount Gage.
Grange, The
The Green, Rottingdean
Brighton & Hove BN2 7HA
01273 301004
The Grange Museum has a wide range of exhibitions and displays of interest to all ages. Old Rottingdean is captured in the large collection of photographs showing how the village has changed over time.
Great Dixter
Northiam
Rye TN31 6PH
01797 252878
www.greatdixter.co.uk
Great Dixter is the family home of Christopher Lloyd, who devoted his lifetime to creating one of the most experimental, exciting and constantly changing gardens of our time. Incorporating many medieval buildings, the gardens surround the house, each complementing the other. There is a wide variety of interest from yew topiary, carpets of meadow flowers, the colourful tapestry of mixed borders (including the famous Long Border), natural ponds, a formal pool and the exuberant Exotic Garden.
Hastings & Rother Family History Society
355 Bexhill Road
St Leonards on Sea TN38 8AJ
01424 437493
The society was formed in 1986 to encourage the study and research of family history in Hastings and Rother.
Hastings Fishermen’s Museum
Rock-a-Nore Road
Hastings TN34 3DW
01424 461446
www.hastingsfish.co.uk/museum.htm
The Hastings Fishermen’s Museum is one of the biggest attractions in Hastings. Over 140,000 people come through the doors every year to see the many photographs, paintings and historic objects – and to climb aboard the last of the local sailing luggers, built in 1912.
Hastings Museum & Art Gallery
Johns Place, Bohemia Road
Hastings TN34 1ET
01424 451052
www.hmag.org.uk
Hastings Museum contains a rich and varied mixture of local history, Sussex pottery, paintings, dinosaurs and British wildlife. There are displays on local personalities such as Grey Owl, John Logie Baird and Robert Tressell, and on seaside holidays, Mods and Rockers and Native Americans.
Hastings Old Town Hall Museum of Local History
High Street, Old Town
Hastings TN34 3EW
01424 781166
www.hmag.org.uk
The Old Town Hall Museum provides an introduction to the history of the Old Town of Hastings. The museum reopened in 1999 following a major refurbishment project supported by the Heritage Lottery Fund.
Hove Museum & Art Gallery
19 New Church Road
Brighton & Hove BN3 4AB
03000 290900
Permanent collections of toys, film, local history, paintings and contemporary craft. The collections of decorative arts include the Regency furniture and silver-gilt displayed in the Royal Pavilion, the Macquoid furniture at Preston Manor, the Willett Collection of ceramics illustrating popular history, and outstanding holdings of British and European 20th century decorative design and craft.
Hurstpierpoint Museum
Village Centre, Trinity Road
Hurstpierpoint, Hassocks BN6 9UY
07985 201335
www.sussexmuseums.co.uk/find/museum.asp%3FID%3D11
Hurstpierpoint Museum consists of two unmanned display cabinets in the foyer of the Hurstpierpoint Village centre, Trinity Road, Hurstpierpoint. Themed displays, usually with a local connection, in the large free standing cabinet are changed about four times a year, and that in the wall mounted cabinet to the left of the main display is of a more permanent nature.
Keep, The (East Sussex Record Office)
Woollards Way
Brighton BN1 9BP
01273 482349
The Keep is a world-class centre for archives that opens up access to all the archive collections of the East Sussex Record Office (ESRO), the Royal Pavilion & Museums and the internationally significant University of Sussex Special Collections. It is also a centre of excellence for conservation and preservation and represents the new generation of archive buildings in the UK.
Lamb House – National Trust
West Street
Rye TN31 7ES
01797 229 542
www.nationaltrust.org.uk/lamb-house
Fine brick-fronted house with literary associations: * House dates from 18th century * Home to writer Henry James from 1898-1916 * Later home of authors EF Benson and Rumer Godden * Some of James’s personal possessions on display * Charming walled garden.
Lewes Castle & Barbican House Museum
Barbican House, 169 High Street
Lewes BN7 1YE
01273 486290
www.sussexpast.co.uk
Lewes Castle is one of the oldest castles in England, built soon after the Norman Conquest of 1066. Over the years it was extended and altered and its high keep and towers still dominate the town. Barbican House Museum, which stands opposite the castle, tells the story of Sussex from the Stone Age to the end of the medieval period. Displays include stone axes, Roman pottery and beautiful Saxon jewellery.
Lewes Priory of St Pancras
Cockshut Road Southover
Lewes BN7 1HP
01273 812296
Founded in the 11th century by the Norman nobleman William de Warenne and his wife Gundrada, the Priory of St Pancras was the largest monastic establishment of its day. It was demolished at the Dissolution but is still one of the most important heritage sites in Sussex.
Long Man of Wilmington
Windover Hill
Wilmington
01273 487188
www.sussexpast.co.uk
The Long Man of Wilmington, mysterious guardian of the South Downs, has baffled archaeologists and historians for hundreds of years.
Michelham Priory
Upper Dicker
Hailsham BN27 3QS
01323 844224
www.sussexpast.co.uk
Michelham Priory is an historic house, gardens, forge and watermill with 800 years of history and the longest water filled moat in England. The museum explores rural life in Sussex as a Medieval religious house, through the Tudor period and into the 20th century.
Mill Toy & Pedal Car Museum, The
The Mill, Station Road
Northiam TN31 6QT
01797 253803
The Mill was built between 1900 and 1910 and operated for many years as a gas powered flour mill, 100 years later the building has been lovingly restored and converted into a toy and pedal car museum which is widely considered the largest and finest collection of pedal cars in Europe. With exhibits dating from Victorian times, visitors of all ages will enjoy a trip down memory lane as a world in miniature awaits discovery.
Monk’s House – National Trust
The Street, Rodmell
near Lewes BN7 3HF
01273 474760
www.nationaltrust.org.uk/monks-house
Country retreat of the novelist Virginia Woolf. This small weather-boarded house was the home of Leonard and Virginia Woolf until Leonard’s death in 1969.
Museum of the Royal National Lifeboat Institution
King Edward Parade
Eastbourne BN21 4BY
01323 730717
Housed in the 1898 RNLI William Terris Memorial Boathouse, King Edwards Parade, at the western end of Eastbourne Seafront. The boathouse was built from public donations collected by the Daily Telegraph, to commemorate the life of the well known actor, William Terriss, who was assassinated outside the Adelphi Theatre in 1897. The museum, completely refurbished in November 2011, houses collections and displays showing the history of the Eastbourne lifeboats since 1822, when the first lifeboat came on the scene at Eastbourne. It was given by the well known local eccentric John ‘Mad Jack’ Fuller. The lifeboat variously known as ‘samaritan’ or ‘The Rose’ served until 1863. Various lifeboats served in this boathouse until 1924, when the retiring lifeboat ‘James Stevens N06″ was placed within as an exhibition piece. In 1936 it was sold to a local fishing family and became a beach pleasure boat. In 1937 the boathouse became the first RNLI museum in the country. After the war a souvenir shop was incorporated which has now become one of the top performing outlets selling gifts and souvenirs in support of the RNLI. Whilst in the museum read about ‘The ‘New Brunswick’ service in 1833 when due to storms, the lifeboat had to be towed by relays of horses to Birling Gap, some 8 miles away, before it could be launched. The’ Jane Holland’ at Dunkirk.
Musgrave Collection, The
77 Seaside Road
Eastbourne BN22 3PL
01323 648106
www.musgravemuseum.co.uk
The Musgrave Collection is a small, independent museum and art gallery dedicated to the works and the collections of George Musgrave. It comprises hundreds of paintings, mini-sculptures, Roman and British coin collections, newspapers from the era of the Battle of Trafalgar, a diorama depicting the changing seasons, cabinets depicting the evolution of writing systems and visuaal aids, ancient Egyptian artefacts and Victoriana.
Newhaven Fort
Fort Road
Newhaven BN9 9DS
01273 517 622
Newhaven Fort is an award winning attraction and a fine example of an English fortification, Newhaven Fort has the sights and sounds of the past, offering a truly unforgettable day out for the whole family. Newhaven Fort’s on-site military museum demonstates its role through the First and Second World Wars, offering exciting glimpses into England’s dramatic wartime past.
Newhaven Local & Maritime Museum
Paradise Family Leisure Park, Avis Road
Newhaven BN9 0NY
01273 612530
www.newhavenhistoricalsociety.org.uk
A vast collection of photographs of local people / events/ places. Family history records (census, school records, port workers etc).
Observatory Science Centre, The
Wartling Road, Herstmonceux
Hailsham BN27 1RN
01323 832731
The Observatory Science Centre is one of the UK’s leading science centres. Explore science, space and astronomy with over 100 exhibits, both inside and out, amongst the domes and telescopes of a world-famous astronomical observatory.
Old Courtroom, The
118 Church Street (side entrance)
Brighton BN1 1UD
03000 290900
www.brighton-hove-museums.org.uk
This historic Victorian building, situated just opposite the Royal Pavilion estate in the heart of Brighton’s cultural quarter, was used as a County Court until 1967. It has been fully refurbished, retaining many original features, and is now available for day and evening hire for all kinds of functions.
Old Police Cells Museum, The
Brighton Town Hall, Bartholomews
Brighton BN1 1JA
www.oldpolicecellsmuseum.org.uk
The Old Police Cells Museum is housed in the basement of Brighton Town Hall and offers visitors a unique insight into the history of policing in Sussex and is both educational and entertaining. It provides an opportunity to visit Brighton Borough main police station for the period 1830 to 1967 and learn about the murder of Chief Constable Henry Solomon in 1844 by a prisoner. See some of the old cells with their graffiti from the Mods and Rockers era, the policemen’s wash room and uniform store areas, police memorabilia and artefacts. The museum also houses a unique collection of truncheons and tipstaves, one of the largest in the country.
Pevensey Castle – English Heritage
Pevensey Castle
Pevensey BN24 5LE
01323 762604
Pevensey Castle is a great family day out in East Sussex, encompassing rich history and fun things to do and see for adults and children. With a history stretching back over 16 centuries, Pevensey Castle chronicles more graphically than any other fortress the story of Britain’s south coast defences. Beginning in the 4th century as one of the last and strongest of the Roman ‘saxon Shore’ forts, two-thirds of whose towered walls still stand.
Planet Earth & Dinosaur Museum
Paradise Park, Avis Road
Newhaven BN9 0DH
01273 512123
This is the extraordinary life story of our planet from its earliest beginnings. The exhibition is one of the finest of its type in the country and is home to a unique collection of fossils and minerals.
Polegate Windmill
Polegate BN26 5LB
www.sussexmillsgroup.org.uk/pole1.htm
An early method of grinding grain into meal was by using the rotary quern, and a working example can be seen at Polegate Mill.
Preston Manor
Preston Drove
Brighton & Hove BN1 6SD
03000 290900
Delightful Manor House, powerfully evoking the atmosphere of an Edwardian gentry home both ‘Upstairs’ and ‘Downstairs’. Explore over twenty rooms on four floors, from the superbly renovated servants’ quarters in the basement to the attic bedrooms on the top floor.
Redoubt Fortress & Military Museum
Royal Parade
Eastbourne BN22 7AQ
01323 410300
www.eastbournemuseums.co.uk
For nearly 200 years, the Redoubt Fortress has defended the Eastbourne coast. Formerly a barracks and store depot, it formed part of the chain of Martello Towers which stretched from Folkestone to Seaford. Today this magnificent building provides the perfect setting for the largest military museum on the south coast.
Collections: The museum consists of several collections, primarily those of two distinguished regiments of the British Army, The Royal Sussex Regiment and The Queen’s Royal Irish Hussars. The other major collection is that of the Sussex Combined Services Museum, which records all military ties with the county.
Regency Town House, The
13 Brunswick Square
Brighton & Hove BN3 1EH
01273 206 306
www.rth.org.uk
The Regency Town House is a Grade 1 listed, 5 storey town house, built in the 1820s. It is currently under restoration and once complete will be open on a daily basis as a museum and heritage centre.
Collections: Our archive focuses mainly on Brunswick Town and the greater area of Brighton & Hove between 1790 – 1840. It includes a number or books, prints, plans and drawings from this area and includes a number of works by the architect Charles Augustin Busby.
Robertsbridge Aviation Society
Bush Barn
Robertsbridge TN32 5PA
01424 773428
Robertsbridge Aviation Society founded their collection in 1973. Exhibits cover civil and military aviation, particularly World War II.
Royal Pavilion
4-5 Pavilion Buildings
Brighton & Hove BN1 1EE
03000 290900
www.brightonmuseums.org.uk/royalpavilion
Experience the extraordinary at the Royal Pavilion, an exotic palace in the centre of Brighton. Built as a seaside pleasure palace for George IV, this historic house mixes Regency grandeur with the visual style of India and China. The Royal Pavilion’s lavish interiors combine Chinese-style decorations with magnificent furniture and furnishings.
Rye Castle Museum
Gungarden
Rye TN31 7HH
01797 226728
www.ryemuseum.co.uk
Rye Castle Museum has two sites: the Ypres Tower and East Street. The Ypres Tower is one of the oldest buildings in Rye, being built in 1249 as part of the town’s defences.
Rye Heritage Centre
Strand Quay
Rye TN31 7AY
01797 226696
www.ryeheritage.co.uk
The Rye Heritage Centre provides an ideal introduction to the town bringing together the Story of Rye set within the Rye Town Model, Audio Walking Tours of Rye including Ghost Walks in the restored Old Sail Loft building.
Screen Archive South East
University of Brighton, Grand Parade
Brighton & Hove BN2 0JY
01273 643213
www.brighton.ac.uk/screenarchive
Screen Archive South East is a public sector moving image archive serving the South East of England. Established in 1992 at the University of Brighton, this regional archive locates, collects, preserves, provides access to and promotes screen material related to the South East and of general relevance to moving image history.
Seaford Museum & Heritage Society
P.O. Box 2132, The Esplanade, BN25 9BH
Seaford BN25 1JH
01323-898222
www.seafordmuseum.co.uk
Seaford Museum is housed in Martello Tower no. 74, which is situated at the eastern end of Seaford seafront.
Collections: Contains records of Seaford’s history from its days as a Cinque Port and has many displays including shops, tableaux, collections of domestic appliances and office machinery and a particularly large collection of radios and television sets. The museum has a reference archives of pictures, articles etc.
Shipwreck Museum
Rock-a-Nore Road
Hastings TN34 3DW
01424 437452
The Shipwreck Heritage Centre, opened in 1986, is acknowledged as one of the best of its kind in the United Kingdom. It contains an interesting and varied collection of artefacts from several wrecks, and has on display a unique collection of wooden rudders from the 15th to 18th Centuries.
Stanmer Rural Museum
Stanmer Park
Brighton & Hove BN1 9SE
01273 509563
The Stanmer Rural Museum displays an amazing variety of rural artefacts, with a reconstructed blacksmith’s forge, one of the last remaining horse traves and all sorts of agricultural working and craft equipment. You can also visit the nearby donkey wheel house, where water was drawn to supply the village. Location: Behind Stanmer House.
Sussex Archaeological Society
Bull House, 92 High Street
Lewes BN7 1XH
Sussex Past – Historical experiences and family days out in Sussex
We are a registered charity whose charitable aims are to enable people to enjoy, learn about and have access to the heritage of Sussex. We do this by opening six historic sites in Sussex to visitors old and young, providing research facilities in our library, running excavations, providing a finds identification service and offering a variety of walks, talks and conferences on the archaeology and history of Sussex.
Sussex Farm Museum
Horam Manor
Horam, Heathfield TN21 0JB
01435 813352
www.horammanorfarm.co.uk
Sussex Farm Museum at Horam manor is not just a collection of agricultural items, but is representative of all aspects of farming life over the last 100 years. Around the farmyard are carts, ploughs and other machinery; the large drying barn (an interesting building in itself) houses iron and brick items and a stagecoach. The main barn is divided into farmhouse room settings plus cabinets showing hobbies, toys, medicines, wartime relics and much more.
Towner
Devonshire Park, College Road
Eastbourne BN21 4JJ
01323 434660
Towner is the award-winning contemporary art museum for South East England. We present major exhibitions of UK and international contemporary art – and as a museum, we also have a nationally significant collection of art from across the ages.
Collections: An internationally renowned collection of around 4000 historical, modern and contemporary works. the Towner Collection is best known for its modern British art.
West Blatchington Windmill
Holmes Avenue
Brighton & Hove BN3 7LE
01273 776017
www.sussexmillsgroup.org.uk/blatchington.htm
West Blatchington Windmill was built circa 1820 on a tall flint and brick tower to which abutted barns on the north, south and west side. It was beautifully illustrated by John Constable in a watercolour dated 5th November 1825. The design is of the style known as a ‘smock’ mill due to the resemblance in silhouette to the garment worn by the millers and shepherds of that period.
West Pier Trust, The
Kings Road
Brighton & Hove BN1 2FL
01273 321 499
www.westpier.co.uk
Brighton’s West Pier, opened in 1866, is England’s finest seaside pier and the only one to be Grade I listed. Although closed since 1975 and ravaged by the elements, it has survived as a magical and enduring part of seaside England and an essential feature of the Brighton seafront.
Whitehawk Primary School Air-raid Shelter
Whitehawk Road
Whitehawk BN2 5FL
01273 681377
www.culture24.org.uk/am22934
An air-raid shelter sited inside school grounds. Benches, lighting and an exhibition of artefacts and transcripts available for visits from schools and other groups.
Collections: Artefacts from WW2. Gas masks, old toilets, manufactured objects and old wrappings found in the shelter when re-opened.
Winchelsea Museum
Court Hall, High Street
Winchelsea TN36 4EA
01797 229 525
www.winchelsea.com/museum.html
Inside the Court Hall museum, displays illustrate the history of the Antient Town, since it was built by Edward I as a medieval ‘New Town’ over 700 years ago, and about Winchelsea’s position as Head Port of the Confederation of Cinque Ports. The Court Hall is certainly one of the oldest buildings in the town.