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Lewes tourist information centre
The Lewes tourist information centre team recently moved out of 187 High Street, to 6 High Street, Lewes. This is due to planned structural works. Find out more here: Planned works at 187 High Street and 2 Fisher Street, Lewes
6 High Street Lewes East Sussex BN7 2AD Tel: 01273 483448
Opening Hours:
Monday to Friday: 9am to 5pm
Disclaimer: this map may not be accessible to some users. View 6 High Street in Google Maps instead.
Seaford tourist information centre
37 Church Street Seaford East Sussex BN25 1HG Tel: 01323 897426
Monday to Friday: 9am to 4pm Weekends and Bank Holidays: closed
Eastbourne tourist information centre
Eastbourne Visitor Centre Welcome Building Compton Street Eastbourne East Sussex BN21 4BP Tel: 01323 415415
The new Visitor Centre at the Welcome Building is now open seven days a week offering ticket sales for theatres, the bandstand, events, bus tickets, National Express and souvenirs.
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Visiting Lewes
By Betsy Reamer, Executive Director, Lewes Chamber of Commerce Photos by Kevin Fleming
Known as the “First Town in the First State,” Lewes is proud of its historic and nautical heritage. When you visit our town you’ll see why the Dutch seamen who landed here in 1631 established the first settlement.
Lewes is ideally situated for visitors who love the water, because we’re located where the Delaware Bay meets the Atlantic Ocean (Cape Henlopen). Our location provides both bay and ocean beaches for swimming. The Lewes–Rehoboth Canal, which winds past the commercial district, allows for easy access to either the bay or the ocean for anglers.
Docking facilities for pleasure boats are conveniently located within walking distance of the nearby restaurants, shops, and lodging facilities. Commercial “head boats,” charter boats, and a boat launching ramp are also available.
For visitors who prefer to get in touch with our natural resources, one of our greatest assets is the proximity to Cape Henlopen State Park.
The park area encompasses over 5,000 acres of natural beauty including spectacular bay and ocean vistas, a unique saltwater lagoon (Gordons Pond), and the Great Dune which rises 80 feet above sea level. A two-mile paved trail recently was added for walkers, runners, cyclists, and skaters.
In addition to the recreational opportunities for visitors and residents, Lewes has many homes and buildings of historical and architectural interest. Within a half-mile of the commercial district, you can see numerous restored homes dating back to the 18th and 19th centuries.
One 17th-century home is documented to be Delaware’s oldest standing building. The Historical Society established and maintains a complex of historic homes moved from their original locations and restored. Please refer to the map on this website.
In 2006, Lewes was the recipient of two prestigious national designations recognizing Lewes’ historic and cultural significance. The National Trust for Historic Preservation selected Lewes as one of its Dozen Distinctive Destinations and Mrs. Laura Bush, First Lady of the United States and Honorary Chair of Preserve America, named Lewes a Preserve America Community. Coastal Living magazine’s article “Discover Coastal Dream Towns,” referred to Lewes as “A Sleeper by the Bay.” In 2011, Delaware Today magazine ranked Lewes as the #1 Best Place to Live in Delaware.
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You are here: Places To Visit > Lewes
Tel: 01273 483448
At the heart of rural Sussex lies the beautiful county town of Lewes - a mixture of the unusual and intriguing and so typically Sussex.
Its medieval streets, old English churches and tiny twittens (a Sussex word for alleyway) allow visitors a glimpse into the true essence of bygone Lewes. Although surrounded by chalk cliffs, the townscape is dominated by the remains of a Norman castle and is also home to the handsome townhouse of Anne of Cleves (fourth wife of King Henry Vlll). Lewes also claims host to numerous contemporary art galleries and historic & special interest sites including the once mighty Priory of St. Pancras - a casualty of the dissolution of the monasteries.
Lewes is a market town of small, specialist, independent retailers and on certain days, the subtle aromas wafting from Harvey’s Brewery will attract any visitor to Cliffe High Street. Bookshops, boutiques and antique centres sit alongside individual craft workshops, and the restaurants, cafes, and pubs offer delicious choices all year round with real emphasis on local produce.
Things to do near Lewes
A short drive from Lewes reveals an abundance of tourist attractions making the town of Lewes an attractive base for a short break.
- Lewes Castle, nearly 1,000 years old, this castle offers fantastic views of the medieval streets below.
- Continuing the views theme, Ditchling Beacon is the highest point in East Sussex and the perfect landmark to take in the South Downs area of Lewes.
- Take a family day out at Drusillas Park , widely known as the best small zoo in Europe, less than 10 miles from Lewes.
- Take a trip into Eastbourne just 15 miles from Lewes to enjoy time by the sea.
- Established as a charity over 50 years ago with over 100 members, The Sussex Guild Shop & Gallery are a group of local professional designers and makers of fine, contemporary and traditional craftwork - the shop can be found on the high street.
- Plumpton Racecourse is one of the smallest in the country and therefore offers great views across the whole course in its 16 racedays between September and May.
Find out what's happening this weekend near Lewes in our Sussex events guide or explore the local area in the towns and villages near Lewes using the 'what's nearby' section below.
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Experience Old Coastal Charm in Lewes
Situated where the Delaware Bay and the Atlantic Ocean meet, the seafaring town of Lewes holds its reputation as not only the first town of the nation’s first state but a first-rate place to take in the best of what southern Delaware has to offer. From maritime heritage to fresh, local seafood, and one-of-a-kind sea sights, Lewes provides a breathtaking memorable vacation experience while staying true to its quaint village charm.
Historical Attractions in Lewes
A trip to Lewes wouldn’t be complete without discovering the town’s 400 years of storied history. Visit the Lewes Historical Society grounds and experience one of their historical tours—on foot or via the water—to discover downtown attractions including lighthouses, monuments, cemeteries and more. While in town, visit the Zwaandendael Museum for a unique look at Lewes through the lens of Delaware’s first European settlers, and the role the town played in the War of 1812. Experience the vast history of southern Delaware through artifacts as well as exhibits featuring shipwrecks and lighthouses. Then head out of town to Cape Henlopen State Park for hiking, picnicking and more history from WWII at Fort Miles.
Traveling to and from Lewes
From the dunes in the State Park, if you time it right, you’ll see the Cape May-Lewes Ferry sailing to and from Cape May, N.J., as part of daily crossings connecting south New Jersey to southern Delaware. Passengers pass the ferry terminal on the way into Lewes and should stop in for a closer view of both the ferries docking and, for special times of the summer, Delaware’s tall ship, the Kalmar Nyckel.
Dining in Lewes
Lewes is home to a wide array of top coastal dining restaurants serving straight-from-the-bay bounty. Once you’ve worked up an appetite, dine alfresco at Lewes’ only dockside restaurant. Learn how to crack fresh blue crabs like a local or bring them back to your home or rental for a backyard crab feast. Elegant, sit-down dining awaits in the heart of Historic Lewes.
Shopping in Lewes
All of Delaware is tax-free, including the local boutique shops in downtown Lewes where you’ll find one-of-a-kind items and charming gifts with a coastal flair. There are also more than 500 antique dealers in the southern Delaware region, where you can find unique treasures and take home some history to remind you of your great trip.
Whether you’re visiting for a relaxing family getaway or an adventurous escape, Lewes warmly welcomes any type of traveler. Start planning your itinerary now or explore as you go. Either way, Lewes is sure to satisfy whatever vacation bliss you are seeking.
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Home » Travel Guides » United Kingdom » England » 15 Best Things to Do in Lewes (East Sussex, England)
15 Best Things to Do in Lewes (East Sussex, England)
The neat and well-to-do town of Lewes is embedded in a gap in the South Down in East Sussex.
Lewes’ Medieval streets are set off beautifully by the neighbouring green hillsides, and poking around the town you’ll come by independent galleries, artist studios and lots of shops you won’t find anywhere else.
For a town of its modest size, Lewes packs a cultural wallop.
The Bloomsbury Group laid down roots near Lewes at Charleston, home of Vanessa Bell and Duncan Grant, while Virginia Woolf wrote several books at her summer retreat, Monk’s Cottage.
Add to that mix Glyndebourne, the world-famous opera hall, just moments away by car.
Let’s explore the best things to do in Lewes :
1. Charleston
The artist couple Vanessa Bell and Duncan Grant picked this large farmhouse in the village of Firle as their country home in 1916. Over the next 50 years the house would be a meeting place for the Bloomsbury group, a set of forward-thinking artists, writers and intellectuals made up of the likes of Virginia Woolf and T. S. Eliot.
Bell and Grant were two of the leading English painters in the first half of the 20th century and Charleston is prized for the decoration they applied to the walls, fittings and furniture.
The house and its bedrooms, kitchen, dining room and studio has been frozen in time, and is embellished by decorative art from the Bloomsbury Group’s own Omega Workshops.
There’s also a tremendous art collection with paintings by Delacroix, Picasso, Renoir, Derain and more.
The gallery at Charleston puts on short-term exhibitions by well-known contemporary artists, while the walled garden has been restored after becoming overgrown after WWII.
2. Lewes Castle
A Norman motte-and-bailey stronghold, Lewes Castle was built within three years of the Battle of Hastings (1066), and for most of the Medieval period was controlled by the Earls of Surrey, descendants of the nobleman William de Warenne who fought at the battle.
The castle was reinforced throughout that time but the precipitous mound is a Norman holdover.
Made from chalk blocks this is a challenge to climb even today.
But your efforts will be paid off by dreamy vistas of Lewes, the South Downs and the gleaming chalk cliff at Cliffe Hill.
At the foot of the mound is the barbican, which can also be scaled and is considered one of the best of its kind surviving in England.
3. Cliffe High Street
You may not find a lovelier high street in England than this east-to-west artery through the centre of Lewes.
Cliffe High Street is on a bit of a slope, with a pedestrianised section at the top and a few narrow lanes and passages disappearing off to the sides.
On this upper stretch there are views of the South Downs to stop you in your tracks, as well as a farmers’ market on the first and third Saturdays of the month.
The street is flanked by period houses; some flat-fronted Georgian townhouses and more than few slate-clad buildings with gables and dormers.
On a sunny morning you could visit for a cup of coffee at one of the terraces to watch the sun climb over the downs to the east.
4. Glyndebourne
The landowner John Christie was a music aficionado, and after moving into the late-Medieval house at Glyndebourne began to host opera evenings in the inter-war years.
This eventually led to a theatre being built on the grounds, upgraded in 1992 to a modern performance venue that can seat 1,200. The Glyndebourne Festival took off in the wake of the Second World War and now has international fame.
There are six productions per season, and something special about each performance, other than its superlative quality, is the 80-minute interval.
This is purposely extended to allow you to take a picnic on Glyndebourne’s lawn.
If you have tickets to a show you’re invited to arrive early to tour the splendid garden and view the Stalls Gallery where there’s a new art exhibition each summer.
5. South Downs
Lewes rests in a stunning gap in the South Downs, a range of chalk hills in southeast of England roughly from Winchester to Eastbourne.
This region became the UK’s newest national park in 2011 and is threaded by a National Trail.
The route passes close by Lewes and you could walk a section to the little village of Southease, downriver on the Ouse, and crossing the scenic Blackcap Hill on the way.
The 146-metre Mount Caburn, meanwhile, is only a mile out of Lewes and 2,500 years ago was crested by an Iron Age hillfort.
There’s a breathtaking view of Lewes from the top, while the hill’s grassland is treasured for its wildflowers, comprising the largest number of burnt-tip orchids in one place.
6. Lewes Priory
In a park at the head of the Ouse Valley in the south of Lewes you can investigate the Grade I-listed ruins of Lewes’ Priory of St Pancras.
This was a Cluniac priory, the first Cluniac house in England, founded around 1081. Nearly everything you see is from that time and the century that followed.
It pays to remember that this site has been heavily quarried since the priory was shut down in 1537 in Henry VIII’s Dissolution of the Monasteries.
The church was among the largest monastic churches in the country, and you can make out traces of its southwest tower and its wall arcading.
Other fragments include the precinct wall, two dorters (dormitories) and the hospitium (hospice).
7. Southover Grange
There’s a spellbinding Elizabethan house within seconds of Lewes Station.
Southover Grange was built in the 1570s using ashlar stone from the recently dissolved Lewes Priory.
A private home for centuries, Southover Grange was visited by the Prince Regent in the 1790s when he came for the Lewes Races.
The house is now home to Lewes’ Register Office and can be hired out for weddings.
Framed by this stunning building the formal gardens are free to enter and are a joy for their vibrant borders, fastidiously tended lawns, boxwood hedges, roses and mature trees.
The future Queen Elizabeth II planted a tree here in 1951, while the venerable mulberry is particularly beautiful.
The house is closed for regular visitors but there’s a tearoom serving tea and cakes with old-fashioned china.
8. Monk’s House
In the village of Rodmell, three miles south of Lewes is the 17th-century weatherboard cottage owned by Virginia Woolf and her husband Leonard as a country retreat.
They purchased Monk’s House in 1919 and while staying here entertained luminaries from the Bloomsbury Group like E. M. Forster, T. S. Eliot, Lytton Strachey and Roger Fry.
Monk’s House has been in the care of the National Trust since 1980, and a treat for any fans of Woolf’s work is the weatherboard writing lodge at the bottom of the garden where she wrote a series of works including Jacob’s Room, Mrs Dalloway, To the Lighthouse, Orlando and several more.
After she died, Leonard buried her ashes under an elm in the garden.
Virginia painted the interior walls herself in green, pomegranate, blue and yellow.
The very intimate collection of photographs documenting the comings and goings at the cottage, known as the Monk’s House Album was recently published online.
9. Barbican House Museum
Included in the same ticket as the castle is a museum in the Barbican House at the entrance to the site.
The official name for this attraction is the Museum of Sussex Archaeology and there’s a spectrum of artefacts to view from the Stone Age to Medieval times.
Among the finds are flint tools, pieces of pottery, jewellery and weapons, while there’s a mini-cinema screening a well-made film about Lewes’ progress through the ages.
There are regular family workshops on archaeology during the school holidays, and downstairs is a well-stocked archaeology bookshop.
10. Anne of Cleves House
The Sussex Archaeological Society also owns and operates a museum at the timber-framed Wealden hall house once owned by Henry VIII’s fourth wife, Anne of Cleves.
The house was raised in the 1400s, and although it was part of her annulment settlement the Queen never actually lived here.
At any rate the building is a spectacular example of vernacular Medieval architecture and the museum inside is compelling.
The galleries deal with Sussex trades in times past, like the iron-making industry, represented by a hammer from the forge in Etchingham.
The house’s kitchen and bedroom are recreated in the Tudor style of Anne’s day, and the garden has species and planting schemes also common in the 16th-century.
11. Railway Land Nature Reserve
Off Cliffe High Street and behind Lewes Railway Station you’ll suddenly find yourself in a clear natural space.
This is the Railway Land Nature Reserve, looked after by a charitable trust and found on the site of a former railway marshalling yard.
Where there used to a tangle of railway sidings there are now four different types of water environment.
These are: Floodplain grassland sprinkled with wildflowers in summer, ponds abounding with fish and newts, reed beds inhabited by reed warblers in summer and wet woodland.
This last space is on the site of a lost Victorian estate, and still has some exotic species from its park like a swamp cypress and holm oak.
12. Bentley Wildfowl & Motor Museum
A day out that should suit different members of the family, this museum combines classic cars with a wildfowl collection in opulent formal gardens.
The motor museum covers a century of road transport with some beguiling exhibits like a Chevrolet Corvette (C3), a BMW 315-1 Sports Roadster, a Frazer Nash Mille Miglia and a genuine Delorean.
The avian collection is made up of 1,000 birds from 130 species across the planet, including the stunning Spectacled Eider Duck, Wandering Whistling Duck and Indian Runner.
Little ones can climb aboard the miniature railway, and the South Downs Pantry prepares both full meals and teatime treats.
Added to all that is a craft barn, leased to local artists and crafts people, and selling a range of paintings, sculptures, wooden toys, accessories, homewares and wooden toys.
13. Needlemakers
This historic factory once manufactured candles and then switched to hypodermic needles during the First World War.
Today the brick building in the town centre on West Street has been taken over by a set of one-of-a-kind shops and craft studios.
There’s a seamstress, hairdresser, a design shop, book and art shop, a quirky card and gift store, as well as a craft goldsmith and vintage furniture dealers.
On your shopping trip you can take a detour to the Back Yard Cafe, which has original brick floors and a beamed ceiling, serving quiches, tarts, soups and homemade cakes.
14. Raystede Centre for Animal Welfare
Founded as an animal charity in 1952 by M. Raymonde Hawkins, Raystede Centre for Animal Welfare is a sanctuary for hundreds of different species.
Nearly all the animals at the centre have been rescued or donated from homes and zoos.
You’ll meet tortoises, ponies, alpacas, horses, donkeys, goats, rabbits, parakeets and a wealth of other exotic birds.
The centre is in idyllic countryside on the shores of a series of ponds, and has an adventure playground for youngsters.
At the end of your visit there’s a shop for the charity, and a cafe with tasty vegan and vegetarian options.
15. Harvey’s Brewery
Established in 1790, Harvey’s Brewery makes traditional English cask ales that are sold across the South East of England.
You can take a tour here, at the oldest independent brewery in Sussex, for an experience deeper than you’d get at other breweries.
First of all, this takes place outside the working day, and goes into such depth that you can spend up to three hours chatting with master brewers and learning the intricacies of malting barley and brewing ale.
The business is now in the eighth generation of the same family, and also operates as a wine merchant, importing bottles from all over the world.
Call in at the brewery shop on Cliffe High Street for Harvey’s selection of ales and wines, as well as some rare spirits.
15 Best Things to Do in Lewes (East Sussex, England):
- Lewes Castle
- Cliffe High Street
- Glyndebourne
- South Downs
- Lewes Priory
- Southover Grange
- Monk's House
- Barbican House Museum
- Anne of Cleves House
- Railway Land Nature Reserve
- Bentley Wildfowl & Motor Museum
- Needlemakers
- Raystede Centre for Animal Welfare
- Harvey's Brewery
Home > Places to Visit > Lewes > Things To Do in Lewes
Things To Do in Lewes
Enjoy a wonderful day out in the county town of East Sussex and explore some of the suggested things to do in Lewes below.
You can quite easily spend a day exploring all that Lewes has to offer, from wandering the pretty streets, visiting the gardens and enjoying some heritage and history at the Castle and Anne of Cleves House. In November, Lewes is well-known for its must-see bonfire night celebrations which attracts a large number of people.
Lewes is also just a short hop away from Brighton and is also situated right near the South Downs Way , where you can enjoy panoramic views from Ditchling Beacon .
Visit Anne of Cleves House
Just a short walk from the Priory, Anne of Cleves House is a building steeped with history. There is also a museum, see how it’s decorated and really imagine how the Tudor’s lived! The building was part of Anne of Cleves divorce settlement, although it is thought she didn’t actually visit the property.
Address: Southover High St, Lewes
Visit Lewes Castle
Lewes Castle is a Norman castle and is a motte and bailey style castle but unusually with two mottes. You can climb up to the top of the castle and enjoy the views across Lewes and surrounding areas. As well as the castle, you can visit the Museum of Sussex Archaeology which has some local collections from prehistoric to the present day. No dogs are allowed except assistance dogs. You can also visit the Museum of Sussex Archaeology next door to the castle which displays local collections from the prehistoric to the present day.
Wander around Southover Grange Gardens
Southover Grange Gardens is one not to be missed! It’s set just a stone’s throw from Anne of Cleve’s house and if you visit in Spring you can enjoy the tulip and flower displays! It’s a great place to sit down, relax, enjoy some lunch and a lovely peaceful area.
Address: Southover Rd, Lewes
Discover the history of Lewes Priory
Lewes Priory, otherwise known as The Priory of St.Pancras, is set in Priory Park and is just a short walk from the train station. Priory Park itself is a lovely spot to sit and enjoy lunch and there is also a playground for children here. The Priory was the first Clunic priory in England and was founded between 1078 and 1082 by William and Gundrada de Warenne who also build Lewes Castle. The Priory was one of the largest and wealthiest monasteries in England and you can see what the Priory would have looked like on the information boards surrounding the ruins.
Buildings that would have been part of the Priory include the Prior’s dining hall, Great Church, refectory, toilet block, dormitory, kitchen, infirmary, bakery, orchard, stables, Chapter House and also the kitchen garden – and many others.
Shop Cliffe High Street
Lewes is a great place for shopping and has lots of independent and antique shops. There are bookshops, food produce, cafes and cute homeware shops as well as your traditional high street brands.
Take a tour of Harvey's Brewery
Harvey’s Brewery is the oldest independent brewery in Sussex and you can do tours which gives an insight into how they brew at Harveys’. They use rainfall which is filtered through the Sussex downs and drawn into their liquid reservoir ready to be used in the brew.
The Sussex Guild
The Sussex Guild can be found in Southover Gardens and is a wonderful shop showcasing craftwork from over 100 members. It is well worth a visit to explore the different rooms with craftwork from different people and a wide variety of styles and types including glasswork, leather, ceramics, jewellery and textiles.
Climb Mount Caburn
Mount Caburn is around a 10-minute drive from Lewes and is a peak, near the village of Glynde. You can walk up to the top from the village of Glynde – the footpath is on Ranscombe Lane, opposite The Little Cottage Tea Room And Garden.
From here, the footpath goes straight upwards through the field, there is a gate at the top and keep following the footpath until you reach the top, where the Caburn peak will be off to the left.
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Lewes is an ancient market town of steep narrow streets, lined with fine buildings of all periods from half-timbered Tudor, to traditional Sussex brick and flint dwellings. An important place since Saxon times, it was the capital of all Sussex until the county was divided into East and West Sussex in 1974. It is now just the county town of East Sussex.
Lewes retains much of its original character. The steep streets of the old town are linked by narrow passageways called 'twittens'. The High Street has many fine Georgian houses and some much older, faced with mathematical tiles giving the impression of brick frontages. One of the most interesting building on the High Street is the 15th-c Old Bull Inn. Currently a restaurant, it was once the lodgings of the pro-revolutionary author Thomas Paine.
Lewes Barbican Gate © TAB
The shopping centre has a good selection of antique shops and bookshops, plus a number of arts and crafts workshops, and many small independent retailers. There is a surprising number of eateries, catering for all tastes, with restaurants, cafes and pubs offering delicious local produce.
The ruins of a Norman castle, which dominates the town to the west, is reached through an a massive outer gatehouse or barbican. The castle and grounds are open to the public and well worth a visit. Opposite the castle is Barbican House, a handsome 16th-c timber-framed building, which is now an archaeological museum displaying a wide range exhibits and local artifacts from prehistoric times to the 19th-c.
The Battle of Lewes (14 May 1264), was fought on the Downs just east the town, where Simon de Montfort and his barons defeated Henry III. The king's ensuing terms of peace are now considered to be the beginnings of English parliamentary government.
Lewes is the scene of spectacular festivities on November 5th, when bonfires roar and an effigy of the pope is burned, in commemoration of several Sussex Protestants burnt as heretics by Queen Mary I in 1555.
Places of Interest to Visit in Lewes
Anne of cleves house.
A large 16th-c Tudor property given to Anne of Cleves by Henry VIII, following their divorce in 1540. Now a local history museum, it has displays covering local arts and crafts and farming.
Opening times: Feb to Nov, daily from 10am - Admission Charge Location: 52 Southover High St, Lewes BN7 1JA Tel: 01273 474610 Website: sussexpast.co.uk
Barbican House Museum
The fine Elizabethan house opposite the castle, which is host to a museum covering archaeology, prehistoric, Roman, Saxon and medieval periods. A collection of local paintings and prints are also on display.
Opening times: daily (exc. Jan) - Admission Charge Location: Bull House, 92 High St, Lewes BN7 1XH Tel: 01273 486290 Website: sussexpast.co.uk
Lewes Castle
The ruined Norman castle, built on two artificial mounds near the centre of Lewes, has commanding views across the town and surrounding countryside. Originally built as a wooden palisade by William de Warenne in 1069, it was rebuilt in stone towards the end of the 11th-c. The remains of the keep date from the 13th/15th century, with much restoration and additions in the 19th-c.
Lewes Priory
To the south of the town at Southover stand the crumbling remains of a medieval priory, founded by William de Warenne (brother-in-law to William the Conqueror). The nearby 16th-c Southover Grange, set in delightful public gardens, was the boyhood home of the diarist John Evelyn (1620-1706)
Opening times: Any reasonable time - Free Entry
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Lewes Tourist Information Centre. LEWES. Lewes TIC is currently in it's temporary home at the Lewes District Council customer services office, just a 10 minute walk from the train station and close to car parks. Our friendly team are on hand with their expert knowledge and personal service…. More Details.
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