Please note that the Castle and adjacent Barbican House Museum are undergoing extensive repairs and refurbishment during the period October 2008 to March 2009. From October 13th 2008 Lewes Castle will be completely shut to the public. There will be limited, free admission to Barbican House Museum during this period. The works are designed to improve accessibility and interpretation of both Castle and Museum, and are supported by the Heritage Lottery Fund, the Wolfson Foundation, the Garfield Weston Foundation, Biffa, Viridor, Lewes Town Council and a variety of private sponsors. Sussex Past apologises for any inconvenience caused. Please do continue to check this webpage for updates. Your patience is appreciated and helps us ensure that in 2009 Lewes Castle and Barbican House Museum will be all the more enjoyable - and all the more enjoyed.
***
From the high towers of Lewes Castle visitors can see both the town and the distant views of downs, river and forest. The best way to appreciate this view is to visit Barbican House Museum first and watch 'The Story of Lewes Town', a sound and light show based on a scale model of the town.
The castle was begun soon after 1066 by William de Warenne as his stronghold in Sussex but not completed until 300 years later with the building of the magnificent Barbican. A later owner of the castle was Thomas Read Kemp, local MP and the architect of Brighton's Kemptown. Barbican House Museum now houses the Sussex Archaeological Society's archaeology collections, a changing temporary exhibition gallery and a specialist bookshop providing books on all aspects of history and archaeology.
During the summer, the castle garden provides a magnificent stage for theatrical, musical and interpretation events for all the family.
Disabled access: All visitors are welcome; however, due to its historic nature, there are many changes of level in both the Barbican House Museum and Lewes Castle. Wheelchair access is limited to the lower Gun Garden of the Castle. A written guide, with images of both the Museum and the Castle, is available for a nominal fee. Assistance dogs are welcome. |
 Image
Gallery |
|
|
|
Lewes Castle
