The stories, landmarks and hidden secrets of Lewes.

Since the Battle of Lewes in 1264, this small town has served as a microcosm of our nation’s history.

According to Andrew Hasson of Sussex Life, Lewes has it all, from the Norman invasion to the persecutions of Catholic Queen Mary, the English Civil War, and the nation’s taste for great beer.

The renowned English poet William Morris wrote: ‘You can see Lewes lying like a box of toys under a big amphitheatre of chalk hills… on the whole it is set down better than any town I have seen in England’

The War Memorial in Lewes (Image: Andrew Hasson)

WAR MEMORIAL. The town’s war memorial is a Portland stone obelisk with a stunning bronze statue on top (and at the bottom) that honours 251 local men who died in the first war and 126 who perished in the second.

Its position at the top of the High Street commands a 360-degree view of everything.

Lewes Castle Lewes Castle, formerly known as Bray Castle, was built shortly after the Norman Conquest of 1066 to watch over the gap cut by the River Ouse through the South Downs between the towns of Lewes and Cliffe.

It’s a traditional motte and bailey castle, one of only two in England with two moats (the other is at Lincoln). The castle’s barbican, or defensive tower over the drawbridge, is shown here.

The Priory of St Pancras at Lewes (Image: Andrew Hasson)

LEWES PRIORY. Lewes Priory, founded only 15 years after the 1066 Norman invasion of Britain, has been in ruins since Henry VIII ordered the Dissolution of the Monasteries in the mid-16th century. The Priory of St Pancras, to give it its full title, was England’s first Cluniac house.

It was built by William de Warenne and his wife Gundrada with the intention of legitimising the new ruling authority that arrived with William the Conqueror. It’s an intriguing spot to visit, and it was once a massive complex of buildings that housed at least 50 monks as well as an unknown number of workers and tourists.

It would have had a church, an infirmary, a dove house, dormitories, bakers, fishponds, kitchen gardens, and animals and a dining hall. There would have been endless comings and goings and was almost certainly the busiest and most important place for miles around.

The River Ouse from the Railway Land (Image: Andrew Hasson)

RIVERFRONT HOUSING Chandler’s Wharf, near to the River Ouse, is a fascinating housing complex located in the heart of town, just off Cliffe High Street.

It’s a modest design that mixes in nicely with the historic riverbank, situated opposite The Railway Land natural reserve. This area was previously known as the Great Timberyard.

Keere Street Keere Street, located just off the High Street and running down to Southover Grange, is pedestrianised.

It’s a gorgeous and picturesque cobblestone street that must be extremely dangerous in icy situations. It is never a good idea to wear inappropriate footwear.

Southover Grange (Image: Andrew Hasson)

Southover Grange Southover Grange was erected in 1572 by William Newton with stones from the recently collapsed Lewes Priory.

It is now owned by East Sussex County Council, serves as the town’s Registry Office, and is a popular wedding location. The gardens are always available to the public and provide a valuable oasis of tranquilly and beauty.

The former signal box on The Railway land (Image: Andrew Hasson)

SIGNAL BOX HIDES The Railway Land Wildlife Trust and the Nature Links Youth Action Group have repurposed a Type 5 Signal box built in 1888 for the London, Brighton and South Coast Railway into a bird hide. It is situated in the Railway Land Local Nature Reserve.

Ashcombe Toll House, next to the A27 (Image: Andrew Hasson)

Ashcombe Toll House The Sussex Heritage Trust now owns the Ashcombe Toll House, a squat brick edifice by the Kingston roundabout on the A27 that stands 10 feet tall and 15 feet in circumference.

It was constructed in 1820 not just to collect tolls on the Brighton Turnpike, but also to house the turnpike keeper and his family.

It used to have a twin on the opposite side of the road, but that was demolished in 1868. Dominic Ramos, a local artist, painted the artwork.

Harveys Brewery (Image: Andrew Hasson)

Harvey’s Brewery Harvey’s brewery has been a Lewes institution for over 200 years, having opened in 1795.

The tower and brew house can be seen from all over town, and the company is still headquartered at the Bridge Wharf Brewery, which is located close to the River Ouse that runs through the town centre, right off Cliffe High Street. Harvey’s tied pubs can be found throughout Sussex.

Anne of Cleves House in Lewes (Image: Andrew Hasson)

Ann of the Cleveland House This magnificent 15th-century hall building was constructed to accommodate visitors to the adjacent Priory.

After Henry VIII disbanded the monasteries, he gave the house to his ex-wife, Anne of Cleves, after their marriage was annulled. Although she never lived there, it is an incredible and intriguing site to visit.

The Martyrs plaque (Image: Andrew Hasson)

MARTYRS PLAQUE. The victims plaque outside Lewes Town Hall commemorates the 17 protestant victims who were burned at the stake between 1555 and 1557 under Queen Mary I’s reign. Ten of them were imprisoned in the vaults below this building before being executed just a few yards away.

BULLS HOUSE Thomas Paine, a key figure in the American War of Independence, lived at Bull House on High Street from 1768 to 1774. He was, in reality, one of the United States’ Founding Fathers, and he helped write the Constitution.

Fitzroy House (Image: Andrew Hasson)

Fitzroy House. Fitzroy House, located at the bottom of the High Street, about 100 yards from Cliffe Bridge, is a classic Victorian Neo-gothic structure originally designed as a library by Sir George Gilbert Scott, who is also known for the Midland Grand Hotel at St Pancras and the Albert Memorial in London, as well as cathedrals in Glasgow and Edinburgh.

After a tragic fall, it was decided to demolish it in 1970, but the Friends of Lewes were able to save it, and it was eventually purchased and repaired by James and Maureen Franks in 1978, who lived there as a private residence.

It’s an amazing structure, made much more spectacular inside by its octagonal room and minstrel’s gallery.

Jeremy Bamber (Image: Andrew Hasson)

Local Life Vicar Jeremy Bamber: ‘Lewes is a beautiful place with a diverse population that comes together in many communities, such as local bonfire societies, drama clubs, and even churches. There’s something for everyone here.

It has a little town atmosphere with a population of roughly 16,000, although it is conveniently located between Brighton, London, and Gatwick. There’s also the splendour of the South Downs.

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