Because the place the Normans first landed in England almost 1,000 years in the past, it’s no shock there are some incredible castles in Sussex to find for anybody who loves historical past.
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From historic ruins to pretty medieval moated castles, Roman forts and others that are half stately dwelling, you may as well discover jousts, castles with magical hyperlinks, even castles with museums inside.
With decisions scattered throughout East Sussex and West Sussex, by the coast and within the countryside, right here’s my decide of the perfect castles in Sussex with children (and with out!)
Keep in a Sussex citadel with children
You don’t need to restrict your self to days out at castles in Sussex with children, you may even verify into one for a keep.
Amberley Fortress close to Arundel dates again over 900 years. Talked about within the Domesday Guide, it has hosted Charles II and been owned by Dukes and bishops over time.
There’s loads for households too, with video games within the gardens, a youngsters’s menu within the restaurant, and 12 acres of grounds, to not point out the South Downs close by.
Test the newest charges for a keep at Amberley Fortress
Bodiam Fortress
In the event you visualise a citadel, the probabilities are it can look one thing like Bodiam Fortress – turrets, towers and stable stone partitions, floating in the midst of a moat.
And contained in the partitions of the 14th century fortress, you may uncover the stays of what was as soon as among the many most palatial buildings of its day.
There’s an opportunity to decorate up whereas actors assist convey the citadel to life, to not point out some quirkily ugly info to please children, together with disgusting jobs youngsters in historical past would have needed to do.
Add in homicide holes and family-friendly actions, together with archery (and a sport of medieval life throughout our go to), plus an opportunity to identify bats and this Nationwide Belief website is amongst my favourites. You’re additionally within the coronary heart of a few of the loveliest Sussex countryside with the River Rother working close by.
Learn extra about my go to to Bodiam Fortress with children
Arundel Fortress
With a historical past stretching again over 950 years, you may nonetheless enterprise into the eleventh century Hold at Arundel Fortress, in addition to climbing to the highest for some incredible views throughout the West Sussex countryside.
The privately owned citadel is now half stately dwelling as effectively. Inside, the state rooms have been preserved of their opulent splendour as they might have been when the Dukes of Norfolk reworked the medieval fortress within the 18th and Nineteenth centuries.
Nevertheless it’s the occasions and actions which actually set this Sussex citadel aside from the others throughout the UK.
Yow will discover residing historical past with knights on horseback jousting and battles being replayed within the grounds (admittedly with much less sensible outcomes than in centuries previous), in addition to music and crafts from medieval occasions plus different family-friendly issues to do throughout holidays.
For extra of the greatest castles within the UK with children, try my high picks
Rye Fortress Museum, Ypres Tower
Constructed within the thirteenth or 14th centuries, Rye Fortress – also called the Ypres Tower – has acted as line of defence and jail, earlier than being transformed into a little bit museum.
Extra of a little bit fortification than a sprawling citadel, there’s rather a lot to find inside Rye Fortress Museum, with loads of probabilities to get palms on for youths.
Head to the highest to take in a few of the views out throughout the city and in direction of the water earlier than working your method again all the way down to the basement. Alongside the way in which, you’ll discover shows on Rye’s historical past, together with its smuggling previous, the prospect to hearken to conventional seafaring songs, and its significance as one of many Cinque Ports.
You may step inside one of many previous cells, and discover a skeleton swinging inside one other (or bypass it, in case your children want!), whereas there’s additionally a piece on medieval life, knights and warfare, the place you may deal with a sword and see how laborious it was to attract the bowstring on a crossbow.
Its dimension means you don’t must put aside a giant chunk of your day to discover – an hour is loads – and as children are free (£5 for adults), it’s simple to swing by for a fast go to.
For extra issues to do in Rye with children, try my high picks
Lewes Fortress
Set on a hilltop within the city of Lewes, only a quick distance from Brighton, Lewes Fortress is without doubt one of the most original castles in Sussex attributable to its two mottes (raised mounds)
The historic Norman fortress was constructed shortly after the Battle of Hastings in 1066 by supporters of William the Conqueror.
Whereas there’s not an enormous quantity left of the citadel itself, you may nonetheless climb each of the 2 remaining towers for some spectacular views over the city. There’s additionally loads of house to take pleasure in a picnic within the pretty grounds earlier than you search for the cannon.
Together with your entrance ticket, you may as well go to the on-site Barbican Home Museum, which explores the archaeological historical past of Sussex. The small museum actually brings the realm’s historical past to life with a scale mannequin of the city and interactive shows appropriate for guests of all ages.
There are additionally a spread of family-friendly talks, workshops, and occasions going down on the citadel all year long, so maintain a watch out for these.
For extra issues to do in Sussex with children, try my high picks
Pevensey Fortress
Pevensey Fortress was constructed within the 4th century as one of many final Roman ‘Saxon Shore’ forts. Nevertheless it’s most well-known for being the place William the Conqueror and his fleet of ships first landed in 1066. The Normans fortified the citadel and used it as a strategic defence for a whole bunch of years.
The citadel was later used as an emergency stronghold through the Second World Warfare, with machine weapons and anti-tank defences camouflaged into the traditional partitions that you could nonetheless see as we speak.
The spectacular fortification is now run by English Heritage and is a incredible place for guests of all ages to discover. You may stroll throughout the drawbridge, head down into the dungeon, climb what stays of the towers, and go to the museum showcasing weapons and different objects discovered on the website.
The massive citadel additionally has loads of interactive shows and a child’s audio information to maintain little ones entertained. There’s even a enjoyable new immersive problem for youngsters by which they’ll must crack the Pevensey Fortress Code in a recreated Nineteen Forties commander’s workplace.
Lower than 10 miles away at Battle is the battlefield website when the Normans took on the Saxons in 1066, in addition to the stays of Battle Abbey – whereas there’s no citadel, it’s nonetheless a incredible place to go to with children who love historical past, together with the prospect to see re-enactments of decisive battle
Hastings Fortress
Perched on a cliff overlooking the previous city of Hastings and the English Channel, Hastings Fortress began life as a wood tower, earlier than being rebuilt as a big stone citadel after William the Conqueror was victorious on the Battle of Hastings. It was the very first Norman motte and bailey citadel in-built England.
At present it sits largely in ruins, with a lot of the partitions having been misplaced to the ocean, however if you happen to’re on the lookout for historic castles in Sussex, that is simply probably the most vital.
If you’re interested by visiting, you may pay a small charge to wander across the picturesque ruins. Throughout the website, you may benefit from the panoramic seaside views and watch an audio-visual exhibition referred to as “The 1066 Story”. The citadel grounds are additionally an ideal spot to take pleasure in a picnic overlooking the ocean.
Reaching the hilltop fortress does require a slight climb. If that is an excessive amount of for little legs, you should use the West Cliff Elevate, a funicular that takes you up the cliff from the seafront.
For a enjoyable time out in Hastings with children, you should purchase a mix ticket that features Hastings Fortress, Smugglers Journey, and Hastings Aquarium at a reduced worth (not presently obtainable on-line).
Camber Fortress
Camber Fortress is a Sixteenth-century artillery fort constructed by Henry VIII, nestled within the marshlands between Rye and Winchelsea.
The citadel is uniquely positioned inside a coastal nature reserve, which implies there are not any roads resulting in it. It may be solely accessed by way of a scenic one-mile stroll from the city of Rye.
On the stroll to the citadel, you may benefit from the views throughout the marshes whereas watching out for the resident sheep and recognizing the numerous birds that decision the realm dwelling. There are even just a few different army constructions within the nature reserve, corresponding to Second World Warfare pillboxes.
When you arrive on the citadel, you may wander round its spectacular round exterior and take a peek via the gates. However to go inside, you’ll must guide a guided tour via English Heritage or Sussex Wildlife Belief.
Even if you happen to don’t go inside, the stroll to Camber Fortress is a good alternative for little ones to stretch their legs and a beautiful household exercise for a sunny day on the Sussex coast.
For extra issues to do in Camber Sands with children, try my high picks
Herstmonceux Fortress
Herstmonceux Fortress is a powerful Fifteenth-century citadel near the village of Herstmonceux in East Sussex. With its red-brick battlements and surrounding moat, the citadel seems to be like one thing straight from the pages of a youngsters’s fairytale guide.
Initially constructed as a non-public household dwelling, the citadel is now used as a non-public venue for weddings and conferences and is simply sometimes open to the general public.
However this shouldn’t cease you from visiting – the citadel seems to be incredible from the skin anyway! Plus you may nonetheless go to the property’s 300 acres of woodland, which is dwelling to many stunning themed gardens and a beautiful tearoom.
Across the gardens, there are many indicators and boards that let you know in regards to the vegetation and wildlife you may come throughout. There’s even a child’s exercise sheet you may obtain to maintain youthful guests engaged.
There are even some hyperlinks to magic and wizarding if you happen to’re exploring this a part of the UK with Harry Potter followers at Bothwell’s Faculty of Witchcraft contained in the citadel
Cowdray Fortress
Cowdray Fortress is definitely a Tudor Manor Home fairly than a citadel, however its fortress-like exterior might simply have you ever fooled.
Situated inside peaceable Cowdray Park, the citadel has had many royal guests over its historical past, together with the likes of Henry VIII, a younger Edward VI, and Queen Elizabeth I.
Sadly, a portion of the citadel was destroyed in a big fireplace within the late 1700s. Now what you’ll discover is the magnificent ruins of one of many nation’s most vital Tudor Homes. Regardless of its hollowed-out body, it’s nonetheless an incredible sight to see.
You may stroll across the perimeter of the spectacular citadel and admire the picturesque ruins free of charge on a go to to the encompassing park. However to go contained in the ruins, you’ll must guide a Heritage Occasion or guided tour.
Newhaven Fort, Newhaven
Visiting this 150-year-old fort is big enjoyable for the entire household – together with well-behaved canine! One of many string of forts constructed through the Napoleonic wars to protect in opposition to invasion, it was nonetheless used proper up till the Nineteen Fifties.
Inside Newhaven Fort, you may expertise what a (simulated) World Warfare Two air raid was like from inside an air raid shelter.
And the fort, constructed into the cliff itself, additionally has an journey playground for youths and a formidable 10 acres for youths to run round in.
Knepp Fortress
As soon as a mighty mediaeval fortress constructed by William de Braose, Twelfth-century Knepp Fortress now sits in ruins with nothing left however a 10-meter-high tower wall.
However whereas there’s not a lot left of the traditional citadel itself, you may mix the ruins with a go to to the broader Knepp Fortress Property, by which the ruins are positioned.
Knepp Fortress Property consists of a privately owned Nineteenth-century manor home amongst 3,500 acres of nature reserve, with loads of public footpaths to discover.
You may take a stroll across the scenic countryside, which is crammed with ponds, woodland, and wildflowers. The property is nice for recognizing wildlife too, with long-horn cattle, wild horses, deer, wild pigs, and storks all roaming freely.
For extra issues to do in Sussex with children, try my high picks
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Fundamental picture of Bodiam Fortress/Rye Fortress Museum copyright MummyTravels, all different photographs courtesy of Depositphotos/Picfair
