Pevensey Castle
Latest Reviews
As English Heritage members, disappointed about the £2 car parking, but with limited space car park is shared with village. A peaceful escape with the grounds free to public, though nowhere to have a picnic and few benches.
A simple castle, but staff friendly and very helpful.
Had a pleasant time. Cover everything in about 2 hours.
A simple castle, but staff friendly and very helpful.
Had a pleasant time. Cover everything in about 2 hours.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Entrance price to this castle included an audio tour which definately made it a more interesting castle to visit so that you don't have to crowd around a guidebook or notices. There are two versions of the guide one directed at adults and the other at children which our two boys (aged 11 and 8) enjoyed and it kept them interested so that we were able to enjoy the castle in our own way too
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Went on the Halloween ghost hunt.Vry intereting and spooky.Did not take a torch and wish I had! well worth doing again.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
we went here to walk dog across the field and it is nice and ancient with lots of old benches and a great view of castle and go there every other month or so
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
My friend Sue and I took our kids here as there first trip out in the summer holidays. I realised that it had been many years since my previous visit but once in had a trip down memory lane.The kids all under 7 had a whale of a time running around and investigating every nook & cranny.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Great for history buffs where a trip to the inner castle if well worth a ticket. For those who want to take in the pretty surroundings and outer keep have free acess to do so. A nice walk around the outer walls and a beer in a local pub makes a lovely afternoon. The nearby cafe is currently closed although there is a large car park and pub close by.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Pevensey Castle is the site where William the Conqueror landed when he first arrived in England. The medieval castle ruins that you see there today are surrounded by 1700 year old Roman walls. The Normans set up wooden fortifications inside the Roman walls for their first castle in England. The stone castle, whose ruins occupy the site today, was built some time later, and was besieged 4 times at various points in time. It is incredible how much of the Roman walls remain today and what a large area they enclose.
Canadian and British troops were housed in this castle in WW2 and there are pillboxes built into the walls, which are disguised to look like they were medieval in origin.
The audio guide is decent and has an adult and child version. There is a small gift shop onsite. You are able to climb the ramparts in one spot, but you can't walk around the castle on the rampart. I agree with many of the reviewers who comment on the fact that the castle is in ruins, but that didn't detract from our visit. The combination of Roman, medieval and WW2 history, and the wide open places for our kids to run in the golden late afternoon sun, made this a memorable site for us.
It doesn't take long to tour the castle (hour, hour and a half maybe), so you might want to consider combining this visit with another attraction to fill up a day - e.g. a trip to Battle Abbey, where the 1066 Battle of Hastings was fought might be a good pairing with a visit to Pevensey. Both of these sites are run by English Heritage, so we used our English Heritage Overseas Visitor Pass for both sites.
Canadian and British troops were housed in this castle in WW2 and there are pillboxes built into the walls, which are disguised to look like they were medieval in origin.
The audio guide is decent and has an adult and child version. There is a small gift shop onsite. You are able to climb the ramparts in one spot, but you can't walk around the castle on the rampart. I agree with many of the reviewers who comment on the fact that the castle is in ruins, but that didn't detract from our visit. The combination of Roman, medieval and WW2 history, and the wide open places for our kids to run in the golden late afternoon sun, made this a memorable site for us.
It doesn't take long to tour the castle (hour, hour and a half maybe), so you might want to consider combining this visit with another attraction to fill up a day - e.g. a trip to Battle Abbey, where the 1066 Battle of Hastings was fought might be a good pairing with a visit to Pevensey. Both of these sites are run by English Heritage, so we used our English Heritage Overseas Visitor Pass for both sites.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Free audio guide included with the ticket helps you quickly understand the history of the castle.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Great for young and old alike. Plenty to still see and enjoy. Sit, relax, or explore and discover do not leave Pevensey without going here.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Although it is a ruin you were able to fell what it was like to be in the castle during a battle.. Unfortunately we were unable to visit the prison as it was flooded.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Having seen other reviews I am disappointed by the lack of historical understanding. It is a privilege to stand and wonder on a site that has been a fort/ castle for the Saxons, English, Romans and Normans right theat thru to housing anti aircraft guns in WW2. Imagine the days when the sea came up tothe Castle - it is now a couple of miles away and savor the atmosphere. Then walk just outside the grounds to see the first Norman Church in England.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Not much of the castle left but nice to walk around and take children.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
As the landing place for William the Conqueror in 1066, and the site of his first of several castles and many more churches in England and Wales this place should have higher national importance - the birth place of the Norman Conquest! The castle's condition allows excellent appreciation of how it was choen as William's landing point from which he would march to fight the Battle of Hastings on Senlac Hill, near Battle some eight miles away.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Interesting history but not much to see. Cafe hardly ever open.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Nice to walk around with the kids plenty of room for them to run about. An experience just to see the dungeons and the keep.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
We included a trip to Pevensey Castle on a walk from Eastbourne and we arrived late on a sunny afternoon. There was an aura about the place which created a relaxing ambience and lent itself to photography. The castle itself was not open when we arrived so we could not go in and at £4.80 a head it may not be cheap. However, walking around the grounds as we did is free. I quite liked the place though so think some of the more negative reviews are a bit harsh!
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Sorry, but although historical, found the place to be a tad boring and delapitated
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
This Norman castle is on the A259 road between Bexhill-on-Sea and Eastbourne. There is also a nearby train station. It's very old and interesting, and steeped in history from the 4th century and onwards. See the website for details. Definately worth a visit for people of all ages.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Very pleasant walk around the castle. Thought the entry fee was expnsive but you could view the inside from the gate very well without actual walking around inside
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Nice walk around the outside but probably not worth paying to go inside as not much left to see.But what do you expect I suppose as it is a ruin!!!
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
A beautiful location but in a tatty state . . I know its a ruin but you need to try and preserve what you have left and not let it fall down
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
As English Heritage members, entry was free. Enjoyed the audio tours (adults and kids versions available). Our sons loved the dungeons and the huge stone balls that had been fired from seige engines. Small but well stocked shop and exhibition. Definately worth visiting en route to Battle.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
as history lovers, we visit quite a few historical sites during the summer, one day we didnt want to travel far so we visited pevensey castle, what a magnificent castle! norman and roman, we also visited the old pevensey court and gaol, loved it, the curator was very helpful explaining all the artefacts, dates and miscellanious facts, we were fascinated, we also visited the fish restaurant that was featured on the restaurant inspector, all in all a great day out.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Our nearest English Heritage property, we visit fairly frequently as it provides a tranquil atmosphere, and is a nice spot for a picnic. Quite a lot of the walls survive, as well as the dungeons which you can go down into. Not particularly amazing, the guidebook gives you illustrations of "how it would have looked", but a pleasant place.
The very high cost of admission means that you'll see a stream of people coming as far as the ticket hut, then walking out shaking their heads. I overheard one recently say "So what do we get for that?"... to which the reply was a friendly smile, and "Well.... this...".... and that's precisely the problem... there's just not enough to justify the price, but if you're a member and in the area, add it to the list!
The very high cost of admission means that you'll see a stream of people coming as far as the ticket hut, then walking out shaking their heads. I overheard one recently say "So what do we get for that?"... to which the reply was a friendly smile, and "Well.... this...".... and that's precisely the problem... there's just not enough to justify the price, but if you're a member and in the area, add it to the list!
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Most of Pevensey Castle is just ruins now and so it's all open to the elements. Going here in good weather is great but I'd imagine in the rain it would be miserable. This is an English Heritage property but unless you read the guide book (which is quite concise and can be read as you go round) you really would have no idea of what you are looking at or at least the significance of it. Overall we found it to be a very pleasant day out from Eastbourne.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
