Lewes
Explore hidden histories, historic photos, and things you never knew about Lewes from the collections and archives of Historic England.
Discover your local listed buildings and places
Introducing some of Lewes' most historic sites, included in the National Heritage List for England. Some of these captions have been summarised by AI. Click through for the official List entry. Skip this section and go to place by numbers
Anne of Cleves House Wings Place
Ditchling
Anne of Cleves House, a late 16th-century timber-framed building in Ditchling, features a distinctive L-shape, ornate timbering, period fireplaces, and historic architectural details.
Lewes Quaker Meeting House
Lewes
Quaker Meeting House built in 1784 on a site which had been a Quaker burial ground since 1697. It has been extended three times, in 1801, 1860 and 1977-8.
Glynde Place
Glynde
Glynde Place, built in 1568-69 by William Morley, underwent key alterations by Bishop Richard Trevor in the 1750s, with ongoing historic family ownership and restoration efforts.
School Hill House
Lewes
School Hill House, dating to the early-mid 18th century, features grey header bricks with red brick details, a panelled parapet, and distinct interior panelling and fire-surrounds.
The Folly
Barcombe
Barn and cattle shed with eye-catcher, now a residence. The north-west former barn range is of late C18 or early C19 date.
The Parish Church
East Chiltington
East Chiltington's Parish Church, a Church of England structure initially from the 12th century, features a 13th-century tower and was restored in the late 19th century.
Church of St Andrew
Seaford
St Andrew's Church is notable for its Saxon features in the south porch and tower but is primarily Norman-Early English. The church, wall, and almshouses form an important group.
A platform barrow and two bowl barrows forming a linear b…
Lewes
The platform barrow and two bowl barrows near Offham Hill illustrate diverse Bronze Age beliefs and practices.
Seaford War Memorial
Seaford
First World War memorial granite cross, unveiled 1921, with later additions for the Second World War. Read the official list entry to find out more.
Anne of Cleeves' House
Lewes
Anne of Cleves House, a historically significant 16th-century timber-framed building, features Tudor architecture and connections to Anne of Cleves, reflecting Lewes' rich heritage.
Battle of Lewes 1264
Hamsey
The Battle of Lewes in 1264 saw Simon de Montfort defeat King Henry III, reshaping power and leading to reforms, despite resistance from royal supporters.
No 111 and Railings to North
Lewes
An early 18th-century house with distinct brickwork, notable for its C18 interior features like fielded panelling and fireplaces. Features a prominent entrance with Ionic columns.
Two bowl barrows, the south easternmost pair of a group o…
Seaford
These two bowl barrows are part of a Bronze Age cemetery on the Sussex Downs, showcasing early funeral practices and evidencing long-term human activity in the area.
Lewes Signal Box
Lewes
Type 5 Signal box, 1888, built for the London, Brighton and South Coast Railway company at Lewes Station, by Saxby and Farmer. Read the official list entry to find out more.
The Calvary (mound)
Lewes
The Calvary, a post-medieval folly near Mountfield House, is a well-preserved earthen mound used for garden viewing, reflecting the idea of gardens as pleasure grounds.
Part of Plumpton Plain round barrow cemetery and an Anglo…
East Chiltington
The site includes Bronze Age round barrow cemeteries and Anglo-Saxon barrow fields, providing insights into prehistoric burial practices and social organization, especially in Sussex and...
Church of St Thomas at Cliffe
Lewes
The Church of St Thomas at Cliffe, dating back to the 12th century, combines elements from the 14th and 15th centuries, with significant restorations in the 19th century.
Bowl barrow and four hlaews on the summit of Saxon Down
Glynde
The bowl barrow and four hlaews on Saxon Down are significant burial monuments showcasing diversity in practices and societal beliefs from prehistoric to Saxon times.
Pedlersburgh: a bowl barrow on Telscombe Tye
Telscombe
Pedlersburgh bowl barrow, a prehistoric funerary monument, showcases diverse burial practices and social organizations of early communities, offering insights into ancient rituals.
Medieval earthworks at Balmer
Falmer
The Balmer deserted medieval village, primarily an agricultural community, shows well-preserved archaeological deposits, revealing medieval settlement patterns and impact of events like the...
The Garden Wall With Carriage Entrance, South East of Gly…
Glynde
The garden wall at Glynde Place, made by John Morris for Bishop Richard Trevor, features unique blind arches and decorative gate piers with wyverns.
Keep to Lewes Castle
Lewes
Lewes Castle's Keep, built around 1100 by William de Warenne with additions by John de Warenne, features flint with stone dressings and two 13th-century turrets.
The Parish Church of St Mary
Barcombe
The Parish Church of St Mary in Barcombe features a 13th-century chancel and tower, and a nave dating back to around 1100, restored in 1879-80.
The Parish Church of St Peter
Seaford
The Parish Church of St Peter features a Norman nave, a circa 1200 priest's doorway, and a 13th-century tower with a shingled broach spire.
Charleston
Firle
Charleston is known for its remarkable interior murals and furnishings created by Duncan Grant and Vanessa Bell during the early to mid-20th century.
The Parish Church of St Peter
Firle
The Parish Church of St Peter features a 13th-century chancel and a 14th-century nave and aisles. The Gage chapel holds brasses and monuments of the Gage family.
St Swithun House
Lewes
St Swithun House, an 18th-century house in Lewes, now a bank, features ornate fireplaces, C18 panelling, and a Diocletian window.
Westgate Chapel
Lewes
Westgate Chapel, built in 1583 and converted in 1698, features timber framing, knapped flint cladding, and 19th-century modifications including an organ and pulpit.
Barbican House
Lewes
Barbican House, a late 16th-century building in Lewes, now a museum, showcases various architectural alterations through the centuries, featuring Tudor fireplaces, intricate panelling, and a...
12-14 and 16 Lansdown Place
Lewes
A pair of houses mid to late C18. Read the official list entry to find out more.
Pelham House and wall to south
Lewes
Pelham House, originating in the 16th century, features architectural expansions from the 18th and 19th centuries.
Law Courts
Lewes
The Lewes Law Courts, originally built as County Hall between 1808-1812 by John Johnson, feature Portland stone, Coade stone plaques, and a French-influenced interior.
Malling House
Lewes
Malling House, now the Sussex County Constabulary headquarters, is a historically significant 17th-century country house, refronted circa 1720-26 with notable architectural features like a...
Barbican to Lewes Castle and Walls to South
Lewes
Barbican and walls to the south of Lewes Castle were constructed in the early 14th century for John de Warenne, featuring flint and stone with distinctive architectural details.
The Parish Church of St Mary the Virgin
Glynde
The Parish Church of St Mary the Virgin, built in 1763-5 by John Morris, features cobble walls, an ashlar base, and retains 18th-century fittings.
Harvey's Brewery
Lewes
Harvey's Brewery, remodeled by William Bradford in 1881, features red brick, arched windows, a hoist house, historical steam engine, and a notable board room fireplace.
Church of St Anne
Lewes
The Church of St Anne, located in Lewes, is a Grade I listed building with origins in the early 12th century, notable for its historical architectural elements and features dating to various...
War Memorial
Lewes
Memorial sculpture by Vernon March. Unveiled in 1922. Read the official list entry to find out more.
Explore more
Search for more listed placesLewes through time
This timeline shows the first period of use for buildings and places on the National Heritage List for England, just one of the details recorded for every list entry. Click around to see how Lewes changes over time. Skip this section and go to aerial photos
Prehistoric Before AD 43
Prehistory covers a million years of human occupation before the Roman invasion and the introduction of writing. Primarily hunter-gatherers of several human species including Neanderthals, the peoples moved across Europe, hunting animals, exchanging ideas and developing complex culture and belief systems including burial rites and astronomical understanding, as at Stonehenge for example.
Early medieval AD 410 to AD 1066
This period, often associated in England with Anglo-Saxons and Vikings, saw a reduction in urban living from the Roman period and increased migration from northern Europe.
Traces of this period can be found in cemeteries, particularly in artefacts and in some of the very early churches, as this period also saw the growth of Christianity in Britain.
Medieval AD 1066 to AD 1540
This period, sometimes known as the Middle Ages, began with the Norman invasion in AD 1066. It saw a significant rise in military and defensive buildings such as castles and earthworks, as well as religious houses dominating a largely agricultural landscape.
The monarchy and Church dominated the period, which also saw the break with the Roman Catholic Church and the English reformation.
Post medieval AD 1540 to AD 1901
The Post-Medieval period brought seismic changes to life in England, with religious reformation leading to the democratization of worship and the destruction of hundreds of religious houses.
In parallel, there was a huge expansion of scientific study and enlightenment that permanently altered the nation's social structure and landscape. Industrialization and mass production lead to wider global trade, emigration, and immigration.
20th century AD 1901 to AD 2000
The 20th century saw an incredible expansion of England's transport networks, with suburban growth shadowing rapid infrastructural expansion. The establishment of state schools, hospitals, and modern technical colleges, with new architectural styles, radically changed the appearance of towns and cities.
Two catastrophic world wars and the 1918 pandemic also brought unprecedented change, altering England's built environment and social structures forever.
Prehistoric Before AD 43
Prehistory covers a million years of human occupation before the Roman invasion and the introduction of writing. Primarily hunter-gatherers of several human species including Neanderthals, the peoples moved across Europe, hunting animals, exchanging ideas and developing complex culture and belief systems including burial rites and astronomical understanding, as at Stonehenge for example.
Early medieval AD 410 to AD 1066
This period, often associated in England with Anglo-Saxons and Vikings, saw a reduction in urban living from the Roman period and increased migration from northern Europe.
Traces of this period can be found in cemeteries, particularly in artefacts and in some of the very early churches, as this period also saw the growth of Christianity in Britain.
Medieval AD 1066 to AD 1540
This period, sometimes known as the Middle Ages, began with the Norman invasion in AD 1066. It saw a significant rise in military and defensive buildings such as castles and earthworks, as well as religious houses dominating a largely agricultural landscape.
The monarchy and Church dominated the period, which also saw the break with the Roman Catholic Church and the English reformation.
Post medieval AD 1540 to AD 1901
The Post-Medieval period brought seismic changes to life in England, with religious reformation leading to the democratization of worship and the destruction of hundreds of religious houses.
In parallel, there was a huge expansion of scientific study and enlightenment that permanently altered the nation's social structure and landscape. Industrialization and mass production lead to wider global trade, emigration, and immigration.
20th century AD 1901 to AD 2000
The 20th century saw an incredible expansion of England's transport networks, with suburban growth shadowing rapid infrastructural expansion. The establishment of state schools, hospitals, and modern technical colleges, with new architectural styles, radically changed the appearance of towns and cities.
Two catastrophic world wars and the 1918 pandemic also brought unprecedented change, altering England's built environment and social structures forever.
Aerial photos of Lewes
Aerial photography helps reveal secrets of England's changing landscapes that are impossible to see from the ground. Skip this section and go to archive images

Lewes
The Lewes Cement Works and environs, Lewes, 1932

Lewes
The Lewes Cement Works, Lewes, 1932

Streat
Streat Place and the church, Streat, 1952

Streat
Streat Place, Streat, 1952

Denton
The village, Denton, 1950

Denton
The village, Denton, 1950

Telscombe Cliffs
Telscombe Tye and Bannings Bottom, Telscombe Cliffs, 1934

Telscombe Cliffs
Telscombe Tye, Bannings Bottom and environs, Telscombe Cliffs, 1934

Lewes
Housing estate at Hamsey Crescent and Windover Crescent, Lewes, 1936

Lewes
Housing estate at Hamsey Crescent and Windover Crescent, Lewes, 1936
Lewes in the Historic England Archive
The Historic England Archive cares for over 15 million images, dating from the 1850s to the present day. Discover stunning images of Lewes' past. Skip this section and go to stories about heritage
Charles George Harper Collection
Southease, Lewes, East Sussex
Date created: 1892 - 1933
Southease Church, seen from the south-east
John Gay Collection: Modern Architects
Coopersale, Epping Forest, Essex
Date created: 1970 - 1979
The modern terrace of houses at 60 to 63 Parklands, part of a late 20th century housing estate at Coopersale
John Gay Collection: Rural Life
Lewes, East Sussex
Date created: 1959
A scene from the Whitsun fair near Lewes, East Sussex in 1959, showing a fancy hat stall and its customers, and a couple of small children playing...
John Gay Collection: Counties
Exceat Bridge, Lewes, East Sussex
Date created: 1972
Looking through an open porthole window in The Golden Galleon towards Cuckmere Haven
John Laing Collection
Lewes, East Sussex
Date created: 10 Aug 1992
A view of the Tesco supermarket in Lewes from the opposite bank of the River Ouse
Nigel Temple Collection of Postcards of Parks and Gardens
Lewes, East Sussex
Date created: 1915 - 1935
GENERAL VIEW
Charles George Harper Collection
Lewes, East Sussex
Date created: 1892 - 1933
A view from the south-west of St Michael's Church, showing the round west tower
John Gay Collection: Modern Architects
Coopersale, Epping Forest, Essex
Date created: 1970 - 1979
View from beneath the canopy in front of the shops at Coopersale, looking towards the houses at 20-27 Parklands
John Gay Collection: Rural Life
Lewes, East Sussex
Date created: 1959
A close-up of a young boy biting into a toffee-apple at the Whitsun fair near Lewes, East Sussex in 1959.
John Gay Collection: Counties
Exceat Bridge, Lewes, East Sussex
Date created: 1972
Part of the front facade of The Golden Galleon, one of a chain of fish and oyster restaurants called Wheelers, showing its shutters with cut out...
Nigel Temple Collection of Postcards of Parks and Gardens
Lewes, East Sussex
Date created: 1900 - 1904
EXTERIOR VIEW OF TEA ROOM
John Gay Collection: Counties
Exceat Bridge, Lewes, East Sussex
Date created: 1972
The timber framed interior of The Golden Galleon, one of a chain of fish restaurants and oyster bars called Wheelers, showing two men standing at a...
Stories about heritage in your local area
Historic England publishes news, blogs, research, videos, and podcasts celebrating England's rich heritage. Discover the stories we have about Lewes. Skip this section and go to education
£750k Grant Kickstarts Madeira Terrace Restoration in Brighton
Mentions Lewes
Historic England has committed £750,000 towards the restoration of Grade II* listed Madeira Terrace in Brighton, East Sussex.
The History of England’s Village Greens
Mentions Ringmer War Memorial
The origins of village greens in England date back to the early Middle Ages. Village greens are open spaces that can be registered.
6 Remarkable First World War Memorials
Mentions War Memorial
1. The Response, Newcastle Designed by Sir William Goscombe John, unveiled 1923.
7 Inspiring Writers’ Retreats
Mentions Monks House
Many of our favourite author’s writing spots are protected.
£750k Grant Kickstarts Madeira Terrace Restoration in Brighton
Mentions Lewes
Historic England has committed £750,000 towards the restoration of Grade II* listed Madeira Terrace in Brighton, East Sussex.
The South Downs Explored From Above: A Landscape of Rich Archaeology Revealed
Mentions Part of Western Brow round barrow cemetery and an Anglo-Saxon barrow field 700m south of Westmeston Farm, Lewes
Aerial imagery used to map hundreds of archaeological sites across part of the South Downs.
Lewes' social history through photos
Over 10,000 images from the Historic England Archive have been specially selected and re-captioned for teachers, students, and anyone who wants to learn more about their local area. Skip this section and go to grant-aided places
War Memorial, High Street, Lewes, East Sussex
Period: World War One (1914 - 1919)
This First World War memorial was built in 1920 by the architects March and March.
War Memorial, High Street, Lewes, East Sussex
Toll Gate, Southerham, East Sussex
Period: Victorian (1837 - 1901)
Two women standing by the toll gate and house at Southerham. It looks a bleak and isolated location.
Toll Gate, Southerham, East Sussex
The Old Forge, High Street, Lewes, East Sussex
Period: Tudor (1485 - 1602)
This building was built in the late 16th century as a house. It was altered in the 18th and 19th centuries for industrial use.
The Old Forge, High Street, Lewes, East Sussex
The Marine Workshops, Railway Quay, Newhaven, East Sussex
Period: Victorian (1837 - 1901)
This building was constructed in 1882 to house several engineering workshops. The workshops have been used to repair both train and ship engines.
The Marine Workshops, Railway Quay, Newhaven, East Sussex
The Carpenter's shop, Railway Quay, Newhaven, East Sussex
Period: Victorian (1837 - 1901)
This building was constructed in 1885 as a carpenters shop for the London Brighton and South Coast Railway Company.
The Carpenter's shop, Railway Quay, Newhaven, East Sussex
The Bridge Hotel, High Street, Newhaven, East Sussex
Period: Georgian (1714 - 1836)
This hotel was built in the 18th century as a Georgian residence. The building is famous for housing King Louis Philippe of France and his family.
The Bridge Hotel, High Street, Newhaven, East Sussex
The Ancient Fig Gardens, South Street, West Tarring, Worthing, West Sussex
Period: Edwardian (1902 - 1913)
Exterior view of the tea room.
The Ancient Fig Gardens, South Street, West Tarring, Worthing, West Sussex
Tea interval, Lewes, East Sussex
Period: 1950s (1950 - 1959)
A woman serves tea during the tea interval at a cricket match at thet Whitsun fair near Lewes in 1959.
Tea interval, Lewes, East Sussex
Discover more
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