English Heritage & National Trust in East Sussex

“Everyone needs nature, beauty and history”, was the belief of the three founders of the National Trust, Sir Robert Hunter, Octavia Hill and Canon Hardwicke Rawnsley, when they founded it in 1895. And over a century later, their legacy continues. English Heritage came 90 years later in 1983, and today English Heritage and National Trust in East Sussex thrive with a glut of glorious places. 

National Trust in East Sussex

Bodiam Castle – Near Robertsbridge

Over in Robertsbridge, a gem of a National Trust in East Sussex is Bodiam Castle with its water-filled moat and fairy-tale turrets is a shining example of Medieval British Castles. Built in 1385 by Sir Edward Dalyngrigge, a former knight of Edward III, it was bequeathed to the National Trust in 1925. Packed with family-friendly events, Bodiam Castle is also part of National Trust’s ‘Pooch Passport’ (running until 28th February 2025), where every six stamps collected gets you a bag of Forthglade dog treats. 12 stamps bags you a National Trust dog snood. 

Bateman’s – Burwash

The 17th-century (1634 built) Jacobean marvel of Bateman’s in Burwash is the former home of Rudyard Kipling, where he lived from 1902 until his death in 1936. It was bequeathed to National Trust in East Sussex. Stroll its 300 acres of High Weald countryside, for hidden ponds, fragrant bloom-filled gardens and an 18th-century working watermill. A carved oak tree centrepiece stands in the middle of the natural play area and in the house, the Exhibition Room tells Rudyard’s story and you can peek into his book-lined study. 

Lamb House – Rye

The literary jewel in Rye’s crown is the Georgian, red-brick fronted Lamb House. The place that gave inspiration to the likes of Henry James, E.F. Benson and Rumer Godden. Head for the White Parlour, which exhibits 300 years of history at Lamb House and look out for their Christmas events, when the house steps back in time to the Jazz age and is transformed with festive finery. 

Monk’s House – Lewes

Get into the minds of Leonard and Virginia Woolfe (and the Bloomsbury set) as you step into their 17th-Century weatherboarded cottage Monk’s House. They bought it in 1919, as a relaxing retreat from the big smoke and the National Trust in East Sussex describe it as “full of their favourite things, the house appears as if they just stepped out for a walk”. Meander the ponds, orchard and English cottage garden and soak up the sweeping views of the Sussex Downs. Overlooking the tranquillity is the writing lodge that Virginia Woolf wrote most of her major works at. 

Note: that Monk’s House is open every Thursday, Friday and Saturday and pre-booking is essential. Check its seasonal opening hours before you visit. 

Sissinghurst Castle Garden – Cranbrook 

“Historic, poetic, iconic: a refuge dedicated to beauty” is the way the National Trust in East Sussex describes renowned writer Vita Sackville-West and Harold Nicolson’s world-renowned Sissinghurst Castle Garden. Created in the 1930s, the gardens are well-ahead of their time, with a series of outdoor ‘rooms’, an organic no-dig  garden and the Tower, Vita’s writing room with panoramic views of the garden and farm. Learn about the site’s rich history from a 1700s prison to being home to the women’s land army. Don’t miss The Old Dairy Cafe, The Plant Shop, The second-hand bookshop and the library. 

Smallhythe Place – Tenterden 

Born in 1847, Dame Ellen Terry was a Victorian actress celebrated for her stage roles and leading female leads in Shakespearean plays. She snapped up the former Medieval shipyard Smallhythe Place as a retreat away from her busy acting career and lived there happily for 30 years. Relive her career in Smallhythe’s Ellen Terry Museum, Barn Theatre, Writing Hut and Costume Room. 

English Heritage

1066 Battle of Hastings, Abbey and Battlefield and Hastings Castle

Home to England’s most famous battlefield, tread on the very ground that William the Conqueror and King Harold fought in 1066 and wrote history. The site is now peaceful with birdsong and wildflowers. You can walk the Abbey Ruins, see the Gatehouse exhibition or delve into the story of the great battle in the visitor centre. Filled with interactive displays, find out the true weight of a Norman shield. Another must-visit in 1066 country is Hastings Castle. Built by William the Conqueror in 1067, it’s Britain’s first Norman Castle. Today you can go for the views and take a picnic. 

Camber Castle

Just off the Harbour Road in Rye, Camber Castle is a 16th-century coastal fortification built by King Henry VIII. Tudor aficionados will love exploring the old complete with gun platforms and bastions. Make a day of it and follow English Heritage’s brilliant self-guided walk (download the PDF here) that will wend you around Brede Lock, the picturesque coastal and wetland landscape of the Rye Harbour Nature Reserve, Camber Castle and the Old Railway Track spotting unique flora and fauna and wildlife along the way.

Martello Tower

Right on the seafront and Dymchurch’s High Street, the Dymchurch Martello Tower was one of many built between Folkestone and Seaford to defend the area against Napoleon Bonaparte’s army and their expected invasion. It’s been carefully restored to its former glory with garrison accommodation, a storeroom for food, coal, water and ammunition and a rooftop 24-pounder gun. 

Note: that there’s no parking at the tower but there’s a public pay-and-display Central Car Park a two-minute walk away. Although you could travel by train, the wonderful Dymchurch Station is only a five-minute walk away. 

Leeds Castle 

Dating back to the 12th-Century, Leeds Castle is uniquely set on two islands in a lake (formed by the River Len) and the results are pretty spectacular. Neither National Trust or English Heritage, its glamorous 900-year history includes serving as the royal residence for several queens and most notably being restored into a 1930s country house retreat for the rich and famous by Lady Olive Bailie. If only the walls could talk. Take the family and explore her interiors, wander through the fragrant Culpeper Gardens, punt on the moat, get lost in the maze and visit the Birds of Prey Centre in the grounds. They also do an epic fireworks display. 

Read more:

• Love National Trust in East Sussex? Read this what’s on guide to October half term 
• How about a creative art trail in East Sussex?
• Read the British Travel Guide’s review of the local area

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