Because the place the Normans first landed in England almost 1,000 years in the past, it’s no shock there are some implausible 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 too can discover jousts, castles with magical hyperlinks, even castles with museums inside.
With selections scattered throughout East Sussex and West Sussex, by the coast and within the countryside, right here’s my choose of one of the best castles in Sussex with youngsters (and with out!)
Keep in a Sussex citadel with youngsters
You don’t need to restrict your self to days out at castles in Sussex with youngsters, you possibly can even verify into one for a keep.
Amberley Citadel 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 through the years.
There’s a lot for households too, with video games within the gardens, a kids’s menu within the restaurant, and 12 acres of grounds, to not point out the South Downs close by.
Examine the newest charges for a keep at Amberley Citadel
Bodiam Citadel
In case you visualise a citadel, the possibilities are it can look one thing like Bodiam Citadel – turrets, towers and stable stone partitions, floating in the midst of a moat.
And contained in the partitions of the 14th century fortress, you possibly can 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 carry the citadel to life, to not point out some quirkily grotesque information to please youngsters, together with disgusting jobs kids 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 number of the loveliest Sussex countryside with the River Rother working close by.
Learn extra about my go to to Bodiam Citadel with youngsters
Arundel Citadel
With a historical past stretching again over 950 years, you possibly can nonetheless enterprise into the eleventh century Preserve at Arundel Citadel, in addition to climbing to the highest for some implausible 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.
However it’s the occasions and actions which actually set this Sussex citadel other than 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 reasonable 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 finest castles within the UK with youngsters, try my high picks
Rye Citadel Museum, Ypres Tower
Constructed within the thirteenth or 14th centuries, Rye Citadel – also called the Ypres Tower – has acted as line of defence and jail, earlier than being transformed into slightly museum.
Extra of slightly fortification than a sprawling citadel, there’s loads to find inside Rye Citadel Museum, with loads of possibilities to get palms on for youths.
Head to the highest to take in a number of the views out throughout the city and in the direction of the water earlier than working your method again right down to the basement. Alongside the way in which, you’ll discover shows on Rye’s historical past, together with its smuggling previous, the possibility to take heed to conventional seafaring songs, and its significance as one of many Cinque Ports.
You’ll be able to step inside one of many previous cells, and discover a skeleton swinging inside one other (or bypass it, in case your youngsters choose!), whereas there’s additionally a piece on medieval life, knights and warfare, the place you possibly can deal with a sword and see how arduous it was to attract the bowstring on a crossbow.
Its dimension means you don’t have to put aside a giant chunk of your day to discover – an hour is a lot – and as youngsters are free (£5 for adults), it’s simple to swing by for a fast go to.
For extra issues to do in Rye with youngsters, try my high picks
Lewes Citadel
Set on a hilltop within the city of Lewes, only a quick distance from Brighton, Lewes Citadel is without doubt one of the most unusual castles in Sussex as a consequence of 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 possibly can nonetheless climb each of the 2 remaining towers for some spectacular views over the city. There’s additionally loads of area to get pleasure from a picnic within the pretty grounds earlier than you search for the cannon.
Together with your entrance ticket, you too can 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 variety of family-friendly talks, workshops, and occasions happening on the citadel all year long, so hold a watch out for these.
For extra issues to do in Sussex with youngsters, try my high picks
Pevensey Citadel
Pevensey Citadel was constructed within the 4th century as one of many final Roman ‘Saxon Shore’ forts. However 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 in the course of the Second World Warfare, with machine weapons and anti-tank defences camouflaged into the traditional partitions that you may nonetheless see in the present day.
The spectacular fortification is now run by English Heritage and is a implausible place for guests of all ages to discover. You’ll be able to 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 big 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 have to crack the Pevensey Citadel Code in a recreated 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 implausible place to go to with youngsters who love historical past, together with the possibility to see re-enactments of decisive battle
Hastings Citadel
Perched on a cliff overlooking the previous city of Hastings and the English Channel, Hastings Citadel began life as a picket 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.
Right this moment 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 some of the necessary.
In case you are thinking about visiting, you possibly can pay a small charge to wander across the picturesque ruins. Inside the website, you possibly can benefit from the panoramic seaside views and watch an audio-visual exhibition known as “The 1066 Story”. The citadel grounds are additionally an excellent spot to get pleasure from 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 utilize the West Cliff Raise, a funicular that takes you up the cliff from the seafront.
For a enjoyable day trip in Hastings with youngsters, you should buy a mixture ticket that features Hastings Citadel, Smugglers Journey, and Hastings Aquarium at a reduced value (not at the moment obtainable on-line).
Camber Citadel
Camber Citadel 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 suggests there aren’t 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 possibly can benefit from the views throughout the marshes whereas watching out for the resident sheep and recognizing the various birds that decision the realm dwelling. There are even a couple of different army constructions within the nature reserve, reminiscent of Second World Warfare pillboxes.
When you arrive on the citadel, you possibly can wander round its spectacular round exterior and take a peek by means of the gates. However to go inside, you’ll have to e book a guided tour by means of English Heritage or Sussex Wildlife Belief.
Even if you happen to don’t go inside, the stroll to Camber Citadel is a good alternative for little ones to stretch their legs and a stunning household exercise for a sunny day on the Sussex coast.
For extra issues to do in Camber Sands with youngsters, try my high picks
Herstmonceux Citadel
Herstmonceux Citadel is an impressive 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 kids’s fairytale e book.
Initially constructed as a personal household dwelling, the citadel is now used as a personal venue for weddings and conferences and is just sometimes open to the general public.
However this shouldn’t cease you from visiting – the citadel seems to be implausible from the surface anyway! Plus you possibly can nonetheless go to the property’s 300 acres of woodland, which is dwelling to many lovely themed gardens and a stunning tearoom.
Across the gardens, there are many indicators and boards that inform you concerning the crops and wildlife you may come throughout. There’s even a child’s exercise sheet you possibly can 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 Citadel
Cowdray Citadel is definitely a Tudor Manor Home fairly than a citadel, however its fortress-like exterior may 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 necessary Tudor Homes. Regardless of its hollowed-out body, it’s nonetheless an incredible sight to see.
You’ll be able to stroll across the perimeter of the spectacular citadel and admire the picturesque ruins without cost on a go to to the encircling park. However to go contained in the ruins, you’ll have to e book 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 in the course of the Napoleonic wars to protect towards invasion, it was nonetheless used proper up till the Fifties.
Inside Newhaven Fort, you possibly can 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 powerful 10 acres for youths to run round in.
Knepp Citadel
As soon as a mighty mediaeval fortress constructed by William de Braose, Twelfth-century Knepp Citadel 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 possibly can mix the ruins with a go to to the broader Knepp Citadel Property, by which the ruins are positioned.
Knepp Citadel 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’ll be able to 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 youngsters, try my high picks
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Essential picture of Bodiam Citadel/Rye Citadel Museum copyright MummyTravels, all different photos courtesy of Depositphotos/Picfair
