Photo: DeFacto, CC BY-SA 4.0The best castles and stately homes in Sussex
Sussex history starts with a bang. The Battle of Hastings was fought at what is now Battle, the Norman keeps at Lewes and Arundel followed, and three centuries later Bodiam rose in the Rother valley looking exactly like a child's drawing of a castle.
The great houses are just as varied: Petworth for its art, Bateman's for Rudyard Kipling, Michelham for 800 years on a moated island and the Royal Pavilion for sheer Regency extravagance.
Timing matters this year. Arundel Castle closes for the winter after 1 November, so go now or wait for spring.
Castles and battlefields
Moats, keeps and the most famous date in English history.
Image: National TrustBodiam Castle
A moated 14th-century castle in the Rother valley that looks exactly like a child's drawing of a castle. Inside the walls it is an open ruin, so you can climb the towers and explore the courtyard, then walk the grounds and parkland around the moat.
Why it's here: A moated 14th-century castle with its original gatehouse and a rare surviving wooden portcullis, and spiral stairs up the towers. Adults £13, under-5s free.
Image: Arundel CastleArundel Castle and Gardens
A vast castle above the River Arun, home of the Dukes of Norfolk for nearly a thousand years, with a Norman keep, state rooms and celebrated formal gardens. Go before the season closes on 1 November, then return in spring.
Why it's here: Home of the Dukes of Norfolk for nearly a thousand years, with a Norman keep and furnished state rooms. The 2026 season ends on Sunday 1 November.
Image: Herstmonceux Castle EstateHerstmonceux Castle Estate and Gardens
A 15th-century moated brick castle set in formal gardens and woodland, now the UK campus of a Canadian university. The grounds and gardens are open year round, and you can see inside the castle on a guided tour.
Why it's here: A 15th-century moated brick castle whose gardens and woodland are open all year. The interior is seen on paid guided tours only.
Image: Sussex Archaeological Society (Sussex Past)Lewes Castle and Museum
A Norman castle built after the Battle of Hastings, with steep steps up to the keep and panoramic views across Lewes and the Sussex countryside. The museum covers prehistoric to medieval Sussex, which makes it a handy rainy-day add-on.
Why it's here: Steep steps to the keep for panoramic views, and a museum below. Open Tuesday to Sunday from 2 November to 3 January.
Image: English Heritage1066 Battle of Hastings, Abbey and Battlefield
The place where the Battle of Hastings was fought in 1066, with the abbey William the Conqueror built on the spot where Harold is said to have fallen. Walk the battlefield with an audio tour, climb the gatehouse for views and finish at the playground by the café.
Why it's here: Walk the 1066 battlefield with an audio tour and climb the gatehouse for views. Booking online by midnight the day before saves up to 15%.
Great houses
Art, writers and Regency excess.
Image: National TrustPetworth House and Park
A grand 17th-century house holding one of the National Trust's finest art collections, including Turner, Van Dyck and Gainsborough. Outside, a 700-acre deer park by 'Capability' Brown gives big South Downs views and room for a long walk.
Why it's here: Turner, Van Dyck and Gainsborough on the walls, the earliest surviving English globe from 1592, and a 700-acre deer park outside.
Image: National TrustBateman's
Rudyard Kipling's 17th-century Jacobean home, with his study and rooms kept much as he left them. Outside there is a quiet garden, a working watermill he wrote about and 300 acres of High Weald countryside to walk.
Why it's here: Rudyard Kipling's Jacobean home, with his study kept much as he left it and a working watermill he wrote about.
Image: Sussex Archaeological Society (Sussex Past)Michelham Priory House and Gardens
A priory founded by Augustinian canons in 1229, set on a medieval moated island near Hailsham. Rooms inside reflect different periods of its 800-year history, and seven acres of grounds include kitchen, physic and herb gardens.
Why it's here: A priory founded in 1229 on a medieval moated island, with rooms from 800 years of history and physic and herb gardens.
Image: National TrustNymans
A romantic garden wrapped around a house that is part home and part dramatic ruin. Rare plant collections fill the garden, and beyond it ancient woodland leads down to a lake and cascades.
Why it's here: A house that is part home and part dramatic ruin, wrapped in a garden of rare plants. The house opens for Christmas from 21 November.
Image: Brighton & Hove MuseumsRoyal Pavilion
George IV's seaside palace, Indian-style domes outside and lavish Chinese-inspired interiors inside. It is Brighton's best wet-weather visit, a short walk from the pier and the Lanes.
Why it's here: George IV's seaside palace, with Chinese-inspired interiors and an official guided tour on Saturdays at 2pm.
Image: Brighton & Hove MuseumsPreston Manor and Gardens
Preston Manor was the home of the Stanford family and brings the upstairs and downstairs life of Edwardian society to life. It stands with its gardens on the edge of Preston Park, one of Brighton's most popular parks. It is run by Brighton and Hove Museums and hosts atmospheric ghost events in the autumn.
Why it's here: The Stanford family's home, showing upstairs and downstairs Edwardian life beside Preston Park.
Seasonal visits
Half-term and Christmas reasons to go back.
Image: Arundel CastleCharacters from History at Arundel Castle
Arundel Castle brings the 12th century to life for two days of half-term, focusing on its first two sieges. Families can meet a crusader, knight and archer, watch the falconer and try archery.
Why it's here: A crusader, a knight and an archer bring the castle's first two sieges to life on 28 and 29 October, with have-a-go archery for over-8s. Included in all ticket types.
Image: National TrustChristmas at Lamb House
Lamb House in Rye becomes 'Mallards', the festive home of Miss Mapp and later Lucia from E.F. Benson's novels. Expect a warm Tilling welcome, a decorated Oak Parlour and a reading nook tied to Henry James's family.
Why it's here: Rye's Lamb House becomes 'Mallards' from E.F. Benson's novels, from 5 December to 3 January. No need to book.
Image: Sussex Archaeological Society (Sussex Past)A Regal Visit to Anne of Cleves House
For one weekend the medieval house is dressed with holly, ivy and candlelight for a Yuletide celebration. Servants prepare a feast in the kitchen while the noble household celebrates upstairs, showing how Christmas differed between rich and poor.
Why it's here: A Yuletide weekend in Lewes on 19 and 20 December, showing how Christmas differed between rich and poor, included in normal admission.
Questions people ask
Which Sussex castle is best for children?
Bodiam Castle is an open ruin with towers to climb and a moat to walk around, and Battle Abbey has a history-themed playground by the café. Arundel Castle runs Characters from History on 28 and 29 October 2026.
When does Arundel Castle close for winter?
The 2026 season ends on Sunday 1 November, and the castle stays closed over the winter.
Can you go inside Herstmonceux Castle?
Only on a paid guided tour, which costs an extra £6. The gardens and grounds are open year round.