There’s a bit of a joke about English Heritage – that it only looks after things that are already in ruins.
And there’s a nugget of truth there. While the National Trust focuses on preserving stately homes, English Heritage mostly deals in the really ancient places – castles, monuments and tumbled-down fortifications.
But if you’re looking for a day out where the whole family can go wild and exercise their imaginations as well as their legs, then English Heritage sites are perfect.
Packed with history and fun.
Plus they’re usually much cheaper, and often free, to explore.
Don’t forget, you can support their ongoing mission to preserve the past by becoming a member which gives you unlimited access to over 400 castles and gardens, historic houses and abbeys, and kids go free.
Here are 5 fascinating English Heritage sites to visit in Sussex
Bramber Castle
A place from my childhood, Bramber was the destination of choice for a day out with my Nanna. Blanket, basket of goodies, rolling down small hills and playing hide-and-seek amongst the ruins.
It still has that great-day-out-with-grandparents vibe, a perfect picnic spot among the remains.
Derelict for five centuries, it was once an important Norman castle, commanding a view of the River Adur and the nearby port at Shoreham. All that’s visible today are parts of the ancient flint ‘curtain’ wall that surrounded the site, a deep dry moat, the central ‘motte’ mound and one huge wall from the castle’s imposing tower.
Studies have shown there are more remains below the ground but these are left undisturbed, so there’s plenty of open space to stroll in, with stunning views of the surrounding countryside.
The slight climb up the path from the village, takes you past the church which is also worth a visit.
St Nicholas, Bramber is the oldest Norman church in Sussex, with rare 11th century pillar carvings depicting strange human faces and odd animals representing the fable of the fox and the geese – although Pork Belly and I, not being experts in ancient stone-work, thought they looked like a lion and a mouse!
Another top tip, make sure to drop by Bramber in late summer for some of the juiciest blackberries you’ll ever find!
How to get to Bramber Castle
Castle Lane, Bramber BN44 3EW
Just off a roundabout on the A283 Steyning Bypass, a few miles north of Shoreham
Free entry
£2 parking charge for non-members
Boxgrove Priory
Founded around 1107 for a community of just 3 monks, many of the walls are still standing. You can see the remains of what was once a luxurious 2-storey guesthouse, and parts of the chapter house where the monks met to discuss priory life.
Originally a French Benedictine Abbey, Boxgrove became independent in the 1300s but fell out of use after Henry VIII ordered the Dissolution of the Monasteries.
The west part of the monastic church was demolished in the 18th century but the chancel, central tower, transepts and easternmost bay of the nave survive today, as part of the nearby parish church.
It’s a lovely spot for a quiet stroll and is pushchair and dog friendly.
And if you have time, Mill Lane, a picturesque ancient holloway of overarching trees on route to Halnaker Windmill, is only a couple of miles away.
How to get to Boxgrove Priory
On The Street, in the village of Boxgrove, 4 miles east of Chichester in West Sussex, PO18 0EE
Free entry during daylight hours with local parking nearby
Pevensey Castle
An iconic relic of England’s constant battle with overseas invaders, Pevensey began its life in the 4th century as one of the strongest of the Roman ‘Saxon Shore’ fort defences.
Its biggest claim to fame is as the landing place for William The Conqueror’s invasion in 1066, but it remained an important defence point right up until World War Two.
And despite nearly 16 centuries of conflict and weather, its towers still stand.
Kids love the freedom to roam and explore the walls, adults just amble round with or without the self-guided audio tour.
How to get to Pevensey Castle
Just off the A259 coast road between Eastbourne and Bexhill, East Sussex BN24 5LE
Prices in 2022
Adults £7.60, children £4.60
Free to members
Battle Abbey
As every history buff knows, the Battle of Hastings wasn’t actually fought at Hastings, but on a field 6 miles north-west, at the place now called Battle.
Here in 1066, the armies of King Harold and William the Conqueror fought and England’s soon-to-be-French future was decided.
You can see the Harold stone, marking the spot where the King fell (with or without an arrow in his eye, historians remain divided) or walk the battlefield trail.
The Abbey, built by William to mark his victory, provides stunning views over the battlefield and the Sussex countryside from its now-ruined gatehouse.
How to get to Battle Abbey and the 1066 Battlefield
The entrance is in the heart of Battle, on High Street, East Sussex TN33 0AE
Prices in 2022
Off peak adults £13.60, children £8.40 rising to £16.50 for adults, £9.90 for children in high season
Free to members
This covers the battlefield trail, abbey ruins and a number of exhibitions
Camber Castle
Okay, full disclosure. We walked for miles on our last visit to Rye and completely failed to find it!
It’s in the middle of a field and normally surrounded by sheep. So remember the countryside code and shut any gates you go through. Sturdy walking shoes advised, but ‘Nordic Poles’ not required.
Built by Henry VIII, as an artillery fort on the marshes and designed to protect the valuable Cinque Port of Rye and its ancient neighbour, Winchelsea.
Still dominating the fields, just as it once commanded the seas that used to surround it.
You can’t go inside unless you are on one of Sussex Wildlife Trust’s guided nature walks, but you can still see it’s flower-shaped curtain walls and for those interested in more recent history, there other World War Two defences like pillboxes and a Martello Tower nearby.
How to get to Camber Castle
You clearly have to pay closer attention to your surroundings than we did!
It’s off Harbour Road in Rye (no postcode, obviously)
It can’t be reached by car, but there is a mile long footpath that runs from the A259 just south of Rye, across the River Brede and through the nature reserve
We were close, but failed to spot the turning, so gave up and headed back to the town for a drink at the historic Mermaid Inn
Next time we’re in Rye, we WILL get to it!
Where to next?
• A pocketful of Rye
• Free Chichester
• 9 reasons not to bypass Shoreham