Michelham Priory
Upper Dicker, Sussex
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Quick Guide
See below grid for details |
An Augustinian Priory
founded 1229 and dissolved 1536. The Church
and some of the buildings were demolished and the
remains incorporated into a mansion. It's now in ownership of Sussex
Archaeological Society.
It was used as a base for Canadian troops
during the winter of 1941-42 while they prepared for the Dieppe Raid. Later it
was the East Sussex headquarters of the Auxiliary Territorial Service. It was
given to the archaeological society in 1959.
N Edmonston
Boasting England’s longest medieval
water-filled moat, Michelham Priory’s "Island of History" reflects its nearly
800 year existence. The house dates back to 1229 when the Priory was founded and
was lived in by Augustinian canons until the Dissolution in 1537. After this
time, the Church of the Holy Trinity was destroyed and the house underwent
various transformations including the addition of an extensive Tudor wing.
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A
visit to the priory will give you:
Details on it's history
with the use of exhibits to chart it's inhabitants
Gardens which takes on
a variety of styles such as the Cloister Garden with its medieval design, the
Physic Garden with medicinal plants, Kitchen Garden, Bog Garden and others and
includes an annual Garden Sculpture Trail featuring works of local artists.
The Wilderness Walk and
the Moat Walk feature native trees and wild flowers where you can get to also
see wildlife, including their resident swans and the moated island.
A working watermill.
Earliest documented evidence shows milling taking place since 1434. During the
open season milling takes place every afternoon from 2pm until closing and you
can buy bags of flour. So you get to see it working and volunteers will take you
around the three floors.
A working Forge
that occasionally is worked by a blacksmith demonstrating his art.
The Rope Museum
celebrating an important feature of the industrial history of nearby Hailsham.
The Elizabethan
Great Barn – an agricultural storage barn dating from 1597/1601.
The Iron Age
Centre – a replica Iron Age roundhouse and other replica buildings built
by east Sussex Archaeology and Museums Project (ESAMP). |
Dave
Windsor
Chris
Downer
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There is a Gift Shop and a self-service
restaurant, as well as picnic areas and a play area near the Iron Age Centre for
children.
Click on
smaller images to see larger verions
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Location: Michelham Priory, Upper Dicker,
East Sussex |
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Grid Reference:
TQ5509 |
Ceremonial County:
Sussex
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Map Link:
StreetMap
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Aerial photo:
Google
Aerial Photo
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Getting there: In Upper Dicker off the A22. 2
miles west of Hailsham and 8 miles northwest of Eastbourne. Follow Brown
tourist signs from the A22 and A27. |
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Access: Disabled access good for most of the
site. Upstairs floors of main house only accessible on foot via stairs, the
moated island is accessible over a small bridge, which is not suitable for
wheelchairs. |
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Website:
www.sussexpast.co.uk/property/site.php?site_id=15
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Other Useful Websites:
Wiki
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Email:
adminmich@sussexpast.co.uk |
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Address:
Michelham Priory & Gardens,
Upper Dicker, nr Hailsham, East Sussex |
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Postcode:
BN27 3QS |
Telephone:
01323 844224 |
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Opening Times: Tues-Sun 1st Mar-31st Oct.
Opens at 10.30am Closes Mar & Oct 4.30pm; Apr-July & Sept at 5pm;
Closed Monday's except Bank Holidays.
August 10.30am-5.30pm 7 days a week. |
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Charges: Adult £7; Child (5-15) £3.80;
Seniors & Students £6; Disabled/carer £3.80 each;
Family (2+2) £18.40 |
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Nearby Locations: |
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Other Location Pages:
Abbey Section
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Notes: Disabled toilet in the catering
complex next to the great barn.
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