Pevensey Castle is a great family day out in East Sussex. Just 26 miles east of Brighton and Hove, the castle combines rich history with fun things to do and see for adults and children. With a history stretching back over 16 centuries, Pevensey Castle chronicles more graphically than any other fortress the story of Britain’s south coast defences.

Beginning in the 4th century as one of the last and strongest of the Roman ‘Saxon Shore’ forts, two-thirds of whose towered walls still stand. It was the landing place of William the Conqueror’s army in 1066.

During the century after the Conquest a full-scale Norman castle, with a great square keep and a powerful gatehouse, was built within one corner of the fort. In the 1250s the towered bailey wall was constructed, and soon put to the test during the great siege of 1264.

What to see and do

• Explore the dark dungeons
• Look out for the ghost of “the Pale Lady of Pevensey”

Location
Castle Road, Pevensey, East Sussex – BN24 5LE

Admission
Adults: £4.50 (£4.80 from 1 Apr), Children: £2.30 (£2.90 from 1 Apr), Concessions: £3.80 (£4.30 from 1 Apr), English Heritage Members: Free, Family Ticket: £11.30 (£12.50 from 1 Apr)

Opening times
See English Heritage website for latest opening times.

Nearby castles

• Bodiam
• Eastbourne Redoubt