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Our trip to Herstmonceux Castle East Sussex was gifted to Well Travelled Munchkins. All words, photos and opinions are our own.

Herstmonceux Castle in East Sussex, England is everything you could want in a castle! Intriguing history, an impressive red brick build and beautiful gardens.

On top of all that it’s a great place for kids too!

Be prepared to spend hours exploring the beautifully maintained Elizabethan Gardens and Folly complete with walled garden. The kids will love the tricky rope maze and to tire them out, go on to explore acres and acres of well kept woodland!

Herstmonceux Castle History

This fifteenth century castle is one of the oldest brick buildings of its time still standing in England. The castle has had a rich and varied life with multiple owners and uses.

After falling on hard times, the castle was rejuvenated by the victorian tourism trade. It was hailed as one of the best days out in the area! If you ask us, it still is! The castle was then restored in full at the beginning of the twentieth century.

Royal Greenwich Observatory at Herstmonceux Castle

Here’s a great bit of general knowledge for you. Did you know Herstmonceux Castle in East Sussex was also the site of the Royal Greenwich Observatory from 1947 to 1988. It was moved from Greenwich in favour of darker skies and a clearer view into space.

The observatory domes are still in the grounds of the Herstmonceux Castle and now form part of The Observatory Science Centre. Visit the observatory website for opening times and more information to plan your visit.

Herstmonceux Castle Gardens

There are a range of beautifully maintained gardens to explore within the castle grounds. These include the themed Elizabethan Garden, the Folly Garden, the Rose Garden and the Apothecary Garden.

The sundial, folly and rope maze are great at keeping little feet busy. If you are looking for a place to visit where you can spend a great deal of your time outside, Herstmonceux Castle grounds are perfect for this. The gardens are beautiful and keep everyone, young and old, entertained as you enjoy a family stroll around the estate.

Herstmonceux Castle East Sussex Opening Times

For the latest information on when the castle and the grounds are open make sure you visit the Herstmonceux Castle website.

Around the Local Area

The local area around Herstmonceux Castle is full of hidden gems and days out. Here are a couple of the best:

1.Walking paths around the castle and local area. If you are keen to explore the area on foot there are a couple of walking paths that you can do as much or as little of. For more details, take a look here.

2. The Observatory Science Centre – for a day out with another focus in mind. The Observatory is not always open every day of the week. Make sure you visit the website before planning your visit.

3. Pevensey Castle – a short drive away from Herstmonceux Castle is Pevensey Castle. This castle is more runied than Herstmonceux, however you can explore the majority of it for free. There’s lots of great walking around the castle and it’s a lovely spot for a picnic. The small village of Pevensey is also very charming and a visit to the small but mighty Pevensey Court House Museum & Gaol is well worth it!

4. Sovereign Harbour Eastbourne – is a 20 minute drive from Herstmonceux Castle and is one of our favourite places to go. The vibe changes from rural British castles to luxurious French Riviera and we love it!

Conclusion

Overall, we had a brilliant time visiting the grounds of Herstmonceux Castle. We saw the castle from the walking paths that trickle around the local countryside and then got to know the castle a little more personally too. I can genuinely say we thoroughly enjoyed the place from every angle. We certainly plan on going back as we’d love to see the castle itself fully open too!

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