Founded in 1288, Winchelsea is a historic town in East Sussex renowned for its medieval wine cellars and centuries-old gates. It lies near the Royal Military Canal, which was built during the Napoleonic Wars to defend England against attack.
Take a step back in time at the Winchelsea Court Hall Museum, which occupies one of the town’s oldest buildings. In addition to vintage maps and local ceramics, it features a list of town mayors dating back to 1430. Nearby is the Church of St. Thomas, which was built in the mid-19th century in a Gothic Revival style.
On the eastern edge of Winchelsea is the Strand Gate, a 14th-century landmark that once greeted ships arriving at the town port. On the other side of Winchelsea are the remains of the National Trust-run Blackfriars Barn and Cellar. Sweeping views across the surrounding countryside are on offer from the Old Windmill Site.
Getting there
Winchelsea is around 45 minutes’ drive from Eastbourne and two hours from Heathrow Airport, which has flights to destinations across the globe. Trains connect to the Winchelsea railway station, which is a 15-minute walk from the town centre.