Museums Directory
Hastings Museum and Art Gallery
In Pevensey
Pevensey Courthouse Museum
Half way along the high street is the Tudor Court Hall, once the smallest town hall in England. The Courthouse Museum and Jail dates from the thirteenth century and courts met there until the dissolution of the borough in 1866.
The Courthouse is now a museum with a host of local exhibits, including the oldest surviving Cinque Ports Seal and a silver penny of William 1 (minted at Pevensey).
In Winchelsea
Winchelsea Courthouse Museum
Displays illustrate the history of Winchelsea, the smallest town in England, built by Edward I as a medieval "New Town" over 700 years ago. www.winchelseacourthallmuseum.co.uk
In Hastings
Old Town Museum of Local History, Hastings
A walk back in time through the history of the Old Town from present day to prehistory. www.hmag.org.uk
Shipwreck Heritage Centre
A fascinating journey around the wrecks off the coast of the South East of England.
Fishermen's Museum
Originally the Fishermen's Church, the museum was founded by the Old Hastings Preservation Society in 1956, the impressive centrepiece of which being the 'Enterprise', the last sailing lugger to be built at Hastings in 1912.
Hastings Museum and Art Gallery
A rich exotic mix, including paintings, ceramics, natural history, dinosaurs and ethnography. Special displays focus on Grey Owl and John Logie Baird. www.hmag.org.uk
Flower Makers Museum
Ridley Scott's 'Gladiator' and the Christian Bale fantasy epic 'Reign of Fire' are just two major Hollywood productions on the impressive client list of this amazing family owned working museum and business.
In Bexhill
Bexhill Museum
A wide range of period costumes dating from 1740 are exhibited at the Costume and Social History Museum, together with lace, dolls and toys attractively displayed.
Bexhill Museum
Bexhill Museum is an ideal place for adults and children alike to learn about the history of Bexhill, its famous residents and visitors, and the important historic milestones that have made Bexhill internationally famous.
In Rye
Rye Castle Museum
The story of the ancient town of Rye from two sites in the town:
The Ypres Tower concentrates on the medieval and smuggling history of the town and the story of this historic tower itself.
The East Street building concentrates on the later history of Rye from the C17th to early C20th pre second world war.
Rye Heritage Centre
An ideal introduction to the medieval town of Rye, bringing together the Story of Rye set within the Rye Town Model, Audio Walking Tours of Rye including the new Ghost Walks, and the Rye Tourist Information Centre in the restored Old Sail Loft building. An exhibition of old pier working models offers a 'hands on' experience of the old penny-in-the-slot working models and novelty games from the piers and arcades of the British seaside.
In Battle
Yesterday's World
Described as 'the very best museum of its kind', Yesterday's World, in the 1066 market town of Battle, is set in a beautifully preserved 15th century Wealden Hall House. From its modest beginnings, as a personal collection of historical bygones, this top-award-winning family attraction recently celebrated it's 20th anniversary, and is now home to over 100,000 nostalgic exhibits dating back from the reign of Queen Victoria right through to the swinging sixties.
In Brede
Giants of Brede Water pumping steam driven engines dating from 1889 in a spectacular and fascinating display.