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Michelham Priory

Upper Dicker, Nr Hailsham, East Sussex, BN27 3QS

TripAdvisor Traveller Rating

TripAdvisor Traveller Rating - 393 reviews393 reviews
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Tel+44(0)1323 844224

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From £12.00
Daffodils at Michelham Priory

About

Michelham Priory boasts England’s longest medieval moat and offers a great day out for all the family.

The moat encircles a site steeped in history dating back to 1229, from its foundation by Augustinian canons, through the destruction caused by the dissolution of the monasteries in Tudor times and into its later life as a country house for farming families in times of peace and Evacuees from London in and Canadian Army during WWII.

On our picturesque island you will find seven acres of magnificent gardens, the Tudor mansion, impressive 14th century gatehouse, Elizabethan Great Barn, Dovecote shop, café and playground.

Explore eight hundred years of history in the house and gatehouse with hands-on activities and displays of furniture and artefacts. Rooms include an interactive Victorian kitchen, our WWII evacuee’s bedroom, Tudor kitchen, Prior’s room and Undercroft.

Discover our rural heritage with our historic watermill and forge.

Relax in seven acres of tranquil gardens and grounds. Take a walk around the moat, the recreated cloister, physic and kitchen gardens and watch the abundance of wildlife.

Enjoy the many sculptures throughout the grounds. There are also many special events held throughout the year.

Play in the children’s playground and try on dressing up clothes in the house.

Eat in the popular café, serving hot and cold food and drinks all day.

Plenty inside and out to keep the family entertained all day.

 

The Gardens

Explore seven acres of beautiful grounds at the majestic Michelham Priory, near Hailsham. From 80,000 blooming daffodils in the spring to summer displays of peonies, roses and alliums, once you cross the medieval moat onto the picturesque island you will be immersed in the tranquil sounds and smells of nature. A moat walk, children’s playground and café with homemade produce makes this the ideal day out for the family.

 

Why not stay longer?

If you're visiting with children, check out the nearby Knockhatch or Drusillas adventure parks. Or take a visit to pretty Pevensey, the spot where the Normans landed in 1066, or Herstmonceux with its fantastic observatory and moated castle. 

Book Tickets

Guide Prices

Ticket TypeTicket Tariff
Adult£13.00 per ticket
Child£6.50 per ticket
Family (1 adult + up to 3 children)£22.00 per ticket
Family (2 adults and up to 4 children)£32.00 per ticket
Senior£12.00 per ticket

See website for more details.

TripAdvisor

TripAdvisor

TripAdvisor Traveller Rating:

4.5 of 5 stars
    • Excellent
      248
    • Very Good
      105
    • Average
      20
    • Poor
      9
    • Terrible
      11

    Recent Reviews:

    • Bramej
      Hove, United Kingdom
      Lovely experience and great staff.
      5 of 5 stars
      Tuesday, 10th October 2023
      Lovely house, well furnished and stocked with an atmospheric range of artefacts, photos etc. Very pleasant gardens, farm area and cafe. The experience was made all the more memorable by the... Read full review
    • chrissieb94
      Dorset, United Kingdom
      Trip Type:
      Couples
      Great Day Exploring History
      5 of 5 stars
      Tuesday, 31st October 2023
      Michelham is a former Augustinian Priory situated in Upper Dicker, in East Sussex. The gardens are interesting in their own right with the Cuckmere River flowing around the site and providing a moat... Read full review
    • 704briand
      Llandrindod Wells, United Kingdom
      A Hidden Gem
      5 of 5 stars
      Monday, 25th December 2023
      A most delightful place. Unprepossessing place but an absolute treasure full of history. Great displays & the guide very pleasant, engaging & informative. A place that repays a much longer visit! A... Read full review

    Map & Directions

    Facilities

    Catering

    • On-Site cafe/restaurant

    Children & Infants

    • Family Friendly, Children Welcome

    Establishment Features

    • Event Venue

    Parking & Transport

    • On site parking

    Provider Preferences

    • In countryside

    Opening Times

    Opening hours (25 May 2024 - 30 Sept 2024)
    DayTimes
    Monday - WednesdayClosed
    Thursday - Sunday10:00 - 17:00

    * Michelham Priory is also open for Groups, School Groups, Events and Weddings. Please contact them for details.

    Video

    • Video of Michelham Priory

    Events

    Thursday, 4th April 2024 - Thursday, 4th April 2024

    Thursday, 11th April 2024 - Thursday, 11th April 2024

    Friday, 12th April 2024 - Friday, 12th April 2024

    Easter Fun: ZooLab Animal Encounters at Michelham PrioryGet up close and personal with a live exotic animal show by ZooLab.
    more info

    Awards

    • Regional and Miscellaneous -WTTC Safe Travels WTTC Safe Travels 2021

    What's Nearby

    1. Knockhatch Adventure Park, Hailsham, features a Petting Farm, Owl Sanctuary Centre,…

      1.02 miles away
    2. Widely regarded as the best small zoo in Europe, the award-winning Drusillas Park in East…

      3.67 miles away
    3. A fully restored windmill in the Sussex countryside.

      4.98 miles away
    1. Enjoy spectacular science amongst domes and telescopes in the former home of the Royal…

      5.54 miles away
    2. The majestic, moated castle is the centrepiece of this beautiful 300-acre estate.

      5.56 miles away
    3. 16th century court room housing local museum with prison cells below. Site of Norman…

      6.07 miles away
    4. Walk the massive outer walls and gatehouse of one of the Romans' Saxon shore forts,…

      6.15 miles away
    5. Pevensey, a village that boasts an impressive historical background also has a lot to…

      7 miles away
    6. Set in the Sussex in countryside in a village called Brightling, these bizarre structures…

      10.61 miles away
    7. Enjoy a game of tennis on one of the outdoor courts, try your hand at bowls or take a…

      11.11 miles away
    8. It’s curious, it’s quirky, it’s packed to the rafters with diverse objects with a…

      11.17 miles away
    9. This 17th century Sussex Ironmaster's house, built in a Wealden valley, was the home of…

      11.38 miles away
    10. Bexhill's traditional seafront is punctuated by some fantastic pieces of modernist…

      11.47 miles away
    11. This picturesque area of Bexhill is home to some fine examples of Georgian architecture…

      11.69 miles away
    12. Take a trip around the picturesque Manor Gardens, with wonderfully colourful plants and…

      11.73 miles away
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    1066 Country of Origin Original by nature
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