Herstmonceux Castle - Hailsham

Barry P.

Visited on a sunny day so I managed to visite the grounds and circuit the castle. The building itself cannot be entered as it is owned by a Canadian University but the gardens and nearby woods and lake are enough to behold. Small cafe and toilets alongside the Castle and the nearby former Greenwich Observatory domes are visible. (This is a separate attraction). Dogs welcome. At the time the Castle entrance was being refurbished but the other sides were quite appreciable and equally impressionable. It was one of the first castles of its clay brick construction type and of the 15th century.

Sara R.

Wow! What an amazing experience this was!
The castle is currently under renovation on the front side near the car park looks a little...disappointing?! However, the side and back are still beautiful , with 8 gardens to see a qonderful cafe and terrace plus orchard, folly Georgian house (currently closed bit wortg a look) and lily pond it is So worth the £8 ticket price.
Free parking
All gardens included in the price
Tours available at 11am and 1 30, i did not partake so cant comment.
I think alot of it you just cant capture in a picture, the Magic Garden was particularily special with gnarly tree trunks and a purple hue from the tree leaves ,i expected a fairy to pop out any moment!
Even on the walk from car park to cafe there are BEAUTIFUL old trees with twisted trunks, i mean...if you love trees, castles, plants, history, art and good coffee this is the place for you!

Michael M.

Great walk across the bridge into the Castle gardens and then onto the multiple rear gardens. Well maintained with beautiful flowers and shrubs. You can then walk through the woods to see the 300 year old Sweet Chestnut tree. Further around, the estate ground is a folley with gardens, then a lovely walk back around the lakes, and the moat. Fantastic day out. Would highly recommend.

Andy K.

I recently visited the gardens and grounds at Herstmonceux Castle, and I was thoroughly impressed by the transformation since my last visit. The grounds have undergone a significant change, with many areas now beautifully cultivated into wild meadows. This new approach has added a charming and naturalistic feel to the estate, providing a delightful contrast to the more formal garden areas.

Though the gardens look a bit tired, they still retain their beauty and charm. The café is quaint, offering a cosy spot to relax and enjoy the serene surroundings. The blend of wild and manicured spaces, along with the charming café, makes for a truly enchanting experience. I highly recommend a visit to see the stunning changes for yourself.

Kathy T.

Beautiful castle! Lovely grounds. Easy to find, ample parking, and accessible route to the castle too. It's privately owned so they only do tours on specific days, but the grounds are amazing. Little cafe, lovely kids play area, but the true beauty is walking the grounds. You can easily lose 2 hours here.

Ann B.

Great place to walk enjoy gardens and bring your dog...super cafe The Chedtnut excellent cakes and coffee plus lots more....very civilsed place. Good for the kids and taking your own picnic

Maria O.

I was here as a Bader College student and had the very best time! I loved every aspect of the Castle experience. I always found the Castle itself beautiful and certainly surreal, the gardens colourful, organised, and happy, the estate a fantastic place to explore, Chestnuts (the cafe) yummy, and the people incredibly lovely! ❤️

VALERIE P.

We were only able to do the gardens, but we really enjoyed a leisurely walk around. There were plenty of benches to sit and take in the peace and tranquility. We finished our visit off with lunch in the tea rooms. All the ladies very nice, nothing too much trouble.