For a small village, Pevensey has it all: quaint village charm, beaches, oodles of history and a walk on the wild side. Spend the morning exploring a Norman castle, walk across remote marshlands and grab fish and chips to eat on the beach as the sun sets before you head home.
Why visit Pevensey
I’ve visited Pevensey quite a few times because I love the impressive castle ruins, which played a central role in the Battle of Hastings story. But I wanted to explore Pevensey in a bit more detail.
The village dates back to before the Roman era and was also once a Cinque Port and centre for trade, as well as playing its part in England’s defences in WWII. But apart from history, it’s a pretty village and just a short walk from Pevensey Bay and beach.
How to get to Pevensey by train
Pevensey is easy to reach by rail. I travelled from Brighton to Pevensey & Westham, but there are direct, hourly trains from London Victoria which take about one and a half hours. From the station, it is a 1 km walk to the castle, and as you approach, you pass old timber-framed Tudor buildings, a canon and a medieval church.
Things to do in Pevensey
Pevensey Castle
Pevensey Castle has the wow factor, with a large ancient wall that encloses the grounds and the castle. The castle was built as a Roman Saxon Shore fort, and later, William the Conqueror rebuilt it when he landed in 1066.
Although the castle fell into ruin, it was reused during WWII as part of Britain’s coastal defences. It’s now open to the public, and you can explore the ruins and look into the dungeon. I particularly like looking out across the flat marshland, which was once a watery bay.
Address: Castle Road, Westham, Pevensey BN24 5LE
Phone: 01323 762604
Hours: Open daily 10am-5pm
Find out more and book tickets: www.english-heritage.org.uk/visit/places/pevensey-castle
Pevensey Court House Museum
When you have finished visiting the castle, head out of the grounds through the gap in the wall and into Pevensey village. Look out for Pevensey Court House Museum, which is a treasure trove (although check opening times before you travel).
It’s been a courthouse and prison since Tudor times, and it has all sorts of artefacts and exhibits, including stories of prisoners escaping and the Black Death. There’s even a copy of part of the Bayeux Tapestry showing the Normans landing, and you can visit the prison!
Address: High Street, Pevensey, East Sussex BN24 5LG
Phone: 01323 733419
Hours: Open Wednesday-Sunday 11am-4pm (closed Monday & Tuesday)
Find out more and book tickets: pevenseycourthouse.co.uk
The Mint House Pevensey
Just opposite the castle walls, The Mint House dates back to 1525. It’s not always open, but they do host exhibitions and makers’ markets, so it is worth checking what is on and planning your visit around this. Inside, it’s a really interesting building with lots of stories and quirky features, like the carvings in some of the old beams. And of course, it has its own ghost.
Address: High Street, Pevensey, East Sussex BN24 5LF
Phone: 01323 762337
Hours: Opening times vary; check website for current opening hours
Find out more: www.minthousepevensey.co.uk
The Heritage Trail and churches
In the square outside the castle wall is an information board with details of The Pevensey Heritage Trail - a self-guided walk of around 55 minutes, linking the village’s key sites. I didn’t walk all of it, but I did visit two ancient churches.
St Nicholas Church predates the Norman Conquest, and in the churchyard, look out for a haunting memorial to a mariner lost at sea within sight of home. On the opposite side of the castle, St Mary’s Church dates from just after the Norman Conquest and still has three original Norman windows.
Walk the marshes to the sea
One of the most memorable parts of my visit was walking across the marshes. It’s amazing to think this was once underwater, and they feel remote, wild and full of wildlife. It’s only about 2 km from St Mary’s Church down to the beach via the footpath.
The beach and Martello Towers
Pevensey Bay beach is a wide, pebbled stretch set within a gentle bay, with views towards Hastings in the distance. It’s a great spot for a swim or a picnic, and there is a 5 km circular walk you can do from Pevensey village to the beach and back.
Look out for the Martello Towers set back from the shore, which were built in the early 19th century as coastal defences against Napoleonic invasion. Now private homes, they look striking and a little unusual among the surrounding houses.
Where to eat in Pevensey
If you want pub grub, then The Castle Inn in Pevensey Bay is a 16th-century pub just back from the beach, with a large garden. And you can’t get much more Sussex than their Harvey’s beer-battered local cod and chips.
Back in Pevensey village, there are two pubs, The Smugglers Inn and The Royal Oak and Castle Inn. I grabbed a burger in the latter because with all the sea air and walking, I was starving. Castle Cottage Tea Room sits tucked beneath the castle walls and looks nostalgic. Apparently, it has a 1950s vibe.
Is Pevensey worth visiting?
Pevensey is somewhere you can enjoy in a day, but I feel like there is lots more to explore in the surrounding area, like the King Charles III England Coast Path, the 1066 Country Walk and Sovereign Harbour. So yes, like Arnie, I’ll be back.
About the author
Lucy Pitts is co-founder and editor of Sussex Exclusive, which is an online platform all about Sussex. Born and bred in Sussex, Lucy spends her days exploring and writing about the county, searching out the best places to visit as well as the more off-the-beaten-track places.
