Herstmonceux is renowned for its magnificent moated castle, set in 600 acres of beautiful parkland and superb Elizabethan gardens. Our gardens and grounds embody the history of medieval England and the romance of renaissance Europe.

Starting at the front of the castle, visitors have the perfect opportunity to take some photographs before walking around to Chestnut Tree Walk and heading towards Chestnuts Tea Room and the Visitors Centre where you can refresh yourself, learn a little about the history of the castle and relax before taking a gentle stroll around our formal gardens.

As you head through the themed gardens you will work your way towards the woodland trails where you can enjoy a peaceful stroll and take in the carefully managed flora and fauna of the estate. Discoveries such as Woodhenge, 300 year old Chestnut Trees, the Folly and Secret Garden as well as our Lake and Moat Walk all add to the escapism of everyday life.

At the end of your walk why not enjoy some lunch at Chestnuts Tea Room, our cream teas and cakes are firm favourites.

The castle operates as a busy International Study Centre, however guided tours are conducted at an extra charge and subject to availability. Please call us on 01323 833816 before your visit and we will happily confirm our tour times.

Map Key

1 Gate House  2 Car Park  3 Chestnut Tree Walk  4 Visitor Centre  5 Tea Room & Toilets  6 Elizabethan Gardens  7 Rose Garden 8 Giant Sundial 9 Shakespeare Garden  10 Butterfly Garden  11 Herb Garden  12 Orchard  13 Magic Garden  14 Beehive  15 Pyramid Sculpture  16 Woodhenge  17 Wild Flower Meadow  18 Chestnut Clearing  19 Folly & Secret Garden  20 Children's Play Area  21 Cricket Pavilion  22 Moat Walk  23 Moat View 

Please view our seasonal guide to help plan your visits throughout the season

Daffodils	Woodland, Lawns	April
Rhododendrons, Azaleas, Bluebells	Woodland, Gardens	May
Roses	Gardens	June, July, August
Herbaceous Borders	Gardens	June, July, August, September
Autumn Colours	Woodland	October

A brief history of the Castle

Herstmonceux was a significant place long before the Castle was built. There is evidence of prehistoric and Roman remains, and in the 12th century a Saxon lady, Idonea de Herst married a Norman nobleman, Ingelram de Monceux, to give the place its name.

The name of the owners changed through marriage into the Fiennes family, and the owners increased in wealth and power. Roger Fiennes distinguished himself fighting for King Henry V at the Battle of Agincourt, providing the king with eight men at arms and twenty four archers.

Sir Roger Fiennes went on to become Treasurer of the Household of Henry VI, and in 1441 began construction of the castle. This is one of the first major brick buildings (today it is the oldest brick building of any note still standing in England) and was years ahead of its time in other respects, with concentration more on grandeur and comfort than on defence.

The family fortunes are interesting and varied, but in 1708 the last Lord Dacre, Earl of Sussex, was forced to sell Herstmonceux Castle. By the end of this century the owner, Robert Hare had demolished much of the interior and used the bricks to create Herstmonceux Place.

The castle fell into ruin until 1910 when it was bought by Lt. Col. Claude Lowther who used local craftsmen to carry out the building work, and by 1912 most of the South front was rebuilt.

Col Lowther was responsible for much of the present design and for installing a number of pieces of fine woodwork and panelling purchased from other great historic houses in England, including Theobalds, the home of William Cecil, Lord Burghley.

After Col. Lowther's death in 1929, Sir Paul Latham contributed greatly to the construction of the castle both internally and externally. In 1946 he sold it to the Admiralty who bought the estate for the Royal Greenwich Observatory, and it became an important scientific institution for the next 40 years.

In 1993 Herstmonceux Castle was acquired by Queen's University of Canada through the generosity of Drs Alfred and Isabel Bader, and is now an International Study Centre attracting students from around the world.

It was during a visit to their Sussex home that Drs Alfred and Isabel Bader chanced on an advertisement offering Herstmonceux Castle for sale. Their vision and support brings students from all over the world to study within the beauty Gardens and Grounds of Herstmonceux Castle.