Lewes Castle & Museum

The castle sits high above Lewes town centre, a proper landmark you can spot from miles around. It's a Norman motte-and-bailey fort - so two defensive mounds connected by a bridge - and honestly, the walk up rewards you with genuinely good views across the South Downs. The museum bit is housed in the barbican, a chunky medieval gatehouse that's far more interesting than it sounds. Inside you'll find local history covering everything from Roman times through to the Civil War, when this area saw proper action. Lewes was actually a Roundhead stronghold, and the museum doesn't shy away from that. Most people spend a couple of hours here - the castle itself doesn't take long to explore, but the museum can pull you in if you're into Sussex history. It's not a massive operation, which is partly why it works. Families with older kids will get more from it than those with toddlers; there's climbing involved and not much here to occupy under-eights. Free admission is standard for the castle grounds, though there's usually a small charge for the museum. The town of Lewes itself is worth a proper wander - independent shops, decent pubs, and a genuine High Street that hasn't been entirely homogenised. If you're staying at one of the nearby campsites like Chalky Downs or Blackberry Wood, this is an obvious half-day job. The walk from town takes about fifteen minutes. Go on a clear day or you'll get nothing from the views.