Michelham Priory House & Gardens
Set on its very own island on the Cuckmere Valley, an ancient house formed from an Augustine Priory.
Upper Dicker, East Sussex, BN27 3QS
Facilities
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Accessible loos
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Accessible parking
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Bike storage facilities
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Cafe / restaurant
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Facilities for children
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Free parking
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Mostly wheelchair accessible
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Pet friendly
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Picnic area
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Shop
– The gardens, ground floor of the house, cafe, barn and courtyard area are all accessible.
– Sensory tours available by prior arrangement.
– Assistance dogs are welcome across the whole property.
– Access aids include loan wheelchairs, a dedicated disabled toilet and ramps where necessary.
Dogs
We welcome dogs at Michelham Priory House & Gardens. Due to the historic nature of the site and the wildlife that calls these places home, we ask that you keep dogs on short leads at all times, there will also be some Dog Free Zones.
Discover the enchanting Michelham Priory House & Gardens, the perfect family day out, featuring England’s longest medieval moat and a rich history spanning over eight hundred years.
Visitors can explore hands-on historical displays within the house and gatehouse, showcasing everything from a Victorian kitchen to a WWII evacuee’s bedroom, offering an immersive glimpse into different eras.
Roam around seven acres of stunning gardens adorned with seasonal blooms, vegetable, kitchen and herb gardens, sculptures and more.
Children will delight in the playground and dressing-up activities, sparking their imaginations with historical costumes. Adults can unwind and enjoy homemade treats at the café, which serves a variety of hot and cold food throughout the day.
Established in 1229 by Augustinian canons, the Priory has evolved through centuries, including Tudor dissolution and wartime refuge, now standing as a testament to its storied past.
Michelham Priory offers a delightful blend of history, nature, family-friendly activities and special events, ensuring there’s something for everyone to enjoy.
Important information: opening info is generated by artificial intelligence; check specific attraction details before travelling.
The indicator above will show ‘open’ when the public have any kind of access to any part of this property. That could be the park, a shop, or a special event, and may not reflect regular admission times to the main attraction. Always consult the website of the house or garden you intend to visit before travelling to check that the attraction you are interested in is open.
Below is a detailed summary of the opening times and events for various historic sites and attractions in Sussex:
Michelham Priory House & Gardens
Opening Times: Open Wednesday to Sunday. Specific hours are not mentioned in the text.
Special Events:
- Traditional Tudor Wassail: Held on 10 January 2026. There are two sessions: Family Wassail (2:45 PM to 5:00 PM) and Adult-only Wassail (6:00 PM to 9:00 PM). Tickets are required, and parking must be pre-booked.
Anne of Cleves House
Opening Times: Open on 20 and 21 December 2025 from 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM.
Fishbourne Roman Palace & Gardens
Opening Times: Open on Saturdays and Sundays. Specific hours are not mentioned in the text.
Special Events:
- Christmas Through Time: Held on 20 December 2025 from 10:00 AM to 3:00 PM. Included with general admission.
- February Half Term: From 16 to 20 February 2026, open from 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM.
Lewes Castle & Museum
Special Events:
- Jacomo Jester's Christmas Trail: From 13 December 2025 to 4 January 2026, open from 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM.
The Long Man of Wilmington
Opening Times: Free to explore at any time.
Attenborough Centre for the Creative Arts
Special Events:
- Long Man Lecture 2026: Held on 26 March 2026. Doors open at 6:30 PM, and the talk is from 7:30 PM to 9:00 PM.
Historic Houses members visit for free.
House and grounds
Adult £13
Child/Student (5-17) £6.50
Senior £12.00
Family (2 adults + up to 4 children) £32
Family (1 adult + up to 3 children) £22
Under 5s Free
Essential Carer Free
Free admission does not apply at special events. Please contact Michelham Priory in advance if you are unsure.
There is no facility for pre-booking for members, please arrive on the day with your membership cards.
Groups of 10 or more receive a discounted admission price when booked in advance.
Guided house or garden tours can also be arranged prior to your visit. We are also able to pre-book meals or refreshments in the cafe. Group bookings can take place during normal opening hours or as private whole site hire.
The friendly education team offer a wide range of customised activity days enabling children to discover the past using drama, hands on activities, challenges, costumes, tours, and artefact handling.
For more information, please see our website
Phone: 01323 844224
Email:[email protected]
– The gardens, ground floor of the house, cafe, barn and courtyard area are all accessible.
– Sensory tours available by prior arrangement.
– Assistance dogs are welcome across the whole property.
– Access aids include loan wheelchairs, a dedicated disabled toilet and ramps where necessary.
Dogs
We welcome dogs at Michelham Priory House & Gardens. Due to the historic nature of the site and the wildlife that calls these places home, we ask that you keep dogs on short leads at all times, there will also be some Dog Free Zones.
Getting here
Upper Dicker, East Sussex, BN27 3QS
8 miles North West of Eastbourne off the A22/A27.
The nearest train station is at Polegate. Please be aware that there is no direct bus to the site.
Find the exact address on what3words:
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Michelham Priory: In Pictures
Photography credit: Sussex Past
Looking to visit Michelham Priory?
The gardens of Michelham Priory are open to the public between February and November each year, with the house itself opening in mid-May. During the Christmas period, the house and gardens are open only during weekends. Further information can be found under ‘Opening Times’ above. You can pre-book a ticket to visit Michelham Priory via their website here, and of course Historic Houses members can visit for free when showing their membership card.
If you’re interested in joining Historic Houses as a member, you can find out more about membership below. Members enjoy free access to almost three hundred independently owned historic houses across the UK for free using their membership card, as well as a quarterly magazine and monthly online lectures about the houses.
Other houses members can visit nearby
Glynde Place
Glynde, Lewes, East Sussex, BN8 6SX
Firle Place
Lewes, East Sussex, BN8 6LP
Pashley Manor Gardens
Ticehurst, East Sussex, TN5 7HE
Become a Historic Houses member
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Hundreds of the most beautiful historic houses, castles, and gardens across Britain offer our members free entry.
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