was rarely a comfortable place to live, but was home and fortress for the Lord and his family....the romantic notion that castles were complete with knights, fair maidens and the 'great hall' buzzing with music, dancing and feasts is not a true reflection of daily life in the 15th century. Most castles were built for protection rather than luxury and were dark, cold places; although in times of celebration, such as weddings, visiting nobles and holiday festivities, the castle was decorated with tapestries, elaborate silks and linens and the towers and doorways with brightly coloured flags.
Herstmonceux Castle, one of the first brick buildings in England, was designed more with concentration on grandeur and comfort than defence. The name 'Herstmonceux' stems from the 12th century marriage of Ingelgram de Monceux, a Norman nobleman and the Saxon Lady of the Manor, Idonea de Herst.
At the end of the 15th Century the then owner, Robert Hare, demolished most of the castle, using the bricks to build nearby Herstmonceux Place. The castle remained a ruin until 1911 when it was bought by Lt. Col. Claude Lowther. By 1912 most of the south front was reconstructed and in 1932 Sir Paul Latharn purchased it and completed the restoration. In 1946 the Admiralty bought the estate for the Royal Greenwich Observatory and it became an important scientific institution during the next 40 years. The Observatory moved to Cambridge in 1988, and the castle remained void until acquired by Queen's University, Canada in 1993 with funds provided by the Doctors Bader. It is now home to the University's International Study Centre.
Herstmonceux Castle hosts private celebrations and events throughout the year. The grounds and gardens are open to the public from April to October. Take a peaceful stroll around the beautiful Elizabethan Walled Gardens and discover the delights of the Rose Garden. Walk onwards to the 1930s Georgian Folly to admire the sheer magnificence of this beautiful estate.
Visit the castle museum and learn more of the history of this magnificent building. See Site Map for location.
All Saints Church, situated a few minutes walk through castle West Gate, is open over the bank holiday weekend to all visitors who may wish to take a look around. Much of the church is medieval and contains a brass of Sir William Fiennes, complete in armour, the father of Roger Fiennes who began to rebuild the castle.
