Winchelsea: Port of Stranded Pride

Winchelsea is a beautiful Sussex village built on the bones of a medieval town. It is a hidden delight for visitors to discover, but also home to an active modern community.

Medieval Town

Seven centuries ago, the new town of Winchelsea was founded by Edward I to take the place of an older town of the same name, which had been lost to the sea in a series of great storms and now lies beneath the waters of Rye Bay. The new town of Winchelsea assumed Old Winchelsea's status of Ancient Town and Head Port of the Cinque Port Confederation, a medieval alliance of Kent and Sussex ports. For over a hundred years, New Winchelsea was one of the major ports of the kingdom.

Modern village

Today, Winchelsea sits quietly on its hill, gazing across marshland at the now-distant sea: one of Kipling's ports of stranded pride. But all around this beautiful village are the evocative remnants of past glory: the Church of St Thomas the Martyr; three medieval gates standing guard against long-departed foes; and, beneath the broad streets, the hidden wine cellars of the old port town

Church of St Thomas the Martyr in Winchelsea

Tower Cottage and Strand Gate, Winchelsea

Royal Military Canal and Strand Hill, Winchelsea

Spike Milligan's grave in the churchyard in Winchelsea

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Last Updated: 01/09/10

Cellar and history tours

The Winchelsea Archaeological Society conducts guided tours of the medieval cellars under Winchelsea and other historical walks around the village. Come along to one of the scheduled public tours or arrange a special tour for your group. To book --- which is a good idea --- contact WAS by e-mail or via the Winchelsea Community Answerphone on 01797-225333. The next cellar tours are on Sunday 5 and Saturday 11 September, all at 2:30pm. See what some visitors thought last year.

A medieval wine cellar in Winchelsea

In addition to the cellar tours, there are two archaeology walks. The first is the Westside Story walk along the long-lost western suburbs and defences of the medieval town. This will take place on Sunday, 19 September, at 2:30pm. The second is the Hidden Winchelsea walk around some of the missing medieval buildings revealed by recent archaeology. There are two Hidden Winchelsea walks, both on Sunday 26 September, one at 11:00am and and the other at 2:30pm.

News from Winchelsea

For the latest local news, visit the Newsboard.

Winchelsea photogallery

View our photo gallery of some recent events in Winchelsea, including: the 2009 Winchelsea Streete Game, the 2009 Bonfire Night; the 2009 Cricket Mismatches; and the re-enactment of Wesley's last open-air sermon in October 2006.