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, the alliance of Kent and Sussex ports that were England's bulwark against invasion in the days before there was a Royal Navy. 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 wine cellars of the old port town.

Winchelsea Town Sign by John Haddock Church of St Thomas the Martyr in Winchelsea Tower Cottage and Strand Gate, Winchelsea Royal Military Canal and Strand Hill, Winchelsea Spike Milliga's grave in the churchyard in Winchelsea

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Last Updated: 29/06/09

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Guided tours of the Winchelsea cellars

5 July, Sunday, 14:30
11 July, Saturday, 14:30
1 August, Saturday, 11:00
23 August, Sunday, 11:00 and 14:30
5 September, Saturday, 11:00 and 14:30

The Westside Story walk ---across the open countryside from the New Gate to the Windmill site, looking at the traces of the abandonned defences, roads and suburbs in the west of the medieval town. Sunday, 6 September, at 2:30pm.

The Hidden Winchelsea tour --- visitors will be guided through long-gone medieval buildings (including Greyfriars and Blackfriars monasteries, and the nave of the church); in this unqiue tour, the layouts, as revealed by archaeology, will be taped out on the ground. Saturday-Sunday, 12-13 September, 11:00am and 2:30pm.

To book --- which is essential --- call the Winchelsea Community Answerphone on 01797 225333 or e-mail tours@winchelsea.net. Private tours can be arranged for groups.

Forthcoming events

adverts for Hog Roast and Shakespeare in Winchelsea

News

Get your copy of the Winchelsea Flyer (for July 2009), a newsletter listing local events and news, including planning applications, house sales and parish council news.

Read the latest ward report by the Winchelsea ward councillors;  published in the Rye Observer on 27 June 2009.

House for sale & rent in Winchelsea

Want to buy or rent a house in Winchelsea? See what's on sale and for rent. Also check out the prices at properties have already been sold. We also list holiday accommodation in and near Winchelsea.

Winchelsea photogallery

View our photo gallery of recent events in Winchelsea including: Street Games from 2006 to 2008; the 2007 Summer and 2008 Whitsun Cricket Mismatches; and the re-enactment of Wesley's last open-air sermon in October 2006.