Susex Group Visit to Herstmonceux Castle and the Observatory Science Centre

Event details

Wednesday 18 September, 10.30am - 4pm 

Join the Sussex Group on a visit to two structures of National Importance – Herstmonceux Castle and the Observatory Science Centre, formerly used by the Royal Greenwich Observatory. 

The visit to Herstmonceux Castle will involve looking at the current repairs and the conservation of the southern gatehouse. The tour will include an overview of the current work being undertaken by the stone masons and our committee member Lisa Fisher, as well as a brief look at the interior of the castle. 

The afternoon visit will take us to the Observatory Science Centre, which is based in the historic Equatorial Group of telescopes, formerly used by the Royal Greenwich Observatory (RGO) but now run as an educational and tourist facility by Science Projects Ltd.

We will be given a short talk by Steve Pizzey, formerly the Director (now consultant) about this important site. Our committee member, Ashley Brown, will give an overview about the importance of the planning history of the RGO site. There will be free time after the talks to visit the centre. 

You will need 

This visit involves climbing scaffolding so you will need to have sturdy shoes and a head for heights; please bring a high-vis jacket and a hard hat if you have one. 

Lunch can be purchased at the tearoom on the day or you can bring your own picnic and enjoy the splendid gardens to the rear of the castle. 

How to get there

Polegate train station is the nearest train station. You will need to arrange a taxi to the castle from there.   

For car drivers, the address is: Herstmonceux Castle, Wartling Road, Hailsham, East Sussex, BN27 1RN. Sat Nav may take you down Church Road but you will not be able to access the estate from this side. 

The castle can be approached via the Wartling Road from the south or north side, look for the brown signs from the north side only on the A271. From the south, look for the petrol station at the Pevensey roundabout on the A27 and turn north. 

Accessibility

This visit will include significant periods of standing and walking, sometimes on uneven surfaces. We will also be climbing scaffolding.  

Anything we can do to make this event more accessible for you? Please email membership@spab.org.uk.

We may take photos or videos at this event to be used in future promotion, including in print and online.

All bookings are subject to our Terms and Conditions. 

Photo: Image: 6mat1 via English Wikipedia (CC BY SA 3.0)