Pevensey Court House Museum and Gaol

About the museum

Pevensey has had a court house and gaol since Tudor times, although the origin of the present building is uncertain. It also served as the town hall. The timber ceiling of the court room is mainly 17th century, while the entrance porch, exercise yard, prison cells and adjacent robing room were added around 1830, when the building needed urgent upgrading.

The court furniture, including the dock, remains in place as it was last used in 1886, when the Corporation of Pevensey ceased to exist. The museum shows the town's corporation seals from about 1230, the oldest surviving Cinque Ports seals, a replica of the 1207 charter of King John and a full-size embroidered replica of the Pevensey scene from the Bayeux Tapestry. The gaol cells include a 16th-century window, a prisoner's inscription of 1822 and displays about escaped prisoners and Betty Breach, the last prisoner, in 1887. The museum is run by the Pevensey Town Trust and also covers Roman Anderitum, smuggling and Pevensey's role as a port.

Highlights

• Court room with the dock, preserved as last used in 1886
• Corporation seals from about 1230, the oldest surviving Cinque Ports seals
• Prison cells, exercise yard and a plague doctor display
• Full-size embroidered replica of the Pevensey scene from the Bayeux Tapestry
• Discovery trail for children

Permanent exhibitions

• Old Court Room – The court room with its dock as last used in 1886, the Cinque Ports seals, a charter facsimile and a Bayeux Tapestry replica.
• Gaol cells and exercise yard – Prison cells with a 16th-century window, a plague doctor display and stories of escaped prisoners and the last prisoner in 1887.
• Robing Room – The town's official weights, measures and scales, a corn dolly collection and blacksmith's tools from a local forge.

Founded

1968

Operated by

Pevensey Town Trust

Admission & discounts

Admission is free.

Entry is free all year.

Accessibility

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Activity booklet, scavenger hunt or kids’ audio guide

Children can follow a discovery trail with a dinosaur footprint and a rat trail. Children under 16 must be accompanied by an adult.

Getting there & parking

The museum is on the High Street in Pevensey, about 50 metres from Pevensey Castle.

Amenities & dining

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Plan your visit