Anne of Cleves House

Over het museum

Anne of Cleves House stands on Southover High Street in Lewes. It is a Wealden hall house, a medieval timber-framed type that is traditional in the region. The early parts of the building date from the late 15th century, and grander additions were made in the 16th century. When Henry VIII ended his short marriage to Anne of Cleves in 1541, the house was part of her annulment settlement, although she never lived there.

By the early 20th century the house had become run down and had been divided into several dwellings. In 1923 its owner, Frank Verrall, gave it to the Sussex Archaeological Society on condition that the existing tenancies were not disturbed. As tenants left over the following years, the rooms they vacated were opened to visitors. The last tenants left the western range in 1934, after which repairs were carried out.

Today the house is run as a museum by the Society's trading arm, Sussex Past. Visitors can see a Tudor kitchen, a parlour and a bedroom with a four-poster bed under original timbers, together with domestic furnishings and artefacts that show Sussex life. The collections include a substantial bequest of Sussex furniture. Outside, the garden follows a traditional Tudor planting scheme of herbs, shrubs and fruit trees.

Hoogtepunten

• Furnished Tudor kitchen, parlour and bedroom with a four-poster bed
• Wealden hall house with original timber beams
• Collection of historic domestic artefacts and Sussex furniture
• Garden with Tudor-style herbs, shrubs and fruit trees
• Dressing-up clothes for visitors to try on

Vaste collectie

• Tudor interiors – A Tudor kitchen, a parlour and a bedroom with a four-poster bed show how the house may have looked in the 16th century.
• Domestic life in Sussex – A collection of historic domestic artefacts and furniture illustrates everyday life in Sussex over the centuries.

Beheerder

Sussex Archaeological Society (Sussex Past)

Toegangsprijzen & kortingen

Members of the Sussex Archaeological Society enter free. A Gift Aid ticket gives free entry for 12 months. Advance booking is recommended but not essential.

Toegankelijkheid

• Deels rolstoeltoegankelijk
• Lift: geen informatie
• Aangepast toilet: geen informatie
• Gehandicaptenparkeerplaats: geen informatie
• Hulphonden welkom
• Tastmodellen / voelbare objecten: geen informatie
• Rondleidingen in gebarentaal: geen informatie
• Informatie in eenvoudige taal: geen informatie
• Audiodescriptie: geen informatie

The house is on several levels connected by stairs, so access for wheelchair users is limited; visitors are asked to call ahead for advice. Assistance dogs are welcome throughout the house and garden; other dogs are not allowed.

Kinderen & gezin

Erg geschikt voor kinderen & gezinnen

• Doe- en voelstations

Visitors can try on dressing-up clothes and explore a Tudor kitchen, parlour and bedroom. Two family ticket types are available, and school groups can book actor-led workshops.

Bereikbaarheid & parkeren

Lewes can be reached by the A27, A26 and A275. Drivers on the A27 should enter the town from the eastern end of the bypass through the Cuilfail Tunnel.

Service & horeca

• Café
• Museumwinkel

The cafe is run by Patisserie Lewes and serves drinks, sandwiches, quiche and pastries; it is open Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday from 08:00 to 17:00 and Saturday from 09:00 to 17:00. The small shop sells books on the Tudor period, local produce and gifts. Visitors may bring a picnic to eat in the garden.

Evenementen & zaalverhuur

Het museum heeft hierover geen informatie gepubliceerd.

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