Michelham Priory

 Michelham Priory

Michelham Priory is a very beautiful historic property nestling deep in the Sussex countryside and offers much to interest visitors – history, exhibits, superbly kept gardens, art exhibitions, wildlife, working watermill. There is a well-stocked Gift Shop and a self-service restaurant.

Boasting England’s longest medieval water-filled moat, Michelham Priory’s "Island of History" reflects its nearly 800 year existence. The house dates back to 1229 when the Priory was founded and was lived in by Augustinian canons until the Dissolution in 1537. After this time, the Church of the Holy Trinity was destroyed and the house underwent various transformations including the addition of an extensive Tudor wing. The range of furniture and artefacts on display trace the property’s religious origins through its life as a working farm and its development as a country house. Exhibits include tapestries, furniture (including some made in the 1920’s/1930’s specifically for the then owner), kitchen equipment and a fully furnished 18th Century child’s bedroom.

The annual Garden Sculpture Trail features works by local artists and are specially selected for their merit and their ability to complement the garden.

The Watermill on the property was refurbished with the assistance of grants obtained from the Heritage Lottery Fund, East Sussex County Council and The Friends of Michelham Priory.

The earliest documentary evidence shows there was milling at Michelham from 1434.  It was probably going on before this, but we have no written proof of it.  Monasteries and Priories built alongside a water course would invariably incorporate milling into their structure of self-sufficiency where possible.
 
The Mill at Michelham has been restored twice in the last century, both times financed in the main by donation and volunteer help.  The most recent restoration was completed almost 8 years ago and was part Lottery funded.  Volunteers undertook a lot of the work and the Mill is now operated by a team of volunteer staff who are justly proud of the fine flour they produce from organic grain.  During the open season, as long as a minimum of three volunteers are on duty, milling takes place every afternoon from 2.00 pm until closing.  As well as milling, bagging and selling the flour, the volunteers are on hand to guide visitors over the three floors of the building.  They also man a stall on the first Saturday of every month at the Lewes Farmers Market where the flour, and the Priory-baked bread and cakes, are proving ever more popular.
 
If you are interested in mechanics, the history or dietary aspects of milling - or even if you think you aren't! - you cannot fail to be intrigued by the way this age-old method outshines the modern when it comes to flour production - a delicious additive-free product from a non-polluting, renewable energy source.
 
Just standing in the building when the mill is running is a thrilling experience and children particularly enjoy trying their hand at grinding some flour for themselves in our Quern and many are now so taken with it that they regularly revisit.


VISITORS INFORMATION:

Michelham Priory & Gardens
Opening Times - 2010
Open to the public from March the 1st until the 31st of October.
The property closes  to the public during the winter months,apart from  the catering  department which continues to provide a service for weddings and parties.

Every Saturday during the open season,which is usually from March the 1st to November the 1st,the Michelham Bowmen ,dedicated to the use of the longbow,and in full medieval costume, practise on the South Lawn behind the main house from noon until the property closes.


Disabled access is good for most of the site.
The upstairs floors of the main house are only accessible on foot, but the ground floor is disabled-friendly.
The main grounds and restaurant are accessible with a wheelchair, apart from the area outside the "moated island", access to which is over a small bridge; wheelchairs are not recommended in this area.
Michelham Priory have a dedicated disabled toilet in the catering complex, next to the Great Barn.

Reaching Michelham Priory:
Michelham Priory is situated in Upper Dicker approximately two miles west of Hailsham and eight miles north west of Eastbourne.
Brown heritage signs from the A22 and A27 will help direct you.  From Brighton, use the A27 to the Alfriston roundabout and take the Upper Dicker exit. 
From Tunbridge Wells use the A267 or from Hastings and Bexhill use the A271 and turn on to the A22 at Hailsham in the London direction.  Shortly after the Boship roundabout, take the left turn signposted to Upper Dicker. 
Berwick and Polegate railway stations are both around three miles from the site.


Michelham Priory & Gardens
Upper Dicker,
near Hailsham,
East Sussex,
BN27 3QS

 All children under the age of 16 must be accompanied by an adult, this includes event days.
 

 
Events: