Churches and Chapels in Lewes-There place in social and political history.

Lewes has a rich heritage of historic churches and independent chapels that have profoundly shaped the social, civic, and political life of the county town over the centuries. From medieval monastic powerhouses to hotbeds of 18th-century radical non-conformity, these sacred spaces acted as catalysts for local governance, free thought, and community reform. These themes and the architectural qualities of the buildings will be explored.

The walk will be led by Dr Sue Berry, formerly a Principal Lecturer in a University. She has been a trustee of two national and one regional heritage charity. A Fellow of the Royal Historical Society and of the Society of Antiquaries. Sue is a lecturer and researcher in the 18th and 19th century, specialising in landscape change. She has published many historical articles in research journals which include those of the Georgian Group, Garden History Society, and the Sussex Archaeological Society. These have mainly focussed on the development of Georgian and Victorian period in Sussex.

Timings

Sunday 13 September:

14.00

Location & directions

Lewes House, 32 High Street, Lewes, East Sussex, BN7 2LX

Directions:

The walk starts from Lewes House situated at 32 High Street, on the south side of the High Street, just below the war memorial. Participants are asked to go through Lewes House to the garden where the leader of the walk and stewards will be there to greet you. There are toilets at Lewes House and refreshments are being served by the Lewes House Garden Group. Within the house there are exhibitions prepared by the Friends of Lewes about its work in the town and also Lewes History Group who have an exhibition about its activities and a display showing the results of street stories work undertaken by its members, some of which will reflect the theme of the festival.

Contact on day:

Peter Earl

Telephone number:

+447772031269

Booking information

Pre-booking requirement:

Pre-booking required

Booking conditions:

There is a high demand for all the walking tours organised as part of the Lewes Heritage Open Days Festival. Should you find that you are unable to participate in a particular walk or tour please cancel your booking ASAP. Out of respect to the leader of the walk and the organisers, if you find you are unable to join the walk on the day please get a message to the organisers so that your place can be offered to others.

Booking contact name:

Peter Earl

Booking telephone number:

+447772031269

Booking website:

https://friends-of-lewes.org.uk/hod2026/

Booking opens:

20 Aug 2026 09:00 AM

Booking closes:

12 Sep 2026 12:00 AM

Accessibility details

Some steep, uneven surfaces on the walk, which will include public footways adjacent to busy highways. The walk will take up to one hour. Appropriate clothing, depending on the prevailing weather at the time. Bus stops serving the 28 and 29 bus routes (serving Brighton, Heathfield, Uckfield, Tunbridge Wells, Eastbourne, Crowborough and Hailsham are located close by in the High Street

Additional information

Max number of people:

15

Estimated duration:

1 hour(s) 0 minute(s)

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