Michelham Priory House & Gardens

Explore 800 years of history at Michelham Priory House and Gardens, set on a picturesque moated island.

Founded by Augustinian canons in 1229, the site is steeped in history. During Tudor times the site suffered destruction caused by the dissolution of the monasteries, and in World War Two it was home to evacuees and the Canadian Army.

There are fascinating displays of furniture and artefacts, set in rooms reflecting different periods of Michelham Priory’s rich history. These include an historic kitchen and the World War Two evacuees’ bedroom. Children will enjoy the hands-on activities and outfits to try on.

Outdoors there are seven acres of beautiful grounds and buildings to explore including: the Elizabethan Great Barn; medieval gatehouse; and the kitchen, physic and medieval herb gardens.

There’s plenty inside and out to entertain the whole family for the day.

The delightful on-site Blue Door Cafe is open serving fresh, flavourful food made using ingredients from some of the area’s top-quality suppliers. No admission ticket needed to visit the cafe.

Take a walk around the moat, feed our resident ducks, explore the sculptures in the grounds and let off steam at the children’s play area.

We also have a number of special events coming up. Click here to find out more.

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Michelham Priory Admission Prices

Adult	£13.95
Child (aged 5 to 17) / Student	£6.95
Senior (65+)	£13.00
Family (1 adult + up to 3 children)	£24.00
Family (2 adults + up to 4 children)	£35.50
Under 5s	Free
Essential Carer	Free
Members of The Sussex Archaeological Society	Free

Please note, essential carers must be accompanied by a paying visitor.

Gift Aid the cost of admission to our sites and receive free entry for 12 months.

Select “Add Gift Aid” at checkout or speak to our Front of House teams on arrival. For full details, click here to visit our Gift Aid page.

Group visits

Private, educational and group visits are possible on a pre-booked basis. Please email adminmich@sussexpast.co.uk to check availability and pricing.

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1st April to 5th October – Tuesday to Sunday, 10am to 5pm

7th October – 30th November – Thursday to Sunday, 10am to 4pm

Special opening hours:
Open on August Bank Holiday Monday – 25th August

Please note the site will be closed on the following dates due to private events:
2^nd August, 9^th August, 16^th August, 6^th September, 13^th September, 17^th September, 20^th September, 27^th September

Last admission is 45 minutes before closure.

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Michelham Priory House and Gardens are located in Upper Dicker, near Hailsham and Eastbourne.

Getting here

There is no direct public transport to the site, so you’ll need to visit by car, bike or hike. The site is 8 miles north-west of Eastbourne off the A22/A27.

Accessibility

General access: Gardens, ground floor of the house, barn and courtyard area are all accessible. Wheelchair ramps provided where necessary. 3D virtual tours of the upstairs of the property are available via tablets on site – please ask

Parking: There are dedicated parking spaces for visitors displaying a Blue Badge.

Access aids: We have a range of equipment available including loan wheelchairs and mobility scooters.

Sensory tours: Available by prior arrangement.

Assistance dogs: Welcome.

Toilets: Disabled toilet on site

Food and drink

The delightful on-site Blue Door Cafe is open serving fresh, flavourful food made using ingredients from some of the area’s top-quality suppliers. No admission ticket needed to visit the cafe.

Gifts and shopping

Stop by The Dovecote Gift Shop to browse gifts and souvenirs of your visit. We have a lovely range of hand-selected products, plus plants grown right here at the Priory.

Dogs

We love seeing your four-legged friends but there are restrictions in place (except for assistance dogs).

– Grounds only – To preserve the historic nature of the site, dogs are only permitted in the grounds, not the buildings

– Short-lead at all times – We are home to lots of wildlife, so dogs must be well-behaved and kept on a short lead at all times

Assistance dogs welcome – Assistance dogs are permitted across the whole property and during events.

Group bookings

Are you looking to book for a group of 10 or more? We offer discounted rates for each of our properties. Discover more about our offer by reading our groups brochure here.

To make a group booking contact the team at Michelham Priory by calling call 01323 844224 or email adminmich@sussexpast.co.uk.

Special events

We also have a number of special events and talks coming up. Visit our What’s On page to find out more.

Address: Michelham Priory, Upper Dicker, Hailsham BN27 3QS

Phone: 01323 844224

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Set within the historic beauty of Michelham Priory, The Blue Door Café is your new go-to spot for delicious homemade food, expertly brewed barista coffee, and sweet treats – just in time for spring. Run by Bryony Basden, the café proudly celebrates the best of Sussex, using locally sourced ingredients in every dish. Expect pastries from Coburn & Baker, rich coffee by Craft House Coffee, hand-blended Sussex Ice Cream, Mamoosh breads and dips, and indulgent chocolate from J.Cocoa.

The café is a beautiful, warm, rustic-vintage space that feels both stylish and welcoming. There’s a charming Kids’ Corner to keep little ones entertained, and dogs are always welcome – with treats on hand for your four-legged friends. While you’re there, browse the curated retail corner featuring local artwork, vintage homeware, handmade chocolates, scented candles, and the café’s own Blue Door Granola.

All guests can pick up a Loyalty Card for future rewards.

The café is open to everyone – no admission ticket to the Priory required – making it the perfect meeting spot for friends and family, or even a relaxed celebration.

Open Tuesday to Sunday from 10am to 4pm (including Bank Holidays).

Blue Door Cafe

Throughout the year, Michelham Priory House & Gardens hold a fantastic range of events, from children’s school holiday fun, outdoor cinema and theatre, historical events and lots more.

What’s On

27th June – The Tempest

Click the links above to find out more, or visit our What’s On page to see events across Sussex.

Bride and groom walking down the wedding aisle with guests throwing colourful confetti in front of them

Celebrate Your Special Moments at Michelham Priory House and Gardens

Discover the perfect venue for your most cherished occasions. Michelham Priory House and Gardens offers a stunning and historic setting for:

Weddings: Create unforgettable memories with a fairy-tale wedding in our picturesque surroundings.
Birthday and anniversary parties: Celebrate your milestones in style, surrounded by the beauty and history of our venue.
Celebrations of life: Celebrate the life of your loved ones against the tranquil surroundings of Michelham Priory House & Gardens.
From corporate events to family reunions, our versatile spaces cater to all your needs.

With enchanting gardens, historic architecture, and exceptional service, Michelham Priory House and Gardens is the ideal location to make your event truly special.

Find out more about weddings

Book your special event today

Get in touch to start planning your unforgettable event at Michelham Priory House and Gardens.

Michelham Priory, an 800-year-old historic site set on a peaceful moated island, offers volunteers the chance to help preserve and share its rich heritage – from its origins as a 13th-century Augustinian priory to its roles through Tudor times and World War II.

Join our active team and contribute by welcoming visitors, assisting with heritage tasks, or hands-on maintenance, while gaining valuable experience and enjoying free entry to all Sussex Past sites.

Find out more about volunteering with us

"Incredibly stunning place. You get a medieval feel and can imagine being there as a King. They have done well to keep it like this and would highly recommend"

TheoB via Tripadvisor - Lewes Castle

“A Trip Back in Time. Fascinating history of the Roman Palace. Well explained. Lots to see in the museum and the remains. Incredible detail in the layout of the Palace.”

Sue A via Tripadvisor - Fishbourne Roman Palace

“Go Visit NOW! The gardens are genuinely some of the most beautiful we’ve seen. We are going back soon.”

HorshamLass via Tripadvisor - Michelham Priory

“This was such an interesting place to come to. You could really feel the history of this place.”

Fifi582014 via Tripadvisor - The Priest House and Gardens

Michelham Priory House & Gardens

Explore 800 years of history at Michelham Priory House and Gardens, set on a picturesque moated island.

Michelham Priory Admission Prices

Group visits

Michelham Priory House and Gardens are located in Upper Dicker, near Hailsham and Eastbourne.

Getting here

Accessibility

Food and drink

Gifts and shopping

Dogs

Group bookings

Special events

What’s On

Celebrate Your Special Moments at Michelham Priory House and Gardens

Book your special event today

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