Pictures of Lewes

About Lewes

This very pleasant town grew up on the River Ouse. It developed on a hillside between the gap of the river and a Norman Castle built to guard that part of the South Downs. Of the great castle all that remains are the Keep and Barbican.

Georgian shops line the High Street and the streets of the old town rise steeply and are interlinked by a series of narrow passage-ways, known locally as, twittens.

Lewes is the boyhood home of the famous diarist, John Evelyn (1620 - 1706) He lived at Southover Grange, an Elizabethan house, which is close to the castle. In Southover High Street you can see the house which King HenryVIII gave to Anne of Cleeves, following their divorce in 1540. It is now an interesting museum.

The South Downs Way passes close-by and there is plenty of wildlife to be seen throughout the area. Lewes is a delightful town that offer much to the visitor.