A timber-framed hall house built in the 15th century for the Priory of St. Pancras in Lewes, The Priest House was seized by Henry VIII in 1538 and belonged in turn to Thomas Cromwell, Anne of Cleves, Mary I and Elizabeth I. Central chimneys and a fine Horsham stone roof were added in the 16th century to create a substantial yeoman farmer's house.
The Priest House opened as a museum in 1908 and contains a varied collection of 17th and 18th century country furniture, ironwork, textiles and other domestic bygones, displayed in furnished rooms. Temporary exhibitions also take place throughout the season.
Standing in the beautiful surroundings of a traditional cottage garden, the house is the only example of its kind open to the public in the Weald.
The colourful cottage garden includes exuberant mixed borders of herbaceous perennials, shrubs and wild flowers, and features over 170 culinary, medicinal and household herbs.
