LOCATION

2 m E Hailsham, East Sussex, off A22

Michelham Priory is set on a medieval moated island and surrounded by delightful gardens.  The Priory of the Holy Trinity was founded in 1229 by Gilbert d'Aquila.

The original buildings consisted of a cruciform church with a cloister to the south, the Chapter House on the east side of the cloister, the Kitchen and Refectory to the south and dormitories (over the cellars) to the west. 

In 1388 the threat of French raids led Prior Leem to surround the Priory and its immediate grounds with a moat and build a gatehouse.  The Priory was dissolved in 1537 and the church and the east cloister range were immediately pulled down for their building materials. 

John Foote purchased the Priory in 1556 and transformed the south and west cloister ranges into a house.  In 1587 the Priory was acquired by Herbert Pelham, an ironfounder and landowner. 

He replaced Foote's work with a new stone wing but ran out of money and was forced to sell the property in 1599.  The Priory was purchased by Thomas Sackville, later 1st Earl of Dorset, and the Sackville family owned the freehold for the next 300 years. 

The Sackvilles let the Priory to a succession of tenant farmers and barns and farm buildings were gradually built around the house.  In the late 19th century a corn mill was added to the site but the house itself fell into a decline.   In 1896 the Priory was bought James Eglington Gwynne who set about restoring the medieval buildings. 

After 1924 the well-known conservationist architect Walter Godfry carried out further restoration and in 1959 the Priory was given to the Sussex Archaeological Society.  The Society has continued the renovation and the corn mill is now in full working order.    

The house is approached across the bridge and through the gatehouse.  These were constructed between 1388 - 90.  The 13th century church and cloister stood to the north of the present house and their walls can be seen marked out in the grass. 

The long range stands on the site of south cloister and the taller building added by Herbert Pelham to the west.  The short wing facing north is of 13th century masonry.  This contains the Prior's Chamber above a vaulted Undercroft.  From here a 13th century vaulted passageway (know as The Slype) leads into the Hallway.  This was part of Herbert Pelham additions of the 1590s.   The Kitchen and Picture Gallery were created from the Prior's Refectory which had an open timber roof.  Pelham inserted floors, walls, chimneys and new windows but the shape of the Refectory's original large window can still be seen from the south.   The kitchen is now furnished with 18th century pieces.  The two reception rooms off the hallway have panelling from the 1920s and 17th and 18th century English furniture.  The original decoration in these rooms was ruined by a fire. 

The Michelham Priory Room on the first floor has exposed walls illustrating the house's building history.  The room also contains a display detailing the history of the Priory.  The Child's Room is set out as an 18th century children's bedroom. 

On the first floor of Pelham's wing is the Music Room which contains a fascinating collection of historic musical instruments.  The 13th century Prior's Chamber has a medieval hooded fireplace and the beamed ceiling dates from Mr Gwynne's restoration in 1896 - 97.  The room is furnished with oak furniture and the walls are hung with 17th century Brussels tapestries.

On the moated island a short distance from the house is the Elizabethan Great Barn.  This was erected in around 1600 and has a ten-bay oak-framed structure.  Beside the barn several 19th century farm-buildings form a small yard which displays a collection of Suffolk farm wagons.  There is also a Wheelwright's Shop with 19th and early 20th century equipment, a Forge and a Rope Museum.

Michelham Priory is surrounded by tranquil gardens with the moat providing beautiful reflections. 

There is a kitchen garden, a cloister garden, fine old trees and an orchard.  The physic garden is particularly intriguing.  Here the visitor can walk between the fragrant plants and read the fascinating labels.  

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