Pevensey Castle, Castle Road, Pevensey, East Sussex BN24 5LE

The remains of the keep

Pevensey Castle was originally a Roman Saxon shore fort known as Anderitum, built circa AD290. Although it is now sited about a mile from the sea, the original build was on a peninsula surrounded by sea and marshland. The toponymy of the name confirms this. In common with other villages in the area, the ending -ey means island.

The next major occupation was during the Norman invasion in 1066. The castle was used by King Harold prior to the invasion, but left it deserted when the English army had to march north to repel the Viking invaders at Stamford Bridge. Upon landing at what is now known as Normans Bay, the Norman army set up camp in the grounds of the fort. Using the fort as a base, the Norman army pillaged and destroyed the surrounding villages, until they met up with the English army at the well known Battle of Hastings.

After the invasion, a stone keep was erected within a small bailey, within the walls of the existing Roman fort. The keep was largely destroyed in subsequent years, and no record exists as of its original appearance.

World War II gun emplacement

In more recent times, Pevensey castle was called into active service during World War II. As well as housing troops modifications were made to the castle. Disguised pillboxes and gun emplacements were built to be used in the event of an invasion.

Today, the castle is owned by English Heritage. The outer bailey wall is the original wall that surrounded the Roman fort. There is a fee to enter the Norman Inner Bailey.