Sussex Group visit to The Archbishops' Palace

Event details

Friday, 18 July 2025 10am 

A unique opportunity to visit the Archbishops' Palace in Mayfield where we will have talks and a guided tour by Dr Joanna Weddell, Head of History of Art at Mayfield School and Tim Cornish, local historian and author.

We will hear why this early 14th century Palace of the Archbishops of Canterbury was established in a remote part of the High Weald when Mayfield village hardly existed. We will learn how this wonderful Grade I Listed building, described by Pevsner as one of the most spectacular medieval halls in England, was later converted by EW Pugin to a Convent Chapel (1864-65), still its current use by Mayfield School.

Copies of ‘Medieval Mayfield – Archbishops and Peasants ‘ by the author and speaker Tim Cornish, priced £30, will be available for purchase on the day.

You will need

No PPE required.
Most of the tour is on level access but there are steps and uneven surfaces.
Please make it known if you would like to reserve a parking space on the school site for mobility issues.
 

How to get there

The Palace
High Street, Mayfield
TN20 6PH

Limited car parking is available outside Mayfield School Reception and in front of the Chapel but otherwise in the village car park off South Street. Please make it known if you would like to reserve a parking space on the school site for mobility issues. Car parks are located at the eastern end of Mayfield High Street.

Accessibility

The walking tour may have limited access to facilities or seating.

Anything we can do to make this event more accessible for you? Please email membership@spab.org.uk.

We may take photos or videos at this event to be used in future promotion, including in print and online.

All bookings are subject to our Terms and Conditions.

Image credit: Tim Cornish, A reconstruction of Mayfield’s Archbishops' Palace, c1450