Pevensey Castle
Pevensey, East Sussex
Roman walls 500 metres long standing almost full height, enclosing a huge grassy space that gives your dog room to really walk.
Pevensey covers seventeen centuries of defending the same piece of coast. It began around AD 290 as the largest of the Roman Saxon Shore forts, and its walls, more than 500 metres long, still stand almost to full height, which is extraordinary for Roman work in Britain. William the Conqueror landed here in 1066 and threw up a fortress inside the Roman circuit. In 1940 the whole thing was quietly recommissioned, and there are concrete machine gun posts built into the ancient masonry, deliberately disguised.
While you hunt down the machine gun posts and work through the medieval castle inside, your dog gets one of the better big sites: the Roman enclosure is a huge grassy space with room to really walk, and the outer circuit takes a while.
Dogs on leads are welcome throughout the site. Free on-street parking is available in Westham and Pevensey, plus a 50 space pay and display nearby. There is a café, shop, toilets, exhibition, gardens and picnic seating. The Pevensey Levels behind the castle are a good bird watching walk if you want to extend the day.
At a Glance
- Dog Access
- On-lead in the grounds
- Dogs on leads are welcome throughout the site.
- Site Type
- Castle & Fort
- Entry
- £9.35 adult
- £4.67 child · £23.37 family
- Members
- Free for English Heritage members
- Facilities
- Café / restaurant, Exhibition, Gardens, Parking, Picnic seating, Shop, Toilets, Wheelchair access
- Telephone
- 01323 762604
- Parking
- Free on street parking is available in Westham and Pevensey. A pay and display public car park containing 50 spaces is located approx 300m from the castle entrance. (Not managed by English Heritage)
English Heritage Membership
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Planning Your Visit
- Monday
- Closed
- Tuesday
- Closed
- Wednesday
- 10:00 - 17:00
- Thursday
- 10:00 - 17:00
- Friday
- 10:00 - 17:00
- Saturday
- 10:00 - 17:00
- Sunday
- 10:00 - 17:00
Opening times and prices were checked on 26 August 2026 and are subject to change, and some sites close for events or over winter. Confirm on the English Heritage site page before you travel.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Pevensey Castle dog friendly?
Yes, dogs are welcome throughout Pevensey Castle, as long as they're kept on a lead. It's a genuinely good site for dogs — the Roman enclosure is a vast grassy space that gives them real room to roam, and the outer circuit of the walls adds a decent bit of walking on top.
Are dogs allowed at Pevensey Castle year round?
The listing confirms dogs are welcome at the site, though it doesn't specify any seasonal restrictions. It's always worth checking directly with English Heritage before visiting, particularly around any special events that might affect access.
What should I know before visiting Pevensey Castle with my dog?
Keep your dog on a lead throughout the site. Parking is a mix of free on-street spaces in Westham and Pevensey, and a 50-space pay and display car park around 300 metres from the entrance — note that car park isn't managed by English Heritage. There's a café, picnic seating, and toilets on site, and if you want to extend the day, the Pevensey Levels behind the castle make for a good walk with good birdwatching.
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