Winchelsea Court Hall Museum

Winchelsea Court Hall Museum stands in the ancient town of Winchelsea, East Sussex. The building itself is one of the oldest in the town, though much of its current structure dates from the 19th century. A 15th-century crown-post roof and a medieval chimney remain from the original construction. The museum occupies the first floor, where the old courtroom once held sessions. The ground floor still serves as a meeting place for the local council. The museum tells the story of Winchelsea through maps, models, pottery and other displays. Wall panels list every mayor of the town from 1295 onwards, showing how its leadership has changed over seven centuries. Founded in 1950, the collection began with photographs of Winchelsea donated by Hastings Corporation. Later additions include objects linked to the Cinque Ports and items uncovered by archaeological digs. Visitors climb to the first-floor courtroom to see the exhibits arranged around the historic space. Models of ships and buildings recall Winchelsea’s past as a key port. Pottery fragments from medieval households sit beside photographs showing how the town looked in earlier times. The ground floor’s council chamber remains in regular use, giving the building a living connection to its origins.