Lewes, East Sussex - Tom Paine's Chapel
Min-Maximum Occupancy
2-16 champers
Westgate Chapel Community Hub, 92a High Street, Lewes, East Sussex BN7 1XH
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Tom Paine's Chapel in Lewes, East Sussex
Roll up Champers, this is what we’ve all been wishing for – Champing in Sussex, and in lovely Lewes too!
Thomas Paine’s Chapel is situated in the heart of ancient Lewes (pronounced “lu-is or loo-is”), close to the Norman castle and surrounded by historic houses, twittens (lanes!) dating back to Saxon times with views down valley to the sea.
Once you’ve rambled around Lewes and explored the stunning South Downs National Park, you lucky Champers will get to sleep in the chapel beneath the stained glass window and a 16th century Tudor Rose carved in the time of Henry VIII.
Lewes is widely known for the annual bonfire & firework celebrations on the 5th November in remembrance of the Gunpowder Plot of 1605 and the attempt to destroy parliament and assassinate King James I. The Lewes Martyrs are also commemorated with the Lewes Bonfire where 17 Protestants were burned at the stake during the earlier reign of Queen Mary I.
The chapel has an active non-conformist congregation who meet regularly, and this unique historic chapel is maintained and run by its Charitable Trust. A complete recent refurbishment resulted in a fully accessible toilet, washing facilities, and a five star food hygiene rated kitchen. In addition, the chapel also has its own catering provider and is also licensed. Dinner, formal and informal, and breakfast can be arranged for parties of more than 8 (smaller groups by special arrangement) pre-paid with the caterer (details on request). For further information about The Westgate Chapel (Tom Paine’s Chapel) and their community, please view their website here.
**Champers have exclusive use of the building during their stay between 4pm and 10am each day, however there are some days when chapel events may commence at 9am when Champers are asked to clear the chapel and but may re-locate in the adjacent hall. Contact us before booking if you need to know which dates are for the earlier risers!**
Key Features of Tom Paine's Chapel
* Kitchen with sink, kettle, toaster, Tassimo coffee machine
* Accessible flushing toilet inside the chapel
* Fascinating history and connection with Thomas Paine
* Town based with plenty of shops and places to eat & drink
* Free Wi-Fi available
* Open all year with heating available for winter stays
* Private catering available on request
* Exclusive stays for up to 16 guests
* Arrive easily by train or bus
* Wheelchair accessible throughout
* Walkers and cyclists welcome – on the South Downs Way
* Dog friendly – free to stay
* Car parking nearby
* Plenty to explore in ancient town of Lewes and nearby Brighton
*Bedding not available as an add on, please bring your own
Tom Paine’s Chapel is built upon the ancient Norman wall, garrison stables and store rooms of the defensive wall and gateway (Westgate) dating to the 12th and 13th centuries. A later back extension in the form of a hall was made to the adjoining 15th century Bull House using these walls as foundations. The undercroft stables were retained due to the natural slope of the land which had originally made the site so defensible.
This hall above the stables later became a clandestine meeting place for non-conformists such as puritans circa late 1500’s and a radical non-conformist religious haven during the Civil wars of the 1640s and 50s. By 1687 formal non-conformist worship was established and on November 5th 1700 the chapel was officially licensed and recorded as a legal place of worship. Non-conformist worship has continued to this day thanks to the work of the Trustees, the original Trust being established in 1724.
Thomas Paine lived at Bull House from 1768 to 1774 and started his political writing here for which he became so widely known. Often considered as the father of British Radicalism and a key influencer in the American War of Independence.
The current layout dates from 1913 when the large space was sub-divided and re-orientated east/west. The first lending library in Lewes was established at the Chapel in a room built on the south side in 1761. Tom Paine undoubtedly used this library, he lived in Bull House next door, his brother-in-law was minister and his father-in-law an elder. His legal marriage ceremony would have taken place in the nearby St Michael’s however it is inconceivable that the family would not have gathered in Westgate for their own religious and ceremonial needs. The building is the last working independent, non-conformist chapel in Lewes and as such represents a unique aspect of radical independent life and thought throughout many centuries.
Rambling and Roaming around Lewes
Tom Paine’s Chapel is close to many international venues, Glyndebourne Opera House, Charleston Farmhouse (Bloomsbury set); Towner Art Gallery, Eastbourne; Brighton Royal Pavilion, Hastings Contemporary Art, Bexhill De La Warr Pavilion, the South Downs and the Weald countryside.
The South Downs Way passes nearby as does the Egrets Way riverside route to Newhaven (ferry to Dieppe) The 5th November marks the internationally known bonfire and firework celebrations. Lewes is also home to the original Bill’s cafe/bistro and is within the South Downs National Park.
Lewes Tourist Information Office https://www.visitlewes.co.uk/