Special guided tours of Winchelsea and its famous medieval wine cellars (pictured above) have been arranged over the holiday season for those who may feel the need to get out after the festivities. The Winchelsea Archaeological Society (WAS) will be leading these tours on Monday December 28 and on Saturday January 2.
Winchelsea boasts some 50 vaulted medieval cellars, all thought to have been built between about 1290 and 1310. The village has more cellars than anywhere else in the country, other than the cities of Bristol, Norwich and Southampton.
WAS runs a regular programme of guided tours over the spring, summer and autumn and the tours explain how the cellars were built and what WAS think they were used for (there is a lively debate over this).
The tours also look at the historic buildings of the Ancient Town and set out something of its colourful history, including its time as a Rotten Borough, the predilection of its early citizens for piracy and the question of who demolished most of the church. And then there is the question of why Spike Milligan is buried in Winchelsea, a place he had little time for when he was alive.
The tours costs £5 and take about 90 minutes. To ensure a place, it is recommended that visitors call 01797 224446 or email tours@winchelsea.net. WAS emphasises that the cellar steps are old, worn in many places, and can be slippery in damp weather. The entrances can also be awkward to get into. So the tours are not suitable for everyone and if you do come along, you are advised to wear sensible shoes.
The tour on Monday December 28 starts at 11am from the Town Well in Castle Street (TN36 4EL). The tour on Saturday January 2 starts at 2pm from the same place.
Photo : Rye News library