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Winchelsea Beach
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(Holidaymakers and Henry VIIIs Fort)
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General Details
Old Winchelsea , originally known as Gwent Chesel Ie , could be found on an
island between what is now known as Rye Harbour and Winchelsea Beach .
An extract of the
Nothgyth Quest whose author David Slaughter proposes the following :-
[There is a spoken remnant of history about Cissa the Saxon's family, which
survived locally, relating that his son Winchel or his followers the Wincheling
founded Winchelsea. The writer believes this remnant to be true and that the
first settlement must have been established by Wine Cissing, the original
form of the town's name having been 'Wines cesel ie' or 'Winchel ie' and that
the present name of Winchelsea developed from this Old English form.]
Winchelsea Beach is another modern resort similar to Greatstone in its age
having been built up just before the 2nd World War to cater for the
holidaymakers.
It consists of a row of modern buildings lying behind the sea defences on the
coast road from Winchelsea to Fairlight. Holiday homes and camps litter the
area, together with the usual seaside entertainments.
To its east lies the old fortification originally known as Winchelsea Castle and
nowadays Camber Castle. This was built by Henry VIII in 1539, on a spit of land
which stuck out into the sea, to defend the entrance to Rye and Winchelsea harbours.
The castle was very nearly demolished in 1626 by Charles I as its upkeep was
deemed unnessary due to the castle now lying 2 miles inland and away from the sea.
Today is is supported by English Heritage and is available to visit on foot.
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Services
 Winchelsea Beach has a range of seaside and holidaymaker services, within the
village.
The nearest trains run from Wichelsea about 2 miles to the north, and the nearest
major shopping centre is at Rye about 4 miles north east.
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