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This week, Dana Wiffen is back in Sussex visiting Herstmonceux Castle

The castle in wonderful splendour dominates the surrounding land that consists of some beautiful gardens and woodland walks.

Owned by the University of Ontario a large section of the castle itself is still a working university and therefore can only be toured in guided groups

Photo: Dana Wiffen

As you drive down the long entrance there is a large busy science area with telescope viewing buildings.

In 1957 the Herstmonceux Castle grounds became the home of the Royal Greenwich Observatory and remained so until 1988 when the observatory moved to Cambridge.

Several of the telescopes still remain and the estate still provides housing for the Newton Telescope and the Equatorial Telescope Buildings, which have been converted to an interactive science centre for schoolchildren.

Photo:  Dana Wiffen

The moated front approach and superbly kept gardens allowed for most of our time before we had a coffee and returned home as the weather started to go down hill.

Hawkinge Gazette and Channel Coast News 2011©