Travel information to Herstmonceux Castle:

 
From London Gatwick

Taxi
By road it takes about 90 minutes and a pre-booked taxi will cost you approximately 65 pounds one-way. Please note that taxis that are not pre-booked will cost considerably more. We advise you book a local taxi in advance to allow time for it to meet you when your flight arrives (you can free-phone Harbourside on: 0800 169 9532 or Direct Taxis on: 0044 (0)1323 484444).

 
Train
The train from Gatwick to Polegate takes about 1 hour, depending on the service, and costs approximately 15 pounds.  
Book online at: www.southernrailway.com or www.thetrainline.com (you will need the credit card you use for booking to pick up tickets), or buy on the day.

Average platform to airport transfer times:

      South Terminal to Rail Station - 5 minutes (direct access)

      North Terminal to Rail Station - 10 minutes (you will have to use the free monorail to cross from North Terminal to South Terminal and then make your way to the Rail Station)

Once you are at Polegate, there will be a number of cabs waiting.  Most will be Direct Travel taxis.  You can hop in one and tell them you are going to the Castle - Bader Hall and they will all know how to get there.  You can pre-book with Direct Travel as well on +44 1323 484444 (outside the UK) or on 01323 484444 (inside the UK). The taxi should cost approximately 13 pounds – but please check this before setting off!

From London Heathrow

By Taxi

A pre-booked taxi to the Castle will take about 2 to 2 and a half  hours depending on traffic and the cost will be approximately 95 pounds one-way. Please note that black-cabs or non-pre-booked taxis will cost considerably more. You can pre-book with Harbourside Taxis on +44 7834 714751 (outside the UK) or on 0800 1699532 (inside the UK), or   Direct Taxis on +44 1323 484444 (outside the UK) or on 01323 484444 (inside the UK).

By Train

To get to the Castle by train you will need to go into London city centre and connect onto a train from London Victoria to Polegate – the closest train station to the Castle (final destination Eastbourne or Ore – which is what you will need to look out for on the departures boards). Book online at: www.southernrailway.com or www.thetrainline.com (you will need the credit card you use for booking to pick up tickets), or buy on the day.

The cheapest way to get into the centre of London is to take the Underground (Piccadilly line) from Heathrow to Green Park, and transfer via the Victoria Line to Victoria Station. You should allow at least 45 minutes for this journey. Check out the Transport for London website for more details about fares. The tube runs regularly throughout the day from Heathrow at approximately 10-minute intervals.

Alternatively you can take the Heathrow Express train (there is a 20 minute journey time from Heathrow to Paddington) and then take the Underground from Paddington Station to London Victoria.

Average platform to airport transfer times:

        Terminals 1, 2, or 3 to Terminals 1, 2, 3 Tube / Heathrow Express station - 10 minutes (covered walkway / subway)

       Terminal 4 to Terminal 4 Tube / Heathrow Express / Coach Station - 5 minutes (ramp / lifts)

         Terminal 5 is also serviced by the Heathrow Express

By Coach

National Express coach services offer a frequent bus shuttle between Heathrow and Gatwick. This leaves every 15 minutes and costs approximately 30 pounds. Once at Gatwick, you can catch the train from there to Polegate station [follow instructions from above].

From London City Centre

By Train

The train from London Victoria to Polegate will cost 22–27 pounds. You can purchase tickets in advance or at the station. Book online at: www.southernrailway.com or www.thetrainline.com (you will need the credit card you use for booking to pick up tickets), or buy on the day.

Once at Polegate you will need to take a taxi to the Castle. There will be a number of cabs waiting at the station.  You can hop in one and tell them you are going to the Castle - Bader Hall and they will all know how to get there.  You can pre-book with Harbourside Taxis on +44 7834 714751 (outside the UK) or on 0800 1699532 (inside the UK), or Direct Taxis on +44 1323 484444 (outside the UK) or on 01323 484444 (inside the UK).