PEKES is situated twelve miles inland from Eastbourne,eighteen miles from Brighton and nine miles from Lewes in the county of East Sussex in the South east of England. Up a drive of 350 yards with unspoilt views of the countryside, Pekes offers unique self catering holidays.

Peaceful yet close to London, with exceptional freedom to use the facilities: exotic indoor heated swimming pool, sauna, jacuzzi, lawn badminton, hard Macadam style tennis court and extensive grounds.

History of Pekes

When William the Conqueror landed on English soil in the year 1066 he set foot 8 miles in a straight line from where "Pekes" now stands.

The coastline is entirely flat at Pevensey Bay ...one reason why he chose to land there. He had no sooner arrived than he considered England HIS and started giving it away. One of the first parcels of land he handed out went to one of his aides, Monsieur de Peke, who built the first house to stand on the site of the present property. It was a large one room Norman Hall ...only his name survives. It is now an eight bed-roomed residence rebuilt and modernised in Tudor times about 1550.

It has changed very little since, except the exterior is now handsomely tile hung. Inside, all of the original beams are preserved and exposed. The oldest part of the house, the Kitchen (modernised) retains its beautiful oak beams, large hearth, the original brick floor and latticed windows. In 1550 , its new owners were the Jefferays, distant cousins of the infamous, dreaded Judge Jefferay. Their monuments still stand in the village church.

The house became a minor "Manor House". The family did not prosper, however, and left. Little is known of the years in between except that it was owned by several farming families. When the present owner's grandfather purchased it in 1908, it was in a fairly rundown condition.
He had a marvelous time restoring it, at the same time creating a beautiful garden from the surrounding fields. Now "Pekes" has once again been updated ...bathrooms, Kitchen, oil fired central heating, dishwasher etc...the essential character of the house being retained.

You can find out more about "Pekes" in the "Sussex Archaeological Collections" book, Volume LIII, published by the Sussex Archaeological Society.
The present owner of Pekes, grandaughter of the gentleman who purchased the estate in 1908, has converted the property to a very confortable home.

The Accommodation

• Pekes Manor House - Sleeps 16 to 18 - (Max 20)
• The Edwardian Wing of the Manor House Sleeps 4 to 5 (max. 6) - ETB***
• Tudor View - Sleeps 4 to 6 (max. 7) - ETB***
• Mounts View - Sleeps 5 to 8 - Maximum occupants 9 - ETB****
• Oast House - With private Jacuzzi Sleeps 7 to 11 (max occupants 12) - ETB***
• Gate Cottage - Sleep 4 to 6 max. - ETB ***

All situated on the ground of the Pekes Tudor Manor House