Marlipins Museum

About

Explore the oldest secular building in Britain and discover more about the maritime history of Sussex. The Grade II listed Norman building in the high street of the coastal town of Shoreham-by-Sea is famous for its striking flint and limestone chequerboard façade. The building, which dates back to the 12th century, is understood to have been used as a toll or custom house for the port and markets, providing secure storage for high-end goods such as wines, spices and fabrics. Now it is home to a unique collection which sheds light on the area’s rich maritime history, with objects collected from shipwrecks off the coast of Sussex and further afield. On display are naval surgeons’ sinister-looking medical instruments to incredible examples of 19th century ship models. There are also souvenirs from the HMS Royal George, the largest warship in the world at the time of her launch in 1756, which sank off Portsmouth the same year.