Marlipins Museum is a local history and ceramics museum located in the town of Shore by‑Sea, West Sussex, England. Housed in the historic Marlipins building—the oldest secular structure in Shore by‑Sea—the museum presents exhibits related to the town’s maritime heritage, local archaeology, and historic ceramics.
Building
- The Marlipins building is a Grade I listed structure, dating from the 12th century, with subsequent medieval and early‑modern alterations. Its original purpose is uncertain, but architectural analysis suggests it was constructed as a merchant’s house or a warehouse for the nearby harbour.
- The building’s stone façade exhibits typical Norman and early Gothic features, including a steeply pitched roof, mullioned windows, and a door jamb with a surviving medieval ironwork hinge.
- Over the centuries the structure served various civic functions, including use as a town hall, a court, and a prison. In the 19th century it was adapted for commercial use before being acquired by the local authority for museum purposes.
Museum
- The museum was established in the early 20th century, initially as a repository for artefacts collected by the Shore by‑Sea Historical Society. It later expanded to include a permanent collection of locally produced ceramics, particularly slip‑painted slipware produced in the Sussex region during the 18th and 19th centuries.
- Exhibits also cover the development of Shore by‑Sea as a fishing and ship‑building centre, displaying model ships, nautical instruments, photographs, and documents relating to the town’s commercial activities.
- Educational programmes, workshops, and temporary exhibitions are regularly organised to engage both local residents and visitors.
Management and Access
- The museum is operated by the Shore by‑Sea Museum Trust, a charitable organization that works in partnership with the West Sussex County Council.
- It is open to the public throughout the year, subject to seasonal opening hours, and admission is generally free, with donations encouraged to support conservation work.
Significance
Marlipins Museum contributes to the preservation and interpretation of Shore by‑Sea’s historical environment, offering insight into the town’s social, economic, and artistic development from the medieval period to the present day. Its location within a building of considerable architectural and historic importance enhances its role as a focal point for heritage tourism in West Sussex.