Local Produce Markets and Food
East Dean market
In the public car park. http://www.eastdeanvillage.org.uk/village-market.html
Lewes farmers market
Market Street https://www.visitlewes.co.uk/things-to-do/lewes-farmers-market-p1104981
Battle farmers market
Abbey Green, Battle. https://www.transitiontownhastings.org.uk/hastings-green-pages/battle/
Long Man Brewery
Litlington. Micro brewery creating award winning ales. Tours available. https://www.longmanbrewery.com/
Liquid spirit coffee roasters
Small independent coffee roasters. Tastings available. https://www.facebook.com/liquidspiritcoffee/?locale=en_GB
Harveys Brewery, Lewes
Tours available. Lovely traditional ales. If you are in Lewes on a brewing day you will smell the brewing in the air. https://www.harveys.org.uk/
Middle Farm shop
Lots of local produce, butchers, bakery, deli, and a huge cider barn with 300+ ciders. https://middlefarm.com/
Henners Vineyard
Windmill Hill, Herstmonceux. Small pretty vineyard siting above the Pevensey Marshes that produces excellent wines. Fresh food available. https://hennersvineyard.co.uk/
Rathfinny Vineyard
Impressive award winning vineyard with tasting room, restaurant and tours. https://rathfinnyestate.com/
Jevington Church tea in the tower
A relaxed way to spend an afternoon with local people in the local church. https://www.facebook.com/events/7861504580539113/7861504593872445/
Houses and Gardens of Interest
Alfriston Clergy House, Alfriston
The National Trust’s first ever property. Small thatched cottage and garden. https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/sussex/alfriston-clergy-house
Ann of Cleve’s House, Lewes
A divorce gift from Henry VIII to Ann of Cleves. https://sussexpast.co.uk/attraction/anne-of-cleves-house/
Thomas Paine’s House, Lewes
Small museum to one of the founding fathers of the USA who lived in Lewes. https://sussexpast.co.uk/historic-bull-house-in-lewes-former-home-of-radical-thinker-thomas-paine-to-open-its-doors-to-the-public-after-40-years/
Batemans , Burwash
Rudyard Kiplings House and garden. Burwash and the High Weald are pretty for a day out. https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/sussex/batemans
Charleston Farmhouse. Home to the Bloomsbury Set
Pretty gardens were free to enter at time of writing. House and art gallery. Nice cafe. https://www.charleston.org.uk/
Herstmonceux Castle
Beautiful historic castle and gardens. https://herstmonceux-castle.com/
Michaelham Priory, Arlington, Hailsham
Monastery converted to country house, pretty moated garden. https://sussexpast.co.uk/attraction/michelham-priory/
Farley’s House and gallery, Muddles Green, Chiddingly
Home to Lee Miller surrealist artist. Pretty sculpture gardens. https://www.farleyshouseandgallery.co.uk/
Bates Green Garden, Polegate
RHS partner garden. https://batesgreengarden.co.uk/
Historic Sites
Jevington
https://sussexvillages.co.uk/jevington/
Exceat
https://www.southdowns.gov.uk/south-downs-history-special-the-lost-village-of-exceat/
Lewes town
including Castle, the site of the Second Barons war against the Crown of England and the Martyrs memorial. https://www.visitlewes.co.uk/
Battle town
Including Battle Abbey and the site of the Battle of Hastings.
https://www.english-heritage.org.uk/visit/places/1066-battle-of-hastings-abbey-and-battlefield/
Charleston Farm House
https://www.charleston.org.uk/ See the Bloomsbury Set. History, house, garden, gallery and nice cafe.
Michelham Priory
https://sussexpast.co.uk/attraction/michelham-priory/ Pretty moated House, garden and cafe.
Pevensey Castle
https://www.english-heritage.org.uk/visit/places/pevensey-castle/ Marks the landing place of William the Conquerer.
Long Man of Wilmington
The St, Wilmington, Polegate BN26 5SW
https://sussexpast.co.uk/attraction/the-long-man-of-wilmington/ Chalk figure cut into the side of the hills. Whilst there check out the 1400 yr old Ewe Tree at Wilmington Church.
Church of the Good Shepherd
Lullington Rd, Wilmington, Polegate BN26 5QX.
https://www.nationalchurchestrust.org/church/good-shepherd-lullington One of the smallest churches in England. Hidden up a narrow path overlooking the Cuckmere Valley.
Wilmington Priory, Wilmington
Wilmington, Polegate BN26 5SW
https://www.landmarktrust.org.uk/search-and-book/properties/wilmington-priory-13132/#Overview
Belle Tout Lighthouse
Sitting right on the edge of the chalk cliffs. An impressive land mark. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Belle_Tout_Lighthouse
Alfriston clergy House
The first ever National Trust property. Thatched cottage with pretty cottage garden. https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/sussex/alfriston-clergy-house
Firle Place
Home of the Gage family for 5 centuries. Collection of old master paintings, furniture and porcelain. www.firle.com
Galleries
Towner Gallery.
Devonshire Park, 82 College Rd, Eastbourne BN21 4JJ
Internationally renowned contemporary gallery. Hoste of the 2024 Turner Prize. https://townereastbourne.org.uk
Charleston in Lewes.
Southover High Street, Lewes.
A permanent Bloomsbury gallery. Off shoot gallery from the Charleston Farm House. https://www.charleston.org.uk/charleston-lewes/
Farleys House and Gallery.
Muddles Green, Chiddingly, BN8 6HW.
Home of Lee Miller war photographer and host to the surrealists. A meeting place for some of the key personalities in 20th century art. https://www.farleyshouseandgallery.co.uk
Charleston Farm House.
Home to the Bloomsbury Set.
Pretty gardens, House and art gallery. Nice cafe. https://www.charleston.org.uk/
Theatres and Music
Glyndebourne.
World renowned Opera and a wonderful place for a pre-performance picnic with Pims. https://www.glyndebourne.com
Congress Theatre, Eastbourne.
Top notch theatre and music. https://www.eastbournetheatres.co.uk/about-us/venue-information/congress-theatre
Devonshire Park Theatre, Eastbourne.
Smaller period theatre showing interesting theatre and panto. https://www.eastbournetheatres.co.uk/whats-on
Hippodrome Theatre, Eastbourne.
https://www.eastbournetheatres.co.uk/whats-on
Grove Theatre, Eastbourne.
Underground theatre showing smaller and fringe productions. https://www.groveeastbourne.com
Theatre Royal Brighton
http://theatreroyalbrighton.com
The Brighton Centre, Brighton.
The biggest venue on the Sussex coast hosting many of the big names. https://brightoncentre.co.uk
The Brighton Dome.
Arts venue, theatre, comedy celebrity talks. https://brightondome.org
De-La-Warr Pavilion Bexhill.
Art deco theatre. The People's Pavilion. https://www.dlwp.com
Local Events
Airborne
Yearly air display held in mid August in Eastbourne
https://www.visiteastbourne.com/airshow Gets very busy. Parking can be difficult.
Tennis
Yearly international tennis.
https://www.lta.org.uk/fan-zone/international/rothesay-international-eastbourne/
Ticketed only but TV screens around the town.
Lewes Bonfire
Massively popular bonfire celebrations https://www.lewesbonfirecelebrations.com/
Charleston literary festival
Thought provoking literary festival. Attracts some very interesting diverse speakers. https://www.charleston.org.uk/festival/charleston-festival-2024/
Eastbourne Rowing regatta
Held in May. https://www.visiteastbourne.com/whats-on/eastbourne-rowing-regatta-2023-p1871811
Firle Place garden fair
https://www.thegardenshows.com/firle-place/home/
Great day out for foodies.
Glynde Place Jazz festival
https://www.glynde.co.uk/glynde-place/whats-on/2024/7/5/love-supreme-jazz-festival
Glyndebourne Opera
Summer and Autumn program of world class opera. Beautiful opera house set in a stunning location. Enjoy a picnic on the lawn before the performance and during the interval at this world class opera house. So civilised!
https://www.glyndebourne.com/festival/
Queer Bloomsbury
Celebrating contemporary queer culture
https://www.charleston.org.uk/festival/queer-bloomsbury-2024/
Charleston festival of the Garden
https://www.charleston.org.uk/festival/festival-of-the-garden-2024/