Local Attractions

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.

An old castle with a bridge going over it.

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

A winding road in the countryside
Image by Rachel Kiley Photography

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.

A group of Red Arrow airplanes flying in formation in the sky with red white and blue smoke trails.
Image by Rachel Kiley Photography

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/