Wildlife
Jevington sits within one of only a handful of ‘super natural nature reserves’ in the UK. The South Downs between Eastbourne and Lewes have earned this protective status due to the rare chalk grass down land. It is said that if you threw down a metre square onto this rich habitat you would be able to count 40 different wild flower species. Even when not flowering you can see the huge variety of leaf shapes across the grass landscape. These plants support a diverse array of insects, butterflies and other wildlife.
In the spring all you need to do is turn left out of the cottage, walk to the end of the lane and into the field. It is a mass of beautiful wildflowers.
https://learning.southdowns.gov.uk/wildlife-habitats/south-downs-habitats/chalk-downland/
The Sussex Coast is protected by 9 marine conservation zones. Hopefully we have all heard of re-wilding the countryside but efforts are also in hand to re-wild parts of the Sussex coastline.
If you are lucky you will see Seals off the coast.
Enjoy the dark skies
https://www.southdowns.gov.uk/dark-night-skies/
Lots of beautiful birds inhabit this lovely landscape. However on a warm day there is nothing more guaranteed to lift the sole than to stop, close your eyes, feel the warmth on your face and do nothing but listen the sky larks flying high in the sky.
https://www.rspb.org.uk/birds-and-wildlife/skylark
For birders Arlington reservoir is close by. Supports 173 recorded bird species. 10,000 over wintering wildfowl. A SSSI. Dogs welcome on a lead. Easy flat walking. Cafe/kiosk. https://www.sputheastwater.co.uk/about/reservoir
You may go away inspired to grow your own wild flowers. A back garden meadow is so much more interesting than a lawn and so good for our native pollinators, don’t you think ?
This is a beautiful but fragile landscape. Please respect it. Take litter and dog poo away, stick to the paths where provided and always keep dogs on a lead where there are livestock. Thank you.
Beaches
The Beaches around the Sussex Coast are often surrounded by high cliffs. Access is not always obvious.
Beaches with easy access include:
Exceat, Seven Sisters Country Park
https://www.sevensisters.org.uk/
Seaford Beach including the Salt marshes west of Seaford
https://www.visitlewes.co.uk/explore/seaford
Birling Gap via metal cliff face steps
(Gets very busy at weekends)
https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/sussex/birling-gap-and-the-seven-sisters
Eastbourne
https://www.thebeachguide.co.uk/south-east-england/east-sussex/eastbourne.htm
Pevensey and the Pevensey Marshes.
If you fancy a change of scenery head over to the Pevensey Marshes, about 8 miles by road from The Laundry but an easy drive. The Marshes are a completely different landscape to the South Downs but equally as beautiful.
https://www.explorewealden.co.uk/explore-our-nature/pevensey-levels-p1445911
Pevensey castle ( a ruin) is a key land mark of the Pevensey area. The castle was the first to be built by William the Conqueror after he landed in England.
The Beaches here are quiet. Moving in land the marshes create peaceful, level walking countryside.
For lunch try Henner’s vineyard at Windmill Hill (5.5 miles walk from Pevensey). Beautifully situated overlooking the marshes, Henner’s does good food and lovely wine.
Or Stop off at Chillies Farm Shop and cafe, Rickney Ln, Hailsham BN27 1SE.
Herstmonceux castle, (still in tact) and Herstmonceux observatory and science museum are nearby BN27 1RN.
Walks
Cuckmere Pilgrim Path.
A lovely way to give your walk a bit of focus. Visit local churches whilst enjoying the countryside, including Berwick Church which was decorated by the Bloomsbury set.
https://www.cuckmerepilgrimpath.org.uk/
Seven Sisters Country Park.
An easy level walk from the Country Park visitors centre to the coast where you can get amazing views of the iconic Seven Sisters cliffs. https://www.sevensisters.org.uk/
Top tip. If you want something a little quieter and to get the best photos of the Seven Sisters cliffs head to Seaford Head Nature reserve on the west side of the River Ouse estuary. Park in the public carpark just above Seaford Golf Course and walk to the bottom of the beautiful nature reserve. From there you will capture the coast guard cottages with cliffs in the background. If you are lucky you can sometimes see seals in the water off the coast here.
Rachel Kiley Photography Walks.
tuition and workshops. Photographic walks to Beachy Head, wildflower walks. One to one tuition. https://www.rachelkiley.co.uk/workshops
Walk to Alfriston from the Laundry.
A simple straight, simple to navigate walk, passing through Litlington on the way to the beautiful village of Alfriston. Leave Jevington heading west past the church and up the hill. Keep going straight and you’ll cross beautiful Lullington Heath. Straight again and down the hill to Litlington. Turn left at the road, through the village and search for the bridge over the river to Alfriston. When you get there try visiting the Clergy House, the very first ever National Trust property, ‘Much a do books’ a must for book lovers or some of the great art and antique shops in the village. Some great cafes and pubs in the village too.
Find time to visit the award winning Long Man Brewery, Litlington. Probably safer on the way back to the Laundry !!
Crow Link to East Dean circular walk.
Cycle or drive south on the East Dean Road. At Friston Pond cross straight over the coast road and down the track to the National Trust carpark. Continue south down the hill keeping the flint wall to your right. Through the little hamlet and down to the cliff’s edge. Enjoy the undulating white cliffs. From there turn left and up the hill to the monument on the cliff top. From there enjoy amazing views eastwards to the Bell Tout lighthouse and Beachy Head. Walk a few hundred yards and look for the path that heads off inland at 45 degrees to the coast path. Turn left through the gate at the top of the ridge and follow the fence line running inland. This takes you up and over the top. At the top of the fields you’ll need to search for the footpath down into East Dean but there is a gap in the trees that takes you down to the village. The Tiger pub for lunch and see Sherlock Holmes’s fictitious retirement home on the green. Walk west from the village and either take the tarmac path following the line of the road or turn left at the top of the green and find the grass meadow that runs the same way but is away from the road. Up to the church, enjoy the graveyard and you are back to the Friston Pond where you started.
Rathfinny Vineyard Trail.
Can be walked as part of a longer walk or as a stand alone walk. Dogs welcome on a lead. Refreshments available from the vineyard hut (10x5)
Map available at https:/www.rathfinny/estatewalk.com or at the vineyard cellar door.
Churches
Cuckmere pilgrim path
https://www.cuckmerepilgrimpath.org.uk/
Jevington
https://sussexparishchurches.org/church/jevington-st-andrew/
Alfriston
https://sussexparishchurches.org/church/alfriston-st-andrew/
Littlington
https://sussexparishchurches.org/church/litlington-st-michael/
Wilmington
https://sussexparishchurches.org/church/wilmington-st-mary-and-st-peter/
Berwick, Bloomsbury set paintings
https://sussexparishchurches.org/church/berwick-st-michael-and-all-angels/
St Mary’s Old Town, Eastbourne
https://sussexparishchurches.org/church/eastbourne-st-mary-church-street/
Cycle Hire
Cuckmere Cycle Company
East Dean Rd, Exceat,
East Sussex. BN254AD. W3W. headline.blueberry.keyboards
https://cuckmerecycle.co/
Sussex Bike Hire
5, Park Road, Seaford, BN25 2PG
https://www.sussexbikehire.com/
App Bikes
Road friendly cycles available in Eastbourne.
https://www.app-bike.co.uk/
Horse Riding
You will see a lot of horses in the fields around Jevington. There is a stables and livery there. However they do not offer lessons.
Years ago there used to be a professional stables that trained race horses in Jevington. Unfortunately it no longer exists.
Other riding facilities in the area include:
Polegate equestrian centre
Hailsham Road, A22 BN26 6RF. http://www.polegateec.co.uk/
Glebe Field riding school and equestrian centre
Carrbrook Farm, Hale Green Chiddingly BN8 6HQ. https://glebefieldridingschool.co.uk/
Sailing
Buzz Active
offer canoeing, kayaking and paddle boarding from The Seven Sisters Country Park BN25 4AD or sailing, kayaking and windsurfing from the seafront in Eastbourne BN22 7LD. Booking is essential. https://www.buzzactive.org.uk/locations/
Eastbourne and Brighton Marinas have both been voted amongst the best marinas in the UK by Coast Magazine for those interested in sailing.
Golf
Great golf courses are available at the Seaford Head golf course and in Eastbourne at The Downs municipal course, the Eastbourne Royal Golf Course, The Willingdon Golf Club and the Lottbridge Drove Golf Course and Driving Range.
The East Sussex National Course is situated about 15 miles north of the Laundry near Uckfield TN22 5ES.
https://www.eastbournedownsgolf.co.uk/
https://www.willingdongolfclub.co.uk/
https://www.thelottbridgegolfclub.co.uk/
https://eastsussexnational.co.uk/
We are not golfers and so guests are encouraged to contact the course they are interested in for their terms and conditions.
Boat Trips
A number of companies run boat trips from Eastbourne either around the coast or the Eastbourne harbour.
We have not tried all of these and so would recommend that you check out the latest availability on line and choose the one that meets your own personal preference.
Eastbourne Boat trips
https://www.eastbourneboattrips.co.uk/
The Beachy Head Lighthouse Adventure
https://www.sussexboattrips.com/the-beachy-head-lighthouse-adventure/
Sussex Boat Trips
https://www.sussexboattrips.com/
Maverick Boat Adventures
https://www.maverickboatadventures.com/sussex-boat-trips/
Sovereign Harbour Boat Trips
https://www.visiteastbourne.com/information/product-catch-all/sovereign-harbour-boat-tours-p1238561
Cinema
Cineworld
The Beacon Shopping Centre, 37 Terminus Rd, Eastbourne BN21 3NW
Towner Cinema
However if you want to see something different try The Cinema at the Towner Art Gallery, Devonshire Park, College Road, Eastbourne, BN21 4JJ. Small arty cinema that shows films that you won’t see at the main cinema, and you can have a glass of wine in a real glass whilst watching the film. https://townereastbourne.org.uk/cinema