AROUND ALFRISTON
There are walks in every direction, short, long, high and low, level along the bends of the Cuckmere River towards the sea, steep on the Downs and cliffs above. There is nowhere more glorious to walk so close to London.
Of the local towns, Lewes is the best preserved and loveliest, with many unusual shops climbing a steep hill to the castle at the crown of the town. Brighton, raffish as always, is a lively seaside town with beautiful Regency crescents and George III’s Pavilion.
Glyndebourne Opera House
Gyndebourne, the Christie family opera house only ten miles away. It is one of the best and most beautiful small opera houses in the world; its music is always superb and picnics on the lawn in the interval are unforgettable.
Charleston
Charleston Farmhouse (not to be confused with Charleston Manor), an exquisite little cottage and garden where Vanessa Bell and Duncan Grant entertained the Bloomsbury Set in the 1930s and 40s. The cottage is decorated with murals mostly by Duncan Grant himself and is a sort of time capsule of that artistic and literacy age.
Firle Place
Sheltered in the northern slope of the South Downs, Firle is proud to be part of some of most beautiful countryside in Sussex. Some describe it as “frozen in time”, others “charming” and “quaint”, whatever it may be, we invite you to find out more about local businesses, charities and activities here.
Farley House
Another remarkable house and sculpture garden to visit is Farleys House, home from 1949 to 1984 of the surrealist painter Roland Penrose and photographer Lee Miller.
Glynde Place
Glynde Place is situated at the top of the village of Glynde and has commanding views over the Weald and Sussex Downs. The house was built in 1569 by William and Anne Morley - to replace the previous existing family home - from local flint, chalk and Caen stone. Glynde Place has passed from William and Anne, through three intermarried families, to the current owners. Today it is the family home of Francis and Caroline Hampden and their three children.
Royal Pavillion
The spectacular seaside palace of the Prince Regent (George IV) transformed by John Nash between 1815 and 1823 into one of the most dazzling and exotic buildings in the British Isles.
Lewes Castle
Visit Lewes Castle, a Norman Castle built after the Battle of Hastings by supporters of William the Conqueror. Visit the adjoining Museum of Sussex Archaeology to view artefacts from prehistoric to medieval Sussex.
Discover the story of Lewes through a delightful model of the town and short film, and look out for talks and workshops throughout the year.
Don’t forget to bring a picnic and enjoy the lovely gardens.
Knockhatch Adventure Park
Knockhatch Adventure Park offers loads of exciting activities for visitors of all ages. Adventure seekers can delve into exhilarating experiences such as Sherlock Holmes, the Wave Runner and the huge Lost World Playbarn slides. The Jungle Splash is a huge wet play area with water arches, gushers, fountains and a massive waterfall. Animal enthusiasts can enjoy petting and feeding a wide range of friendly farm animals including llamas, emus, goats and owl displays.
Pevensey Castle
Founded in the 4th century as one of the last of the Roman 'Saxon Shore' forts, Pevensey Castle was also the landing place of William the Conqueror's army in 1066. Later it was pressed back into service as an emergency stronghold in the Second World War — you can still see machine gun posts camouflaged into the castle walls.
Visit the exhibition to discover stories of sieges and royal prisoners, see a recreated 1940s commander's office and pick up the phone to hear emergency messages. Children can crack the Pevensey Castle Code, peer into the dungeon and make the most of the wide open spaces on an adventure in the fresh air.
Drusillas Park
Widely regarded as the best small zoo where animals are only half the fun; Go Wild!, Get Wet!, Go Safari!, The Rainforest Adventure, SPARK, Amazon Adventure, Mungo's Adventure Maze and all our free children's rides are paradise for anyone wanting a theme park experience.
Middle Farm
Middle Farm is a 625 acre working family farm who offer a warm countryside welcome, with something for every member of the family to enjoy.
RESTAURANTS
Fork
Fork is a neighbourhood restaurant in Lewes serving modern British cooking.
Our constantly changing, seasonal menus reflect our support for local farmers and artisan producers. Our meat, vegetables, fruit and cheeses come from small local farms; our fish is fresh off the boat at Newhaven.
The Cuckmere Inn
Our menus are full of hearty favourites and country pub classics, as well as our seasonal dishes, and we’ll be ready with a well-stocked bar, including cask ales, fine wines and British gin to suit very taste - which will taste all the better when enjoyed either in our beautiful gardens or by our crackling log fires.
The Sussex Ox Pub
A country pub with its own organic farm. Local, ethical and sustainably sourced produce. Family and dog friendly.
The Ram Inn
At the heart of the village and with a lively seating area know as Firle Beach at the front of the pub, the Ram is very popular with locals and visitors alike. The lack of through traffic, street lights and road markings give the village a timeless quality. Our rambling old brick and flint building has 3 beautiful rooms for wining and dining, each with its own open fire. We are well known for our food and everything on our menu is created in our own kitchen.
The Plough and Harrow
Our 17th century country pub is located in the South Downs National Park and specialises in offering real ales, great food and a friendly atmosphere. At least 4 real ales are available at any one time and our extensive menu features some of the best local produce.
The Eight Bells
For hundreds of years, the Eight Bells has been at the heart of Jevington, a picturesque village in the South Downs, just outside Eastbourne. This small, independently owned free house has a rich history, welcoming bar, and landscaped gardens with the best views around! Whether you’re walking, cycling, passing by or coming to dine with us, we offer something for everyone.
Poco Restaurant and Bar
From my Italian Nonna to Sussex with local produce.
Pomodoro e Mozarella
Enjoy mouth-watering Italian food from Pomodoro e Mozzarella. At our Italian restaurant in Eastbourne, Sussex, we offer a comprehensive menu of more than 100 homemade dishes. Whether you want to try one of our finest hand-spun pizzas or sample our large selection of starters, fish, and meat dishes, the lively, vibrant atmosphere of our restaurant is perfect for a meal out with family and friends.