5 places to visit on your East Sussex staycation
With international travel still up in the air, a UK summer staycation looks like the perfect remedy to your 2020 holiday plans.
And what better place than East Sussex, home to The Grain Store Lewes and the rolling hills of the South Downs National Park. The Telegraph recently named the South East a ‘Top five UK destination for domestic tourists’ and we couldn’t agree more.
But with so much to explore, how do you know where to start? To help you plan your East Sussex staycation, we’ve hand-picked five places we think you’ll love. The adventure awaits.
About East Sussex
East Sussex is a historic county on the south coast. Its roots go back to the 5th century AD with the kingdom of the South Saxons, one of the seven Saxon kingdoms.
Sussex is overflowing with history and culture, fun days out, and stunning sites, meaning there is something for everyone.
Just a short train ride away from London, it’s no surprise people are excited to travel down to the coast.
Top 5 places to visit on your East Sussex staycation
Brighton
This seems like the most obvious place to start, but what is not to love about Brighton?
The large city is loved by tourists and for good reason, with so much to offer. With its youthful and creative character contrasted by its infamous nightlife, there is something for everyone.
Originally a famous seaside resort, you can enjoy the old-time pleasures of Palace Pier – fish and chips are a must.
Just around the corner from the pier, you will find the whimsical Royal Pavilion. Built in the late 1700s as King George IV’s opulent pleasure palace at the time when Brighton was the heart of fashionable Regency society.
It has been carefully restored to its original 1823 splendour, with the incredible Indian architecture carefully contrasted with Chinese inspired interiors.
Don’t forget to visit the tearooms and take a stroll around Regency Gardens.
For quirky gifts, vintage clothes, jewellery and much more, don’t miss The Lanes. A shopper’s paradise of independent shops and boutiques in a historic maze of twisting alleyways.
Brighton is also packed with public artworks and art galleries, including the Brighton Museum & Art Gallery.
Battle
Visit the site of one of the most famous battles in English history – the Battle of Hastings – 1066. This momentous episode of history saw William the Conqueror defeat Harold II to begin the Norman conquest.
Battle Abbey was built on the battleground to make amends for all of the violence of the conquest. It has been a ruin since the 1500’s, but you can still find the marked spot where Harold fell.
Over time a community was built around the abbey, which has led to the charming little town we see today.
Visit the high street for artisan shops, tea rooms, pubs, and a market every Friday and Saturday in front of the abbey.
If you are a history fanatic, the annual re-enactment of the 1066 battle takes place in October and is not one to be missed!
Lewes
Lewes is a town of historical and cultural importance, shown from the lively high street to Lewes Castle.
Just outside of Lewes is Glyndebourne, a grade II listed 600-year-old English country house that has become synonymous with opera. Since 1934 it has been the venue for the annual Glyndebourne Festival Opera.
Fun fact: the intervals last for more than an hour, which gives spectators time to picnic on the beautiful lawns.
Another cultural highlight just outside of Lewes is Charleston, a gorgeous farmhouse where members of the Bloomsbury Group of artists and writers lived and worked.
They hold events year-round, and you can visit the farmhouse, garden and galleries. Don’t forget to stop at the café for a bite to eat after your tour.
The Grain Store is located just outside of Lewes, making it the perfect destination to visit during your staycation.
Rye
One of the best kept secrets of East Sussex is the town of Rye, nestled in between the rivers Rother and Brede.
The older part of the town known as “the citadel”, is dreamy to explore on foot and reveals the medieval charm of Rye.
The steep, winding cobblestone streets and half-timbered houses are reminiscent of the time when 18th-century smugglers were planning their escapades.
If you are a history buff, or just interested in the history of Rye, both Rye Castle Museum and Rye Heritage Centre give you an insight into the truly fascinating history of the town.
Rye Castle Museum is situated inside the 14th-century Ypres Tower, which once formed part of Rye’s defences.
One of the reasons Rye is a first-choice visit is the beaches. Camber sands is possibly the best beach on the South Coast. It has been used as a film location on several occasions, which is no surprise given the stunning scenery and rolling dunes.
Uckfield
Just 20 minutes from The Grain Store, Uckfield is well worth the short drive to explore for a perfect family day out.
The Bluebell Railway is one of the finest collections of vintage steam locomotives and carriages that can be found.
This 11-mile track commenced service in August 1960 and spans between Sheffield Park and the market town of East Grinstead.
During your visit, learn about the history and science of the industrial age, and experience the thrill of riding onboard a luxurious locomotive.
If you are a fan of National Trust properties, Sheffield Park and Garden is not one to be missed.
It has something for everyone, ranging from the magnificent landscape gardens and lakes to the woodland play trails.
At the moment there is a brilliant project taking place here – the River Ouse restoration project.
The aim is to recover the channel shape and connection to the floodplain, which will help improve water quality, and wildlife habitats, and will alleviate flooding downstream.
There are also plans to include a bridge over the river, linking the Sheffield Park parkland with the Ouse Valley Way.
This is a mere whistle-stop tour of some of the best that East Sussex has to offer. You’ll also find plenty of nature and adventure directly on the doorstep of The Grain Store Lewes.
So why wait? Get planning your UK staycation now.
Your South Downs staycation awaits
We’re currently offering options for flexible bookings and cancellations for eligible summer 2020 bookings. Read our blog post for more information or contact the team.
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