Lewes (pop. 15,000), 8mi/13km northeast of Brighton, is the county town of East Sussex. It is magnificently situated on the Downs, at the point where the River Ouse has cut its way through the hills. Lewes is noted for the many restaurants, cafes, and antique shops as well as the market on the first Saturday of each month.
Lewes Castle was built around 1088 to defend this passage. It has a ruined keep (views) and fine flint masonry. The picturesque old town with its steep streets, old half-timbered buildings, Georgian houses and typical flint masonry surrounds the castle.
The most interesting churches are St Anne's (mainly Norman) and St Michael's, with a round tower. The Town Hall, with a fine oak staircase (1893), contains the Municipal Museum.
Anne of Cleaves House is located just a short walk from Lewes Castle. Anne of Cleves was the former wife of Henry VIII and the house was part of the divorce settlement, but Anne never lived here.
Address: Anne of Cleaves House, 52 Southover High Street, Lewes BN7 1JA, England
Hours:
March 1 to October 31: 10am-5pm; Sun:11am-5pm; Closed: Mon
November 1 to February 28: 10am-5pm; Closed: Mon, Sun, Mon
Always closed on: Christmas - Christian (December 25), Christmas Eve - Christian (December 24), Day after Christmas, St Stephen's Day, Boxing Day (December 26)
Tips: Lewes Castle is a short walk from the house and a joint admission may be purchased for both. Group admission for 15 or more.
The Bluebell Railway was one of the first preserved railways in the UK. It opened in 1960 and has three remaining stations: Sheffield Park, Horsted Keynes and Kingscote.
There are 35 locomotives, over 50 coaches and numerous freight vehicles currently on display.
Address: Bluebell Railway Museum, Sheffield Park Station, Uckfield TN22 3QL, England
Hours:
May 1 to September 30: 11am-4pm
October 1 to April 30: am-am; Closed: Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri
Always closed on: Christmas - Christian (December 25)
Tips: Free entry to Sheffield Park Station when no trains are running.
Family admission (2 adults and up to 3 children).
Parking: Free
Disability Access: Partial facilities for persons with disabilities.
Facilities: Gift shop, Restaurant or food service
Transit: Bus: from Haywards Heath (270) and East Grinstead (473)
It was near Upper Hartfield that A. A. Milne created the immortal character of Winnie the Pooh. Places related in the famous stories can be found here, including the Five Hundred Acre Wood (Hundred Acre Wood), the 'Six Pine Trees' and Poohsticks Bridge.
Charleston Farmhouse in Firle was the country retreat for London's Bloomsbury Group. It houses the last surviving works of decorative artists Vanessa Bell and Duncan Grant.
Address: Charleston, Firle BN8 6LL, England
Hours:
March 19 to June 30: 2pm-6pm; Wed:11:30am-6pm; Sat:11:30am-6pm; Closed: Mon, Tue
July 1 to August 31: 11:30am-6pm; Sun:2pm-6pm; Closed: Mon, Tue, Mon, Tue
September 1 to November 2: 2pm-6pm; Wed:11:30am-6pm; Sat:11:30am-6pm; Closed: Mon, Tue, Mon, Tue, Mon, Tue
Tips: Concessions (Thursdays for seniors, students and unemployed)
Tea and cakes available Wednesdays to Sundays 2-5 pm.
Gift shop open for Christmas shopping weekends from November 1-December 20.
Discount: Thursday
Disability Access: Partial facilities for persons with disabilities.
At the English Farm Cider Centre visitors can sample from 150 varieties of farmhouse ciders. English cheeses and savories are for sale in the Farm Shop. Relax by the log fire or in the sunny courtyard.
Address: English Farm Cider Centre, Middle Farm, Firle BN8 6LJ, England
Hours:
9:30am-5:30pm
Always closed on: New Year's Day (January 1), Christmas - Christian (December 25), Day after Christmas, St Stephen's Day, Boxing Day (December 26)
Firle Place is a Georgian Mansion with a Tudor core set in Downland Park. Its collections include the works of European and English Old Masters, French and English furniture, porcelain and American artifacts. It is a member property of the Historic Houses Association.
Address: Firle Place, Lewes BN8 6LP, England
Hours:
June 1 to September 28: 2pm-4:15pm; Closed: Mon, Tue, Fri, Sat
Always opened on: Spring Bank Holiday - Britain (last Monday, May ), Summer Bank Holiday - Britain outside Scotland (last Monday, August ), Easter - Christian
Tips: Groups discounts for pre-booked parties of 25 or more.
Connoisseur's Day prices are higher.
Guides: Interpretive sessions sometimes available.
Glynde Place is an Elizabethan manor house and family home of Viscount and Viscountess Hampden. It offers fabulous views over the South Downs. Portrait and furniture displays are especially interesting.
Address: Glynde Place, Lewes BN8 6SX, England
Hours:
May 1 to August 31: 2pm-4:45pm; Closed: Mon, Tue, Fri, Sat
Always opened on: Spring Bank Holiday - Britain (last Monday, May ), Summer Bank Holiday - Britain outside Scotland (last Monday, August ), Easter - Christian
Guides: Interpretive sessions sometimes available.
In Lewes' Barbican House is the Museum of the Sussex Archaeological Society, and associated with this is Anne of Cleves' House.
Main keep of the Lewes Castle.
Address: Lewes Castle and Barbican House, 169 High Street, Lewes BN7 1YE, England
Hours:
January 1 to January 31: 10am-5:30pm; Sun:11am-5:30pm; Closed: Mon
February 1 to December 31: 10am-5:30pm; Sun:11am-5:30pm; Closed: Mon
Always opened on: Summer Bank Holiday - Britain outside Scotland (last Monday, August )
Always closed on: Christmas - Christian (December 25), Christmas Eve - Christian (December 24), Day after Christmas, St Stephen's Day, Boxing Day (December 26)
Tips: Anne of Cleaves House is a short walk from the castle and a combined admission ticket is available.
The Monk's House, in Rodmell near Lewes, was the home of the writer Virginia Woolf. The rooms are presented as they would have appeared during visits by the writers, philosphers and artists that made up the 'Bloomsbury Group'.
Virginia drowned herself here in 1941 and her ashes were scattered throughout the gardens.
Address: Monk's House, Rodmell, Lewes BN7 3HF, England
Hours:
April 4 to October 29: 2pm-5:30pm; Closed: Sun, Mon, Tue, Thu, Fri
Tips: Last admission 5:00 pm.
No dogs in house or garden.
The University of Sussex, founded in 1961, lies 4mi/6.4km west of Lewes. Its main administrative offices are in Stanmer House, a Palladian mansion built between 1720 and 1727; the new buildings were designed by Sir Basil Spence.
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Lewes Castle and Barbican House, Lewes
