We might be a tad biased on this one, but we think that Sussex ticks just about every box when it comes to writing that holiday wish list.
Culture, countryside & countless places to eat & drink. Sussex has it all.
Whether you’re a seasoned local, or if you’ve landed in the area for your holiday, here are our five favourite ways to while away the hours this spring & summer.
*Passport & Visa not required.
From the second you step out the door at the Bull (or peep between the curtains) you can see the rolling hills of the Sussex Downs. Nearby Ditchling Beacon is famous for being a popular destination for walkers, and the sprawling countryside offers plenty by way of scenic satisfaction. Perfect for a pooch mooch too.
Still, you don’t need to be an experienced rambler to slip on your walking boots and go for a stomp. Marvel at vastness of the landscape, the size of the sky, the changing seasons – take time to see, smell and hear it all in glorious technicolour. Great way to work up an appetite, wouldn’t you say?
Taxi into the heart of Brighton – a British holiday goer’s paradise. Beach bums can settle on the stones for a spot of people watching. The famous arcade on the pier transports you back to childhood, with the tantalisingly repetitive 2p machines and the scent of those irresistible sugar coated doughnuts.
Loaf about in the labyrinthian Laines, popping in & out of the independent shops you’ll discover there. Revel in the vibrant nightlife. Visit the fascinating cluster of eclectic bars along the shoreline, where you can hear the fiddle-dee-dee of live music. Make sure you get an ice cream at one of the myriad outlets on the front (be sure to watch out for the greedy seagulls)
Ditchling is a quaint, chocolate box village with some of its buildings dating back to Tudor times (including us)
Walking around here is like stepping back in time. 1940’s style Nutmeg Café offers delicious, traditional cream teas, and 12th century St Margaret’s church sits prettily atop a hill at the centre of everything.
In the heart of the village is Ditchling Museum, which displays artworks produced by artists associated with our beautiful village. It is an award-winning attraction in it’s own right, with regularly changing exhibitions, a dedicated learning space plus shop & café. There are often exciting workshops, exhibitions and we’ve even had talks from Keith Wilson, from the Great Pottery Throwdown.
Ok, we don’t like to blow our own trumpet, but Sussex is kinda a big deal when it comes to wine.
It’s thought that the growing of grapes, and the production of wine in the region has been taking place for over 2000 years. Our cooler climate, and limestone-y chalk soils mean we can produce high-quality grapes; which is especially perfect for top tier sparkling wines (take THAT Champagne!)
We’re blessed with around 70 vineyards, a couple of which are right on our doorstep. Local winemakers Ridgeview is a brief 6mins taxi ride away, and you can book a tour to see their plump little Chardonnay grapes growing on the vine (of course, there’s the all-important tasting too)
Nyetimber is slightly father afield, but it’s certainly worth the cross county jaunt. Or, if all that seems like too much effort, simply order yourself a bottle of their Classic Cuvee here, and kick-back in our garden to enjoy it in peace.
Let’s face it, Sussex boasts an impressive selection of fantastic places to dine.
There’s no better way to get a feel for a region than by tasting some of its produce. Our pub menu showcases sweet Nutbourne tomatoes, and for breakfast, dippy eggs from our neighbours at Mac’s Farm. Local Harvey’s ale on the bar, and Ditchling Gin. Lovely.
Venture out and enjoy the Chef’s Menu at The Flint House in the South Lanes where you can devour seemingly endless tasting dishes, with fresh drinks as sidekicks to accompany each course. For the traditional folks among us, how about proper Fish & Chips at Regency Restaurant on the seafront? Fresh oysters at Riddel & Finns? Honestly, you can’t go wrong.
Well, hopefully you’ve now hopped on our band wagon and can agree that Sussex really is ‘all that’ (and a bag of chips)
If our ideas have inspired you to pack your bags and head to Sussex, then our a stay at our olde-worlde pub with rooms is just the ticket.
Time to tick off some boxes on that holiday wish list.
We follow Head Chef Lisa as she takes us through the origin story of her dish…
Light on? How many pillows? We’ve put together this guide to getting a good kip…
Commit to full immersion in the moment and you’ll be a master in no time…