Lewes and the area of Sussex surrounding the secret campsite are full of invigorating places to visit.
We have the spectacular landscapes of the south downs just 3 miles away at Offham, the beautiful coastline of Beachy Head and the Seven Sisters just 20 miles away and the wild beauty of the Ashdown Forest just 8 miles away near Maresfield.
The ancient town of Lewes, county town of Sussex, is filled with interesting shops, a castle and other monuments as well as the most unhinged bonfire festival in the country and a hiughly independent spirit including its own currency, the Lewes pound
To help everyone staying here we have an extensive collection of flyers from many local destinations including walks, pubs, tourist attractions, town maps and museums and local houses and gardens. This library of documents and leaflets is situated in the washing up area where we also have lots of information about the Secret Campsite and the immediate area.
This time I will deal with great places to visit, and i’ll follow up with places to eat and drink locally.
The South Downs National Park is 3 miles away at Offham. There you can cycle, walk, bird and sheep watch, picnic in the sunshine with unbelievable views to the sea, or just explore Devils Dyke, and amble down for lunch at a sleepy downland pub such as the Half Moon at Plumpton
The Ashdown Forest is 9 miles away where you can enjoy Pooh sticks on Winnie the Poohs own bridge, or cream teas at The Duddleswell Tea Rooms, followed by wildlife spotting across the open heath.
The beaches, coastline and beautiful scenery have many other distractions some of which I have listed below. To have a real adventure you should contact Nigel and Maria from So Sussex who arrange trips and tours of the area for individuals and groups. You can go hiking, fishing, mushroom walking, mountain biking or canoeing.
Middle Farm is an exciting open farm on the A27 near Firle, and Drusillas Zoo Park is a little further on towards Eastbourne and has lemurs, meerkats, monkeys, reptiles, and birds. En route you could stop off for a quick tour at Charleston the Sussex home of the Bloomsbury set
Lewes and Burgess Hill both have great leisure centres with brilliant swimming pools, and Plumpton has a national hunt racecourse
There is an amazing Observatory at Hurstmonceux which is alwauys worth a trip even when the weather is a bit drab.
We are lucky to have a couple of local steam train running The famous Bluebell Railway at Sheffield Park is a great day out and there is the diminutive Lavendar Line at Isfield although i am still waiting for their leaflets from the Chairman.
There are some great walks in the local area at the Chailey Commons Society and we have heaps of routes available at reception for walks all around the local part of the South Downs or you can downoad copies in advance.
A particular favourites of mine is a wander through Knowlands Wood and across the fields to The Anchor Inn for an afternoons boating on the river Ouse. This can be followed up with some Wild swimming in the river ouse at Barcombe Mills
For people loving a swim you can also indulge yourselves in one of the countrys few spring fed outdoor swimming pools The Pells Pool in Lewes. It is old and cold but great fun on a hot afternoon. You can even get a curry from Chaulas 5 minutes down the road straight afterwards to warm up
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