More to do
We have listed the larger, better known towns below, however there are many just off the beaten track with great walks and pubs. Have a look at http://www.britainexpress.com/counties/eastsussex/az/index.htm
- Eastbourne - 3 miles
- Battle - 7 miles
- Glyndebourne - 12 miles
- Lewes - 12 miles
- Brighton - 15 miles
- Old Hastings - 15 miles
- Rye - 25 miles
Walking
East Sussex is loaded with wonderful walks with varying degree of difficulty and beautiful landscapes from Beachy Headto the South Downs Way and the Ashdown Forest with all in between.
Have a look at the following links for inspiration:
Vineyards and Breweries
The Vineyards and Wineries of Kent and Sussex are wonderful places to take a tour, learn about wine growing and get to taste the local wines. Great to explore as a day out and especially lovely as a birthday or anniversary treat!
Kent and Sussex Vineyards
- Biddenden Vineyard and Cider Works, Biddenden, Kent
- The oldest commercial vineyard in Kent offering wine tours around the 22 acre site in beautiful Biddenden. As well as wine, they produce pressed juices and the famous Biddenden Cider.
- Chapel Down Winery, Tenterden, Kent
- Chapel Down Winery Guided Tours of the Vineyard and Winery run daily (June to Sept) and weekends only in May and October and last for approximately an hour and a quarter. Please visit the website to check tour times and book. The Swan restaurant offers a top quality restaurant in a lovely setting.
- Carr-Taylor Vineyard, Seddlescombe, East Sussex
- A super 37 acres site located in an area of outstanding natural beauty in 1066 country, this family run vineyard offers a good range of still and sparkling wines.
- Sedlescombe Organic Vineyard, Sedlescombe, East Sussex
- http://nyetimber.com, West Chiltington, West Susssex
- While not “local” Nyetimber are located in West Sussex just an hour and 30 minutes away, and since their original plantings of classic varieties in 1988, have established themselves as England's premier sparkling wine house, making world class wines to rival (and often beat in blind tastings) the big names of Champagne. A visit to Nyetimber could take in the beauty of West Sussex to include Chichester Harbour and Arundel Castle.
- The Filo Brewing Company produces half a dozen great ales at it’s Hastings micro-brewery and also runs the First In Last Out pub, Hastings old Town
- Shepherd Neame Brewery Visitor Centre, Faversham Kent
- Britains oldest brewer! Offering interesting tours of the brewery including evening supper tours with delicious home cooked food included.
Boutique brewing is booming in the East Sussex countryside. Have a look here for further inspiration. http://www.brightoncamra.org.uk/Breweries.html
Sporting
As well as walking routes, Pevensey Bay and East Sussex offers a broad range of fun for the active including road cycling, mountain biking, tennis, sailing, horse riding, beach fishing, paragliding etc. Here is some information that most likely scratches the surface.
Aegon International Tennis
The worlds best tennis players to come Eastbourne during July as a key part of the Wimbledon preparation tour. This delightful tournament is inexpensive to attend and gets you up and close to the stars playing.
You can also book out courts here to play unlike the hallowed turf of the All England Club
https://www.lta.org.uk/major-events/Aegon-International-Eastbourne/
American Express Community Center and Brighton and Hove Albion FC
Home of the Seagulls, this state of the art stadium has been host to World Cup Rugby Fixtures as well of course, to home day matches.
Hickstead
Hickstead is known as the home of British showjumping, its two flagship international meetings, the Equestrian.com Hickstead Derby Meeting and the Longines Royal International Horse Show, are among the very best highlights of the global equestrian calendar.
Hickstead also hosts and number of Polo competitions and concerts which are well worth keeping a look out for.
Paragliding
The beauty of the Downs and wind patterns in the region offer amazing and incredibly scenic paragliding opportunities. The nearest is 10 miles away in Glynde.
Sailing
The Pevensey Bay Sailing school is right on the door step and offers RYAdinghy sailing courses and as well as windsurfing courses.
Fishing charters
The Anglers Den fishing shop located in Pevensey Bay shops has all the equipment and advice you need to know about fishing in the area.
Sovereign Harbour is just 3 miles away and apart from its many restaurants and bars, this the home Eastbourne’s fishing fleet and charter companies. The waters in this area have exceptional fishing- cod, bass, turbot, mackerel etc. Have a look at for options. http://www.anglersdensussex.co.uk/article.php/34/charter_boats_eastbourne_sovereign_harbour
Theatre and the Arts
Glyndebourne
In the world of opera, Glyndebourne is unique. It is recognised globally as one of the great opera houses. Its productions travel worldwide, are performed live in other opera houses and screened in cinemas from New York to Tokyo.
Performances are staged in a modern, world-class opera house seating 1,200. You can picnic in the grounds if you wish but there’s also a choice of excellent restaurants.
The De La Warr Pavillion
The De La Warr Pavilion is a wonderful art deco arts and culture center on the beach front in Bexhill hosting well known comedy, theatre and music performances.
Eating out
Local to Pevensey
- Raipur Indian Restaurant is a really excellent curry house that wouldn't be out of place in smarter parts of London – with out the prices. The also do take out.The Castle Inn in Pevensey Bay is a cosy local pub with good home cooked food and selection of ales and beers.
- The Royal Oak in Pevensey Village is a well run comfortable pub again good home cooked food and a good stop after a wander around the Castle.
- The recently renovated Star Inn in Normans Bay has a good reputation and is a good walk from the house.
- Pick of the bunch is The Lamb Inn in Wartling circa 3 miles away in the way to Hertsmonceux Castle. Its quirky interior, open fire, turn table and LP music collection married with good food, wine and beer makes for a wonderful stop off point. http://www.lambinnwartling.co.uk
- Sovereign Harbour hosts a number of restaurants with the Thai Mariner and Ganges indian standing head and shoulders above the rest.
Further afield
- The George in Alfristonhttp://thegeorge-alfriston.com
- The Rose Cottage Alciston http://www.therosecottageinn.com
Food shopping
- The nearest supermarket is Asda in Sovereign Harbor followed byAldi, Tesco and Morrisons 4 miles from Pevensey. There is a Waitrose and a number of speciality butchers, delis and a fishmonger in Eastbourne - see below.
- Fantastic fish shop in Eastbourne- The Southern Head Fishing Co has a huge selection of fresh fish. Its always heaving there so give yourself a bit of time.
- Barley and Sugar is an excellent deli in Eastbourne – really fantastic cheese selection too. http://www.barley-sugar.co.uk
- The best family butcher in Eastbourne is J E Heath and Son http://www.jheathandson.co.uk/news_awards.html
- The Sharnfold Farm Shop http://www.sharnfoldfarm.co.uk