Lewes
From World travel guide
Lewes is the county town of East Sussex.
Contents |
Get in
By Train from London Victoria (70 min), Brighton (20 min) or Eastbourne, Hastings, ...
By Bus from Brighton (30 min) or Eastbourne.
Get around
Just walk. There is a town bus, but the place isn't really big enough to bother.
See
This is the best place to celebrate Guy Fawkes night (5 Nov), with torchlit parades through town followed by fireworks displays by six local bonfire societies. The town is closed to traffic on Guy Fawkes night, and additional trains are laid on from Brighton.
Do
Year round attractions include Lewes Castle, Anne-of-Cleves house, and historic architecture. This is also a good place to go walking on the South Downs.
Buy
Lewes is rightly proud of being one of the least "modernised" towns in England. You'll find lots of small independent businesses here, and Lewes shops are particularly good for women's clothing, art, second hand books and antiques.
Eat
The Snowdrop pub in South Street does good veggie food and organic meats - check out the painting of the Snowdrop for which this pub is named. Its not as innocent as it sounds. You'll also find Indian, Chinese, Thai, Italian, and English restaurants. Most of the pubs do food. http://www.snowdropinn.co.uk/
Drink
Harvey's bitter. One of the oldest independent breweries is right in the middle of town. Sample their wares at the John Harvey tavern, or get take-aways from the Brewery shop on Cliffe high street. Fine wines, too. http://www.harveys.org.uk/
Sleep
The 16th Century White Hart Inn is charming, central and the service is great.
Get out
The night life is basically pubs and restaurants, but Brighton is 20 minutes away with all the night life that you probably came to avoid. Still, its there if you want it. Glyndebourne is an internationally renowned opera house, just a few miles from Lewes. Enjoy great opera in a purpose built opera house situated in the grounds of an English stately home. The 80 minute intervals allow you to enjoy a picnic on the lawns.
External links
- Friends of Lewes: http://www.friends-of-lewes.org.uk/index.html
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