Attractions

Excellent for cycling, walking and sightseeing. Local taxi service available.

Comprehensive range of tourist information available.

Whether your interest is touring, sightseeing, bird watching, or walking the country paths, the area around Bo-peep is an excellent starting point -  Lewes, Glyndebourne Opera House, Charleston Farmhouse, Brighton and Eastbourne are all nearby.

Walkers and Cyclists welcomed.

Directions and maps are available for many circular walks from the house between 2 and 7 miles. So, whether you just want a gentle stroll to take in some country air, a walk to the next village for a drink / meal at the pub, explore the nearby Friston Forest And Seven Sisters Country Park or climb to the top of the Downs to see the Bronze Age Tombs and take in the stunning views, there is something for everyone. Many other walks are available just a short journey away

The Sustrans Cycle Path  Network is close by and there are routings available for riders to take the Cuckoo Trail cycle path from Polegate to Heathfield.  There are main other cycle routes around the lanes of the Cuckmere Valley including the ride down to Cuckmere Haven

Several National Trust properties are within easy reach including Batemans, Nymans Gardens, Upparrk Manor House, Standen House, Monks House, Bodiam Castle and of course the world famous Sheffield Park Gardens.

Others gardens close by include Borde Hill Gardens, Leonardslee Gardens and Kew Gardens Millennium seed-bank at Wakehurst Place.

The cosmopolitan seaside town of Brighton is 15 minutes drive away with attractions including The Royal Pavilion, The Lanes Shopping Area and the Palace Pier, while Eastbourne with it’s seven miles of seafront and historic Hastings are to the East.

Other attractions further afield include The Weald and Downland Open Air Museum, Fishbourne Roman Palace, Arundel Castle, Arundel Wildfowl Park, Bentley Wildfowl and Motor Museum, Parham House and Gardens, The Bluebell Railway, etc. etc. the list is endless.

We are also only just over an hour away from London so why not catch the train from Berwick or Lewes and you can enjoy Carnaby, Regent and Oxford Streets as well as theatre land.

 
Just an hour from Brighton, the Cuckmere Valley and its largest village, Alfriston, offers visitors the best of the British countryside.

The valley forms part of the South Downs Way, and many walkers take advantage of the position to enjoy the marvellous views this path offers. Other walks offer less strenuous opportunities for enjoying the natural scenery.

Alfriston

The historically-minded will be fascinated by Alfriston, a beautiful Medieval village boasting a fantastic church, St Andrews, "The Cathedral of the Downs", as well as the first building acquired by the National Trust, the Clergy House.

Throughout the region, B&Bs, hotels, tea gardens, pubs and restaurants welcome guests with delicious fare. Unique and delightful shops help make the day memorable for all visitors.

(Alfriston is just moments from the A27, from the roundabout by Drusilla's Zoo. The valley may be reached by trains stopping at Berwick and at Polegate, as well as by regular bus services from Seaford, Eastbourne and Lewes during the week; a local community bus runs on weekends. Call 01323 871 272 for more information).

Useful Links

www.visitsouthdowns.com - For more information on the Cuckmere Valley visit

www.alfriston.net - Up to date information on celebrations taking place in the village over summer.

www.ruralways.co.uk - includes information on days out by public transport.

www.alfriston-village.co.uk - The official website of the village of Alfriston.
 

www.drusillaszoo.co.uk - Ideal day out for families.

www.glyndebourneoperahouse.co.uk  -  The official website for Glyndebourne Opera House.

www.alfristonline.co.uk - Essential Alfriston and Cuckmere Valley information.

www.beachyhead.org.uk - Useful information about Beachy Head and the surrounding area.

www.bedandbreakfastdirect.co.uk - Information about Bed and Breakfast within the UK.

www.hotelsandguesthouses.net - Bed and Breakfasts within the UK

Things to Do

We have a few suggested itineraries for your visit to Sussex. These include some of the many National Trust properties, Historic Towns and breath taking Countryside all within easy reach of our establishment.

Whether your interests lie in horticulture, antiques, literature, art, crafts, history or just finding a quiet place to relax in a beautiful setting there is something for everyone in Sussex. We are conveniently located in the middle of the County within an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

Day 1 - Standen and Nymans

A full English breakfast is the best start for a day of horticultural and historical exploration/enrichment. An hours drive through lovely Wealden countryside brings you to Standen. This National Trust property is a showpiece of the Arts and Craft Movement. Spend the morning touring the house and the original Morris & Co. Wallpapers and fabrics of this 1890's family home. Afterwards relax and appreciate the fine views of Sussex countryside from the garden or take a walk in the delightful woodlands of the high weald. After a light lunch at Standen or one of the Public houses it's a short drive to Nymans Garden. Nymans is a stunning mixture of delightful old roses and diverse collections from all over the world. The Messel Family developed the gardens for three generations and the family rooms, within the picturesque setting of romantic ruins, are open during the main season. The vibrant colours, scents and textures of the gardens and the woodlands walks are suitable for all ages and the garden is wheelchair accessible.

Day 2 - Sheffield Park Garden

Sheffield Park Garden is a stunning year round attraction. This internationally renowned landscaped garden is a true haven from the busy modern world. The park is recognised as the premier garden for stunning autumn colour. It also has four large lakes reflecting the colours of nature each linked by waterfalls and cascades. There are lots of benches positioned for fine views in the 120 acres. Why not take a picnic and spend the day. There is good wheelchair access and children's activities. Only ½ mile away is the station for a quick trip on the famous preserved steam engine at the Bluebell railway.

Day 3 - Lewes

A day in the Historic County Town of Lewes. After breakfast a 15 minute drive will bring you to Lewes where there is so much to see you'll have a hard time deciding where to go first. Lewes is a beautiful old town based around the Castle with views of rolling downland, chalk cliffs to the south, woodland to the north. The river Ouse runs through the town. The Castle and Priory were built around the time of the Saxon landings in 1066. The town boasts medieval streets, twittens and many craft shops and workshops and the extraordinary 17th Century book shop. In the Town you will also find Anne of Cleves House kept as it was when Anne was sent there by Henry the VIII. In Lewes you will find Monk's House the Country retreat of Virginia Woolf; the house is open Wednesday and Saturday Afternoons and is kept as it was when the Bloomsbury Group of Writers and Artists would have visited. Only short drives from Lewes are the attractions of Seven Sisters Country Park and Alfriston.

Day 4 - Batemans and Bodiam Castle

Go north to sample Rudyard Kipling’s Batemans. (closed Thurs & Fri) The interior of this beautiful 17th-century house, his home from 1902 to 1936, reflects the author's strong associations with the East. There are many oriental rugs and artefacts, and most of the rooms – including his book-lined study – are much as Kipling left them. The delightful grounds run down to the small River Dudwell with its watermill, and contain roses, wild flowers, fruit and herbs. Kipling's Rolls-Royce is also on display.

Lunch can them be had at one of the many excellent pubs around the area before going north to Bodiam Castle. One of the most famous and evocative castles in Britain, Bodiam was built in 1385, as both a defence and a comfortable home. The exterior is virtually complete and the ramparts rise dramatically above the moat. Enough of the interior survives to give an impression of castle life. There are spiral staircases and battlements to explore and wonderful views of the Rother Valley from the top of the towers. In the impressive gatehouse is the castle's original wooden portcullis, an extremely rare example of its kind.

Day 5 - Wakehurst Place

A short drive brings you to Wakehurst Place known to some as 'Kews Country Garden'. Wakehurst is another year round garden with lakes, lawns, exotic trees and water features but there's more. In the 500acres at Wakehurst Place there are four National Collections plus rare and exotic plants from the Himalayas and the Southern Hemisphere. The scale of the gardens can be appreciated from the extensive woodland or the stunning secluded valley. One of the main highlights is the recently constructed Millennium Seed Bank.

Day 6 - Hastings

The highlights of East Sussex can be taken in on a trip to Hastings. When William the Conqueror set foot on English shores in 1066 Hastings was a flourishing port. He built his first castle here and made the town his base, though the celebrated Battle of Hastings actually took place six miles to the north at a place that was rather unimaginatively named Battle.  The Old Town is made up of narrow streets and half-timbered buildings and you can learn all about local history at the Old Town Hall Museum. For two more Hasting’s museums you should go to Rock-a-Nore Road, where you will find the Fisherman’s Centre and the Shipwreck Heritage Centre. Though Castle Hill probably has the best of the museums with the 1066 Story and the Smugglers Adventure.

If history isn't really your thing then take a day trip to Underwater World, it is a fantastic experience bringing all the wonders of the ocean right before your eyes, they have seahorses, stinging jellyfish, camouflaged cuttlefish, sinister octopi, inquisitive rays and much more. You can even walk the 15 metre glass tunnel walkway underneath the reef and get a fish eye view.

The South Downs Way

The following information is taken from the website on the South Downs Way www.nationaltrail.co.uk

Generally speaking the South Downs Way takes about 6 – 9 days to walk.

Most people who are reasonably fit can do 12 –15 miles (say 20km) per day, but you might want to include a shorter day in the middle if you’re not used to long distance walking.  Usually you’ll need to allow for an extra couple of miles (3km) or so each day to get to and from your accommodation as well as the “on Trail” distance.

Ideal weekend walking

If you can’t spare so much time in one go, why not walk the route over a few weekends or a couple of short breaks?  Any reasonably fit person can complete the walk.

Mobility problems

People with mobility problems can still access parts of the Trail, and disabled people with “Tramper” type off road buggies can complete the entire route.  Contact the South Downs Way National Trail Officer by phone or email for more information.

Cyclists

The time it takes to cycle the South Downs Way is harder to estimate as so much depends on your personal fitness and equipment.  As a very rough guide, casual cyclists will take 3 to 4 days, regular off road cyclists about 3, and the very fit cyclist looking for a challenge could do it in two.  If you’re capable of cycling 100 miles off road in just one day then you’ll know about it!  You will need an off road (mountain) bike, and you will need to be used to cycling all day off road if you are to enjoy cycling the South Downs Way.

The best time to visit

The best times to complete the South Downs Way are May, June, and September when the weather is at its best.  In the school summer holidays (mid July and August) the eastern half can be a bit busier than usual, but it is rarely crowded once you get away from a car park.  Be prepared for both hot days and the possibility of a thunderstorm in high summer.

General advice

The path mostly runs on farm tracks and significant mud is rare.  Unless the weather is very good proper boots are always advisable for walkers, however.  Break them in well before starting!  Cyclists should be careful of loose stones and approaching road junctions – wear a cycling helmet.  All users should carry plenty of water as it can be difficult to get refill a water bottle during the day. Horse riders might find a collapsible bucket (so they can water their horses from a tap as well as a trough) helpful.