Guidebook for East Sussex
Food Scene
Lovely bespoke independent cafe by day and superb restaurant in the evenings...
11 locals recommend
Le Magasin
Lovely bespoke independent cafe by day and superb restaurant in the evenings...
The Sunday Roast is so good you need to book well in advance...amazing food all day everyday!
36 locals recommend
The Swan Inn
30A Southover High StThe Sunday Roast is so good you need to book well in advance...amazing food all day everyday!
Now with restaurants all over the country Lewes is where Bill’s story began and it continues to be an extremely popular destination for locals and visitors from far and wide, sitting in the heart of this pretty town. Open for breakfast, lunch, dinner and everything in between.
52 locals recommend
Bill's Lewes Restaurant
56 Cliffe High StNow with restaurants all over the country Lewes is where Bill’s story began and it continues to be an extremely popular destination for locals and visitors from far and wide, sitting in the heart of this pretty town. Open for breakfast, lunch, dinner and everything in between.
Wonderful Deli serving fantastic sandwiches, takeaway coffee, home made treats, Gluten Free products and an array of health and specialist foods, condiments and luxury goods. Perhaps most importantly though...an excellent array of cheeses!
Beckworths
67 High StWonderful Deli serving fantastic sandwiches, takeaway coffee, home made treats, Gluten Free products and an array of health and specialist foods, condiments and luxury goods. Perhaps most importantly though...an excellent array of cheeses!
Editors Choice in the Best of England;
https://www.bestofengland.com/flint-owl-bakery/
Flint Owl cafe is situated in the heart of Lewes and offers an artful array of loaves positioned next to sweet baked breakfast pastries and cakes. Vibrant bowls of healthy salads are available for take-away lunches and a pretty walled courtyard garden allows for al fresco lunching on warmer days.
43 locals recommend
Flint Owl Bakery
209 High StEditors Choice in the Best of England;
https://www.bestofengland.com/flint-owl-bakery/
Flint Owl cafe is situated in the heart of Lewes and offers an artful array of loaves positioned next to sweet baked breakfast pastries and cakes. Vibrant bowls of healthy salads are available for take-away lunches and a pretty walled courtyard garden allows for al fresco lunching on warmer days.
A street market offering carefully sourced local produce supporting the rural economy. Usually in situ the first and third Saturday of the month. See website for dates;
http://www.commoncause.org.uk/lewes-farmers-market
7 locals recommend
Lewes Farmers' Market
Court RoadA street market offering carefully sourced local produce supporting the rural economy. Usually in situ the first and third Saturday of the month. See website for dates;
http://www.commoncause.org.uk/lewes-farmers-market
Nestling at the foot of Firle Beacon on the South Downs in Sussex, Middle Farm is a 625 acre working family farm. We offer a warm countryside welcome, with something for every member of the family to enjoy. We care passionately about the quality of produce and service within our farm shop and have, for more than fifty years, grown, raised, made and selected only the finest meat, cheese, dressings, pickles & preserves, ice-cream, seasonal fruit & vegetables and even confectionery from like-minded small-scale producers. We are proud to hold more Sussex produce than any other retailer anywhere as we source locally whenever and wherever possible.
54 locals recommend
Middle Farm
Nestling at the foot of Firle Beacon on the South Downs in Sussex, Middle Farm is a 625 acre working family farm. We offer a warm countryside welcome, with something for every member of the family to enjoy. We care passionately about the quality of produce and service within our farm shop and have, for more than fifty years, grown, raised, made and selected only the finest meat, cheese, dressings, pickles & preserves, ice-cream, seasonal fruit & vegetables and even confectionery from like-minded small-scale producers. We are proud to hold more Sussex produce than any other retailer anywhere as we source locally whenever and wherever possible.
Entertainment & Activities
Lewes Castle is open year round, and has a wonderful view from the top of the Keep. Next door is the Barbican House Museum with displays of the history of Sussex.
Lewes Castle was built shortly after the Norman invasion to dominate a former Saxon burh and control a critical portion of the Sussex coast. In 1264 Royal forces deployed from the castle to engage the army of Simon de Montfort but were defeated at the Battle of Lewes. Later the castle was used predominantly as a prison and warehouse. A must see.
115 locals recommend
Lewes Castle & Museum
169 High StLewes Castle is open year round, and has a wonderful view from the top of the Keep. Next door is the Barbican House Museum with displays of the history of Sussex.
Lewes Castle was built shortly after the Norman invasion to dominate a former Saxon burh and control a critical portion of the Sussex coast. In 1264 Royal forces deployed from the castle to engage the army of Simon de Montfort but were defeated at the Battle of Lewes. Later the castle was used predominantly as a prison and warehouse. A must see.
Depot Cinema, an independent state of the art three screen community cinema screening a variety of new releases, documentaries, classics & films for all the family. Great food and well stocked bar also open to the public.
53 locals recommend
Depot
Pinwell RoadDepot Cinema, an independent state of the art three screen community cinema screening a variety of new releases, documentaries, classics & films for all the family. Great food and well stocked bar also open to the public.
Essentials
Waitrose station
Eastgate StreetTesco Superstore
Brooks RoadALDI
Brooks RoadLansdown Health Store
35 High StLocal Independent health food shop.
Shopping
A unique collection of independent shops selling a unique collection of gifts and wares. I love it. Nice in house Cafe too...
17 locals recommend
The Needlemakers
A unique collection of independent shops selling a unique collection of gifts and wares. I love it. Nice in house Cafe too...
Lewes Flea Market. (The Famous!)
14A Market StThe Famous...!
Parks & Nature
Level Riverside and woodland walk that can be exactly what you make it. 20 mins to about an hour max. Great all year round. Keep to the paths or the perimeter or you might get caught out by the smaller waterways!
11 locals recommend
The Railway Land Wildlife Trust
Railway LaneLevel Riverside and woodland walk that can be exactly what you make it. 20 mins to about an hour max. Great all year round. Keep to the paths or the perimeter or you might get caught out by the smaller waterways!
The South Downs Way is one of 15 National Trails in England and Wales. Walking The South Downs Way offers the opportunity to experience some of the finest landscapes in Britain. Footprints of Sussex have a vast amount of experience of organising self-guided walking holidays on The South Downs Way.
- SOUTH DOWNS WAY ANNUAL WALK
- WALKING WEEKENDS & SHORT BREAKS
- SELF GUIDED WALKING HOLIDAYS SOUTH DOWNS WAY -
DOG WALKING HOLIDAYS
- LOCAL WALKS GROUP & BESPOKE WALKS
- THE SOUTH DOWNS WAY NATIONAL TRAIL
Footprints of Sussex
Jarvis LaneThe South Downs Way is one of 15 National Trails in England and Wales. Walking The South Downs Way offers the opportunity to experience some of the finest landscapes in Britain. Footprints of Sussex have a vast amount of experience of organising self-guided walking holidays on The South Downs Way.
- SOUTH DOWNS WAY ANNUAL WALK
- WALKING WEEKENDS & SHORT BREAKS
- SELF GUIDED WALKING HOLIDAYS SOUTH DOWNS WAY -
DOG WALKING HOLIDAYS
- LOCAL WALKS GROUP & BESPOKE WALKS
- THE SOUTH DOWNS WAY NATIONAL TRAIL
Editors Choice in the Best of England;
https://www.bestofengland.com/southover-grange-gardens/
Secluded Southover Grange Gardens are a hidden gem of Lewes. The splendid 16th century Grange itself is built of stones taken from the ruins of the nearby Priory.
The gardens are a true delight in any season and feature statuary and some grand old trees, including a magnificent Mulberry. Free entry from 8.30am until dusk all year. No Dogs.
14 locals recommend
Southover Grange Gardens
18 Southover RdEditors Choice in the Best of England;
https://www.bestofengland.com/southover-grange-gardens/
Secluded Southover Grange Gardens are a hidden gem of Lewes. The splendid 16th century Grange itself is built of stones taken from the ruins of the nearby Priory.
The gardens are a true delight in any season and feature statuary and some grand old trees, including a magnificent Mulberry. Free entry from 8.30am until dusk all year. No Dogs.
Founded in the 11th century by William de Warenne with monks from Cluny in France, the Priory of St Pancras survived until the Dissolution of the Monasteries in 1537.
There is much to see at Priory Park. Walk in the footsteps of medieval monks and imagine how the buildings once looked with the aid of our interpretation panels. A herb garden grows plants that monks would have used for medicinal, culinary and ceremonial purposes. The South Downs frame the site; providing a spectacular setting for a picnic or a dog walk.
6 locals recommend
Lewes Priory Park
Lewes Priory ParkFounded in the 11th century by William de Warenne with monks from Cluny in France, the Priory of St Pancras survived until the Dissolution of the Monasteries in 1537.
There is much to see at Priory Park. Walk in the footsteps of medieval monks and imagine how the buildings once looked with the aid of our interpretation panels. A herb garden grows plants that monks would have used for medicinal, culinary and ceremonial purposes. The South Downs frame the site; providing a spectacular setting for a picnic or a dog walk.
Arts & Culture
At Anne of Cleves House you can explore how the Tudors and Elizabethans lived, worked and relaxed at home.
Find out about the part played by this beautiful medieval house in the story of one of England’s most famous kings, Henry VIII. Other highlights include the authentically furnished kitchen and the garden which uses traditional plants and Tudor planting schemes.
Our café and Tudor tea garden has a separate access to the museum which allows non-museum visitors to come and enjoy a drink in the setting of this beautiful former home. For more details click on Anne of Cleves Cafe & Tudor Tea Garden on left hand menu.
45 locals recommend
Anne of Cleves House
52 Southover High StAt Anne of Cleves House you can explore how the Tudors and Elizabethans lived, worked and relaxed at home.
Find out about the part played by this beautiful medieval house in the story of one of England’s most famous kings, Henry VIII. Other highlights include the authentically furnished kitchen and the garden which uses traditional plants and Tudor planting schemes.
Our café and Tudor tea garden has a separate access to the museum which allows non-museum visitors to come and enjoy a drink in the setting of this beautiful former home. For more details click on Anne of Cleves Cafe & Tudor Tea Garden on left hand menu.