Lewes, East Sussex
When you're on your large family holiday in East Sussex it’s easy to while away a day in Lewes, exploring the medieval streets and narrow alleyways (what they call ‘twittens’ in these parts); sure, the shops are great – you’ll see some of the big name stores, but it’s mostly smaller independent shops with plenty in the way of antiques, vintage, books, music and crafts. It’s also quite a foodie town, with specialist delis and several brisk markets where local traders set up their stalls and spend time chatting to customers.
Take a stroll around the town, taking in the 15th century bookshop housed in a crooked timber framed building (there are several of these in Lewes), amble up the steep and cobbled Scare Hill, lined with cute little cottages and Georgian houses where roses playfully clamber up over the walls; go the The Needlemakers, a historic former factory, now full of little shops selling the quirky and the homemade.
Book a tour of Harvey’s brewery and find out how they make their beer; on Tuesdays they deliver it around the town by horse and cart! See how people lived back in Tudor and Elizabethan times at Anne of Cleeves House, wander up to Lewes Castle for amazing views over the town and the South Downs, take five in Southover Grange Gardens or Priory Park, walk along the River Ouse. If you’re here in November, don’t miss the Bonfire Night celebrations and fireworks display, the streets are packed with happy revellers and the air is alive with fun and merriment.
The town has several restaurants, cafes and pubs for when your tummy starts to rumble; try The Pelham Arms for gastropub classics, or The Lewes Arms for a real friendly local ambience.
All information correct at the time of writing