With its historic villages and fine natural scenery, East Sussex offers a wonderful daytrip from London, though there is more than enough to keep you entertained for a longer visit. Walk down quaint cobbled streets, relax in pleasant seaside towns and enjoy exhilarating hikes.
Visit beguiling Rye, once an important port town until its waters retreated more than a century ago. Be charmed by Rye’s cobbled streets and old timbered buildings. Pick up an audio walking tour from the tourist office or make your own way around the town’s intriguing passageways and antique shops.
Eastbourne has 3.5 miles (5.6 kilometres) of palm-tree fringed beachfront. Check out the city’s modern Towner Art Gallery, one of the top exhibition spaces in southeast England. This popular gallery hosts exciting contemporary exhibits, as well as themed shows of pieces from its extensive collection.
The town also marks the start and end point for the South Downs Way, a long-distance footpath that stretches 100 miles (160 kilometres) to Winchester. Running through South Downs National Park, the trail passes woodland, chalk downs, lazy rivers, historic castles and quaint English villages. Walk, cycle or ride along the well-marked trails. Don’t miss the iconic cliffs of the Seven Sisters and Beachy Head, with their striking white colour contrasting against the surrounding green hills and blue waters below.
Be sure to see the town of Battle, where the iconic Battle of Hastings occurred in 1066. This defining battle took place on what is now the site of Battle Abbey. The abbey altar is positioned on the spot where King Harold is said to have been wounded in the eye with an arrow. Learn more about the battle with the site’s excellent audio tour and watch the informative film played in the visitors’ centre.
East Sussex is connected to London Victoria Coach station by National Express bus. Fly to the closest airport, London Gatwick in West Sussex, or reach the county by train.