If you’ve been following our recent posts, you’ll know we’re a big fan of Eastbourne. And it’s not just the town (with its reputation for being the sunniest town in the UK) because the surrounding area is a veritable feast of beautiful places and quirky things to do. So this week, grab your trainers and your sense of adventure and head out to enjoy our favourite things to do near Eastbourne.
The Long Man at Wilmington …
If you love strange things, local folklore and folk art, then you have to visit two local landmarks, the first of which is the Long Man at Wilmington. The Long Man is 235 feet tall, holding two “staves” and is cut into the grass. His provenance is not entirely clear, with historians disagreeing about how old he is, who created him and what he symbolises.
The Long Man is easy to find. Just turn off the A27 at Wilmington, pass through the village and park at the car park next to the remains of Wilmington Priory. From there, the Long Man is visible and there is a footpath straight to his feet and then up and beyond across the South Downs. Whatever the truth about his origins, there is something very charismatic and benign about his presence.
And the White Horse
Head three miles south west and you’ll find another local landmark, the White Horse at Litlington, a chalk horse, situated on Hindover Hill (known locally as High-and-Over) on the South Downs. Once again, the history of the horse is unclear but it is thought that a previous horse was cut into the hill here in the early to mid 19th century. The current horse was cut in 1924 by John T, Ade, Mr Bovis and Eric Hobbis in just one night and is 93 feet long and 65 feet high. The horse has been owned by the National Trust since 1991.
You’ll find the Hindover Hill car park just south of the entrance to Rathfinny vineyard. From here, you can walk down to the horse, although to get the best views of it, you need to walk the steep path all the way down to the valley below. Regardless of whether you have time for this, you will still enjoy the most amazing views of the Cuckmere River and Friston Forest.
The Clergy House, Alfriston
Alfriston Clergy House is a Grade II* listed building next to St Andrew’s Church. It was the first property to be acquired by the National Trust in 1896 for which they paid £10. It is thought that it was built by a local carpenter and purchased in 1403 by John Carlton, the first priest appointed by Michelham Priory to Alfriston. The house is built in the style of a Wealden Hall house and recent research has shown that the trees used to build it were felled between 1399 and 1407.
You can visit the house and gardens in the summer months. Nearby, you’ll also see a WWII mine that washed up in the River Cuckmere in 1943!
Motoring madness at Filching Manor Motor Museum
On the road from Friston to Wannock, you’ll pass the Filching Manor Motor Museum. This is a privately owned collection that is not generally open to the public but you can book tours of 6+ people (at £10/person). There are two parts to a visit here. Firstly, the main house itself is Grade II listed and dates back to 1450. With a high vaulted hall, it has lots of original features and secondly, a large motor-related collection of assorted items.
From the house, you walk up to a series of large sheds which are packed to the rafters with motoring and speed boating memorabilia. Amongst the collection is Sir Malcolm Campbell’s Bluebird K3 world record-breaking boat, a Bedford van that appeared in a Beetles’ film, several Bugatti cars, a 1904 chain-driven Mercedes racing car and more. So much more. Definitely one for the petrol heads.
Martello towers
There is something about a Martello tower that is captivating and the Eastbourne area is blessed with a few. Visit one, or make a day of it and follow the Martello trail:
Bloomsbury Group works and highlights
The area to the west of Eastbourne is famed for being home to the group of radical free thinkers and creatives, the Bloomsbury Group. You can visit Berwick Church which has elaborate paintings by Duncan Grant, Vanessa Bell and Vanessa’s son Quentin Bell or you can do one of a series of walks that takes you to Charleston and or Monk’s House (homes of Vanessa Bell and Virginia Woolf):
Herstmonceux and Observatory
Who doesn’t love a castle? Herstmonceux Castle is a Tudor castle that dates to the 15th century and was commissioned by Sir Roger Fiennes, Treasurer to the Household of Henry VI. It has a moat, substantial grounds and gardens although the interior is currently only available to visit as part of the Castle Tour tickets. At the entrance to the castle grounds is the Observatory Science Centre – an interactive science and discovery centre with domes and telescopes and a full programme of events.
Michelham Priory
If you are not tired yet, head north of Eastbourne to Michelham Priory. Owned by The Sussex Archaeological Society, the priory was founded by Augustinian canons in 1229. It’s had a busy history since and in WWII was home to evacuees and the Canadian Army. There are all sorts of displays reflecting the different periods as well as seven acres of grounds and buildings to explore including: the Elizabethan Great Barn; medieval gatehouse; and the kitchen, physic and medieval herb gardens.
Pevensey
To the east of Eastbourne is the little town of Pevensey which packs quite a punch! Its biggest attraction is its castle (which dates back to Roman times) where William the Conqueror briefly stayed on his way inland. But it also has a jail, interesting churches, great walks and the famous Mint House.
Fabulous walks
It’s no surprise that this area was awash with smugglers in centuries past and the gangs of Alfriston (led by Stanton Collins) and the Jevington Jig (led by James Petit) have left their mark on the area. The smugglers would land their goods at the Birling Gap or Crowlink (now inland but once home to E Nesbit of The Railway Children) and then make their way via the valleys and footpaths to Alfriston or Jevington. And if you’re looking for things to do near Eastbourne, you could follow roughly in their footsteps.
From Birling Gap to Alfriston is between 10 and 12 km depending on which way you travel and will take you via Friston Forest, Cuckmere Valley and the South Downs Way. And of course, finish your walk with refreshments at Ye Olde Smugglers Inn in the centre of Alfriston which had six staircases, 48 doors and a maze of passageways and tunnels by which smugglers could escape.
For more fabulous walks in the area, try:
Go on a booze cruise
There are some first-rate, boozy hot spots in this area that include Rathfinny vineyard. You’ll see the vines standing proud on the South Downs on the road from Seaford to Alfriston and if you drive up the long concrete drive, you can enjoy tours, tasting or just relax with refreshments from their new horsebox in deckchairs overlooking the vines. When you’re ready, head on over to Long Man Brewery, Church Farm in Litlington, where they offer brewery tours and tastings (although you need to pre-book).
A foodie experience
If you have visited Jevington, you will pass some cottages which were formerly The Hungry Monk Restaurant and the birthplace of Banoffee Pie! Sadly, the restaurant is now closed but there are plenty of fine places to eat in this area which include The Star and The Alfriston, and Rathfinny’s restaurant and tasting menu.
The market at East Dean
East Dean market is a great local market held every Wednesday where you can buy local produce, arts and crafts. It’s almost next door to an old church with a Saxon tower and an unusual Tapsel gate.
Cuckmere Haven and Birling Gap
Four of the most popular attractions in this part of the world are Seven Sisters, Cuckmere Haven, Birling Gap and Beachy Head. However, in recent years, these spots have become ridiculously popular and busy. Best advice is to go out of peak season (and if you want solitude, choose a bleak day), take the bus (or walk) but don’t drive. Perhaps try canoeing up the stunning and winding Cuckmere River. Alternatively, head inland a little for somewhere less like the Pevensey Levels. They are stunning beauty spots but they are greatly in need of our care and respect.
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