You may be feeling a little glum about the shorter days and colder nights, but winter is a wonderful time to explore, discover and indulge, and our latest Sussex Exclusive Winter Issue Magazine is packed with inspiration to help you make the most of the season.
From fabulous winter weekend breaks, fascinating interviews and exhibitions to festive markets, gorgeous days out, long-distance hikes and shorter, accessible walks, we’ve got plenty of reasons to wrap up warm and head out into Sussex. There are beautiful places to stay, itineraries to follow and hidden gems to discover. For food lovers, we’ve got our usual Flavour Hunter celebrating fantastic local produce, three heartwarming winter recipes and some wonderful country pubs to explore.
Closer to home, we’re sharing ideas for kitchen renovations, home staging and inspiring winter gardens, alongside our best buys for winter and Christmas. Add to that our unique Sussex prescription for six ways to weekend well, recommended reading, business networking tips and our usual quiz, and there’s something for everyone. But if you’re dreaming of escaping a little further afield, we’re taking you across the Channel to the beautiful Cognac region of France for a fabulous taste of its history, landscapes and, of course, its famous spirit.
Filled with stunning photography, inspiring features and practical advice, alongside travel and lifestyle features, you’ll also find business insights, expert guidance and ideas to help you make the most of life in Sussex.
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Inspiring destinations and itineraries
Winter is the perfect time for a little escape, and we’ve got two gorgeous weekend break ideas to tempt you. Head to historic Midhurst in November for the iconic Midhurst Jazz, Food and Blues Festival, with plenty of time to explore this charming market town. Or plan a January reset in Eastbourne, with hearty walks along the promenade, fresh sea air and nights spent under the stars.
If you’re someone who tends to retreat indoors as the days get shorter, our After Dark feature has some fabulous ideas for discovering a different side of Sussex after the light fades. And if you’re looking for a few things to look forward to as winter unfolds, you’ll love our Winter Stepping Stones, celebrating those special seasonal moments that help us embrace winter rather than simply survive it.
For a wonderful winter’s day out, why not head to Hastings Old Town? Embrace the wild, windswept weather as you wander its ancient twittens, climb the hills to the castle and explore the fishing boats and shipwrecks along the shore. It’s a fabulous place to discover in the quieter winter months. And we haven’t forgotten the walkers amongst you. With 1066 fever well and truly upon us, we’re exploring one of the county’s most iconic long-distance walks: the 1066 Country Walk, from Pevensey via Battle to Rye. Winding through the very heart of Battle of Hastings country, this historic trail takes in two castles, ancient churches, sculptures, Battle Abbey and some glorious Sussex countryside, before finishing in beautiful Rye. And what better way to enjoy the experience than with an overnight stay at the gorgeous Crafted at PowderMills, just outside Battle?
But don’t worry if long-distance walking isn’t your thing. We’ve also got three stunning shorter walks to enjoy, alongside three accessible routes for those with mobility challenges. There’s something to tempt everyone outdoors this winter.
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In conversation with…
We’ve got two fabulous interviews in this edition that we think you’re going to love. We recently sat down with award-winning, internationally bestselling author Kate Mosse for a fascinating and inspiring conversation about everything from female icons to the forgotten women of history. And if her stories leave you wanting more, there’s a wonderful accompanying exhibition that you might want to make time to visit.
We also caught up with the voice of Sussex, Sarah Gorrell of BBC Radio Sussex, whose familiar voice has been drifting across our airwaves and warming our hearts for more than two decades. We discovered what makes her tick, what sparks her curiosity and why, beneath that warm and familiar voice, there might just be a little bit of a rebel!
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For the Sussex foodies
Here at Sussex Exclusive, like you, we love nothing better than great food and drink, and for this edition, we’ve been out hunting down some fabulous local producers. From Christmas kraut (perfect for your festive cheeseboard) to homegrown Sussex tea, healthy brews and 1066-inspired local wines, there’s plenty of delicious Sussex produce to get stuck into.
We’ve also got three hot, toe-warming and tongue-tingling Sussex recipes to see you through those cold winter nights. Tuck into traditional Sussex Smokies, a delicious mushroom and spinach Wellington, and an easy-peasy Sussex apple Biscoff cheesecake. What’s not to love?
And finally, if you enjoy a good pub at the end of a hearty walk (and who doesn’t?), don’t miss our new Table Talk feature. We’ve been out and about visiting four Sussex pubs over the last few months, sharing what we discovered, what we enjoyed and what makes each one worth a visit.
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Homes & gardens
Winter is often the time when we turn our attention to our homes and gardens, reflecting on what we’d like to change and perhaps planning a revamp, a restyle, a renovation or even a move as the new year approaches. With that in mind, we’ve got some advice on staging your home to sell, along with plenty of kitchen inspiration if you’re thinking about replacing your worktops. And don’t forget the garden! We’ve discovered two gorgeous Sussex gardens that are packed with colour and interest throughout the winter months and are well worth a visit if you’re looking for a little inspiration of your own.
And, of course, we’ve got our ever-essential shopping list of Best Winter Buys, with ideas for him, for her and those all-important finishing touches for your home, from beautiful candles to atmospheric lighting. Just the thing to make the darker months feel a little more inviting.
Health and wellbeing
Health and wellbeing often take a back seat in the frenzy of the run-up to Christmas, only to come firmly back into focus as January arrives. So, if you’re thinking about making a few positive changes in the new year, look out for our interview with the founders of Horsham-based Elevate Fitness, who share their insights and inspiration. And why not prescribe yourself a dose of our unique Sussex Prescription, with six ways to winter well, culminating in our No Spend Sussex Weekender Challenge?
And if all that activity doesn’t quite do the trick, there’s always the option of curling up in a cosy corner with a good book from our recommended reading list, or cooking up a storm with a delicious recipe from our featured author. After all, looking after yourself doesn’t always have to mean working up a sweat!
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Life, work and everything in between
Whether you’re running a business, embarking on a new venture or simply looking to make some fresh connections, we’ve got plenty of food for thought. Discover our expert advice on making the most of business networking, along with some practical guidance on what to do if you find yourself facing a tax investigation. And if you’re planning an event, conference or networking get-together, we’ve discovered a stunning Sussex venue that might just be the perfect setting.
Travel and great escapes
Our travel feature is back, and this time it’s bursting with all the flavours, aromas and rich notes of a really good French Cognac! Sussex Exclusive recently headed across the Channel to the beautiful Charente region of France to explore everything that makes this little corner of the country so special. From the grand Cognac houses and smaller, independent producers to rolling vineyards, quirky hotels and fabulous places to eat and stay, we’ve been discovering the history, traditions and irresistible French charm behind one of the world’s most celebrated spirits. And we’ve put together plenty of ideas and inspiration to help you plan your own visit.
Your invitation to discover Sussex
So, if all that sounds interesting, intriguing, delicious and mouth-wateringly good (which we hope it does!), simply click the link below, download your copy, pull up a chair, pour yourself your favourite Sussex tipple and dive in. We hope you enjoy this winter edition of Sussex Exclusive as much as we’ve enjoyed putting it together for you.
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