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Anyone know Lewes/Plumpton area near Brighton?

26 replies

Splitsunrise · 20/07/2020 23:35

I’m going camping this coming weekend for a few days near Plumpton. Can anyone who knows the area recommend anything to do within reasonable distance of there? I have heard Lewes is nice. Will go into Brighton but I hear parking is awful - any advice?! Are buses running or park and ride?

Any recommendations for places to eat would be great too. Obviously will look into what’s open given Covid etc.

Thank you! Smile

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ihateyoutube · 20/07/2020 23:55

Lewes is lovely for a wander. Quirky independent antique shops and some nice cafes, plus you can walk around the castle. Southover Grange gardens are nice. Lewes is much smaller than Brighton and more artsy/countrified, a market town, whereas Brighton is more of a cosmopolitan city. There’s a good train line from Lewes to Brighton which would save you the hassle of parking.

Splitsunrise · 21/07/2020 00:55

Thank you! That’s really helpful Smile

Any idea of good walks around South Downs too? As in routes

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Splitsunrise · 21/07/2020 08:40

Anyone else?

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Splitsunrise · 21/07/2020 08:40

Restaurants/cafes too if they are open!

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Splitsunrise · 21/07/2020 21:03

Anyone!

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willnotbetamed · 21/07/2020 21:08

South Downs Way for walks! In Brighton Food for Friends and anywhere along Kensington Gardens; walking in the Lanes; going on the pier. Getting the Volts Electric Railway along the seafront. Brighton and Hove city museum is free. Charleston near Lewes is great if open, if you like arts and Bloomsbury Group stuff.

willnotbetamed · 21/07/2020 21:08

And the Brighton Pavilion of course!

ihateyoutube · 21/07/2020 21:13

I’m a bit out of date with places to eat (lived in Brighton for 10 yrs, got married in Lewes, used to know the area v well), but I’d say you can’t really go wrong with the main high st in Lewes. Think the original Bill’s is still there, there’s a decent little foodie cafe in the food market by the river, plus probably more organic vegan places than you could ever need! In Brighton, head for the north laines and just have a stroll, there are 100s of places all vying for your cash!

Splitsunrise · 21/07/2020 22:15

Thank you!

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Splitsunrise · 21/07/2020 22:15
Smile
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StCharlotte · 21/07/2020 22:16

Parking in Brighton is hideous. We park in Lewes Station.

Splitsunrise · 22/07/2020 09:44

@StCharlotte thanks, will look at doing that and getting the train

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Pianostrings · 22/07/2020 10:47

Seaford beach is gorgeous for a safe swim. Bill's in Lewes to eat. There is a lovely walk up to Firle Beacon but the Seven Sister's walk from Seaford towards Cuckmere haven is magical. Ashdown Forest is also very special.

Mitsouko67 · 22/07/2020 11:04

Hated Brighton.

Loved Lewes and surrounding area.

Depends whether you tend towards demure or fun loving!

Splitsunrise · 22/07/2020 12:02

Thanks @Pianostrings . Is there parking around Seaford Beach area? I will look up those walks!

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Splitsunrise · 22/07/2020 12:02

Where would I find details of those walks? I have a hopeless sense of direction!

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sleepychunky · 22/07/2020 12:16

There's not much in Plumpton itself, it's a small village but very pretty. But it does have a highly recommended pub - the Plough - so give that a try. There is a bus that goes to Barcombe, which is by the river and really nice - you can rent boats there (not sure if they are up and running again though). But you are smack bang in the middle of the South Downs and lots of signposted walks. Enjoy, the weather here is gorgeous at the moment and looks to stay good all weekend Smile

Treesandsky · 22/07/2020 12:18

What kind of eating places are you looking for?
Driving up to Ditchling Beacon car park and a nice walk along the South Downs Way from there, followed by meal at The Bull pub in Ditchling would be nice and close.
The Coach and Horses in Danehill is another nice pub that is not far away.
There are a good range of NT places near there like Sheffield Park and Wakehurst but you have to book in advance at the moment.
Beaches along the coast there are all stoney so bring beach type shoes if you have any.
Lots of lovely antique shops in Lewes.
If you go to Brighton, don't miss the North Laines for a true feel for Brighton.

Splitsunrise · 22/07/2020 12:35

@sleepychunky thank you I will look at those! Will see if the boats can be rented at the moment, thanks. Good to know the walks are easily signposted!

The weather forecast had looked a bit iffy for this weekend, at the moment mine says raining for quite a bit of Saturday! Really hoping that changes...

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Splitsunrise · 22/07/2020 12:37

@Treesandsky for eating places - nothing too fancy, a nice pub for dinner would be fine so will look up the ones you suggested!

Do you recommend any breakfast places?

Any other recommendations for beaches, even if weather isn't fantastic? Will be nice to walk along them anyway

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ThePittts · 22/07/2020 12:44

What about Glyndebourne, I understand you can book to go round the lovely grounds and have a picnic or afternoon tea, something a little different

Pianostrings · 22/07/2020 13:06

There's free parking at Seaford beach and lots of it. For the walk, it's a clifftop walk and there will be others doing it that you can basically follow. You literally go to the far end of the beach (the left end) and you can see where the path starts/ ascends. You can't get lost. It's hilly but stunning. If you ever get stuck with walks, there are lots of websites online which will tell you good local routes with lots of clear directions. That's what i do! They tell you the length of the walk and the difficulty.

Have fun. It's a lovely area. I grew up there.

Treesandsky · 22/07/2020 15:58

You could drive down to Lancing beach, it's bit further but has The Perch cafe which is nice for breakfast. Eastbourne beach had The Beach Deck cafe which is good for breakfast too but book.
If you are heading to Wakehurst Place you could make a stop in Lindfield at the Lindfield Coffee Works or if walking in Ditchling, The Green Welly is another nice cafe.
There are lots of good breakfast places in Brighton and Hove too.
Check though as some of these may have changed things at the moment.

MitziK · 22/07/2020 16:31

@Pianostrings

There's free parking at Seaford beach and lots of it. For the walk, it's a clifftop walk and there will be others doing it that you can basically follow. You literally go to the far end of the beach (the left end) and you can see where the path starts/ ascends. You can't get lost. It's hilly but stunning. If you ever get stuck with walks, there are lots of websites online which will tell you good local routes with lots of clear directions. That's what i do! They tell you the length of the walk and the difficulty.

Have fun. It's a lovely area. I grew up there.

..but stay WELL away from the edge.

The underlying chalk is more like a sponge than something solid and is full of rabbit holes and water erosion channels. If you stamp your foot on the grass, you'll feel and hear how hollow it is. Just don't do it near the edge.

If you want to sit down, watch out for Viper's Bugloss. It's a beautiful plant and amazing for wildlife, but in areas that are heavily grazed, it grows low and almost invisible until you sit on it.

Keep an eye out for the butterflies. Just a little way over from the actual main walk, you'll see the field full of blue and brown butterflies dancing at about knee level. They're the males and females of the Common Blue and it's the most amazing sight.

In fact, spend at least some of your time looking down. You'll see a massive amount of things that you won't notice if you're looking out to sea.

If it's safe, at the base of the rocks to a short distance up, it's not unusual to see fossils of bivalves, sponges, ferns and other creatures (bits of fish, for example) and find natural quartz and silica crystals amongst the flint. but follow whatever the safety instructions are, as depending on the stability of the area, it can be safer to stay well away from them and look around the rocks on the shore rather than further back.

Splitsunrise · 22/07/2020 18:01

@ThePittts thank you I will goggle

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