recomendations for a week-end away near Brighton but not in it

[Mercedes]

We've got the chance to go away for the week-end without our dd. As we don't have a car we're looking for somewhere as i said that you can get to from Brighton. I'm happy to go by train and get a taxi if need be but i don't know the area. i've looked at the train map but its all a mystery to me

Ideally nice hotel, good food, tv and dvd in room and perhaps easy walk nearby or close to the sea. Perfect lazing around place with alcohol.

no suggestions at all?

Is there nowhere nice near Brighton?

Brighton is great and has all the things you mention... why don't you want to stay in Brighton itself?

I would head west - I haven't stayed at The Goodwood Park Hotel but I have been to the Goodwood Sculpture Park, which I think is part of the same estate and which is fantastic. I thought the hotel looked nice. Not sea-based though.

lewes? 10 or so mins in car or on train into brighton
pelham hotel supposed to be nice, but not actually been there myself

OK, another one I haven't stayed at, but I stayed many years ago in the village of Alfriston which is so, so pretty, and it's a lovely walk down the river to Cuckmere Haven. This is a shingly beach, but it's beautiful, and the river is used in loads of geography textbooks as an example of a classic 'meander' - does this appeal?

Deans Place Hotel

TBH the seaside hotels along the coast outside Brighton aren't great, they tend towards windswept B&Bs.

The Eastborne Grand is nice, but I'd agree with Bernard - why not stay in Brighton itself?

Or do you want something smaller/more villagey/more countrifed?

Ditchling is a village near Brighton, very pretty, has a nice pub/B&B called The Bull. Great walks nearby up Ditchling Beacon. Not much else to do. You'd get a taxi from Brighton (or Hassocks is a nearer station)

Lewes is a very pretty county town, very historic, museum, castle etc. Lots of downland walks. There are several hotels there - Shelleys or The Pelham are probably the best.

Or you could go into deep countryside, somewhere like Newick Park which is v luxurious, but totally isolated.

However Brighton is great and you can easily get out along the coast by bus so I'd stick there - there's a lot more to do and the restaurants are better.

Ooh I've always wanted to stay in The Bull, it looks lovely from the outside.

Lewes is a fantastic place.

My dd will be looked after in Brighton so I don't really want to be there. I really want a child free week-end.

Plus I go to Brighton quite often to see friends so I wouldn't see it as a treat - and I don't really like it.

Lewes is a fantastic place but it's perhaps not the best place for a weekend, because most of the shops, restaurants and museums shut on a Sunday. (I say museums - that's a bit of an exaggeration! There is the Castle museum and Anne Boleyn's House, that's it.)

I woudl personally stay in Brighton and catch the train to Lewes for a day on Saturday, it's only a 15 minute direct train ride.

BTW Eastborne in my last post was a typo, should have been Eastbourne. The Grand is kind of amazing (it's a complete period piece - I think they filmed an episode of Poirot there once) but there's not a lot else in Eastbourne apart from the beach and walks towards Beachy Head - sorry, hope that doesn't offend any Eastbourne mners!

There's always the A259 out of Eastbourne...

Agree Lewes can be a bit dead on Sundays, but the walking is good, if you like that sort of thing. Quite hilly but great views. Also, bloody marvellous pubs all over the place, and Bill's on Cliffe High Street for the most marvellous slap-up brunch.

oo I love Bills! (Also closed on Sundays - grrr!)

Are you a Sussexer PW?

I used to be, and am very nostalgic about it. Used to work in Lewes (at offices above the Needlemakers) and live in Brighton - left a couple of years ago. Are you?

I know I'm being fussy but we visit Lewes quite often to see friends as well and I like it better than Brighton - sorry to all the Brighton lovers. I just fancy somewhere new and different.

I don't know where that's the problem. Last down I was in Brighton I realised that could get trains all over the place and wondered if there was nice hotels to stay in.

The Goodwood Park is a possibility. I'll google newark park to see what that's like.

bill's closed on sundays?

hastings old town beautiful old town, near beach, good fish, eats, shops, pubs

rye quaint old town, not much to do Sunday, couple restaurants, antiques

alfriston quiet country village, good for walks

isn't there supposed to be some amazing b&b in rye?

bundle-the George in Rye,looks lovely.
Bit of a trek from Brighton and no direct rail link.

oh and camber sands - brilliant if you like the beach and you get lucky with the weather, otherwise bugger all else to do but this hotel has a good rep

actually there is a brighton ashford train, it's very short but it gets you to Rye!

I mean short in length, not in time unfortunately...

I've just looked at Newick Park - it looks fab. Just my sort of palce. My dp likes gadgets I wonder if he'd fancy driving a tank

sorry, went to bed!

Bundle - Bills in Lewes is closed on Sundays, Bills in Brighton opens Sundays. At least this was the case last time I checked (about a month ago). Could have changed!

PW - yes, same here, ex-Lewesian.

Newick Park is really lush, not cheap but perfect for a child-free get-away. It's hard to get to without a car though - I think a taxi from Brighton would be at least £30.

What about Ockenden Manor in Cuckfield. Can get train to Haywards Heath then a taxi ride is less than 10 mins. Quite old fashioned country house hotel in nice village with Michelin Star restaurant. Or get train to Gatwick and then go to Alexander House in Turners Hill, has great spa.