Location: Lewes
Top Things to do in Lewes
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What to do and see in Lewes, England: The Best Things to do
Lewes /ˈluːɪs/ is the county town of East Sussex and formerly all of Sussex. It is a civil parish and is the centre of the Lewes local government district. Its population is now around 17 thousand. The settlement is a traditional market town and centre of communications and in 1264, it was the site of the Battle of Lewes. The town's landmarks including Lewes Castle and a 15th-century bookshop. Other notable features of the area include the Glyndebourne festival, the Lewes Bonfire and the Lewes Pound.
Restaurants in Lewes
1. Glyndebourne
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 421 reviews
Backstage tours are available from November to March. The summer Festival runs from May to August. The autumn Tour runs through October before taking the productions to venues across the UK.
Reviewed By 15traveladdict9 - Horsham, United Kingdom
What an amazing experience. The tour was both informative and unbelievably interesting. We learnt about the history of the theatre. We visited the stage, behind the stage, rehearsal areas, the new prop assembly area, the green room and the auditorium. At the end you had a very clear idea of the effort and hard work put in to deliver a performance. A truly enjoyable morning out.
2. Lewes Castle & Barbican House Museum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 539 reviews
Lewes Castle is open year round, and has a wonderful view from the top of the Keep. Next door is the Barbican House Museum with displays of the history of Sussex.
Reviewed By Bruggeling77 - Bruges, Belgium
This place was well worth the visit. I can recommend if you like history. For £8,5 you get awarded with the best views once you reach the top of the castle.
3. Monk's House - National Trust
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 205 reviews
The home of Leonard and Virginia Woolf featuring the writing room where she created some of her best known works. A small 17th century weatherboarded cottage and large garden, Monk's House was a gathering place for many Bloomsbury Group members. Set in the beautiful South Downs , it was more importantly, a retreat for Virginia Woolf who loved nothing more than striding out across the Downs.
Reviewed By vivendumuk - Brighton, United Kingdom
Monks house is a wonderful place to visit. The staff are friendly and knowledgable. The gardens are magnificent. The history of the house and it's famous owners and visitors is amazing. Top place to visit in Sussex
4. Cliffe High Street
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 109 reviews
Reviewed By NatFigs - Mexico City, Mexico
This is a small but also a very cute and nice street. If you walk around the river a bit more, there’s this beautiful park that I loved going to. No matter what day, month or hour it is, this place always has life and it’s beautiful.
5. Charleston
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 452 reviews
Charleston is temporarily closed until further notice in line with official government advice to support efforts to contain the spread of COVID-19 (coronavirus). Charleston is a House, Garden and art gallery located in the South Downs National Park. Charleston also has a restaurant, The Threshing Barn, located in a newly restored 18th century barn. OPENING TIMES The Galleries, Garden and Threshing Barn Weds-Sunday 10am-5pm. House 1 March - 31 October Weds-Sunday 11:30am-5pm Sunday & BH 12-5pm 1 November - 28 February Weds-Sunday 11:30am-3pm. Charleston was the home and country meeting place of the writers, painters and intellectuals known as the Bloomsbury group. The interior was painted by the artists Duncan Grant and Vanessa Bell, and together with their collection forms a unique example of their decorative style.
Reviewed By outandaboutwithbob - Ringwood, United Kingdom
Always wanted to visit this stunning place and was one of the items on my bucket list , You will not be dissapointed if like me you are a follower of hidden arts , Do allow yourself plenty of time to relax and take into account the beautiful wall gardens during your visit , the tour of the house is with a guide who given their vast knowledge of the house and its occupants gives you and insite as to the way they lived durring this period of history (Blomsbury era )( quote of the day They Lived in Squares, painted in Circles , and Loved in Triangles ,) Questions were asked and the appropriate answers given although when you are first given a brief history it is said treat the place as if they have just step out so please do not touch the fragile items , yes you can see this in a lot of the rooms untill you get to the finale room the famous studio with its lovely light filled area and artist easels the only thing missing was the large amout of paint splashes on the floor , but that was only my observation , well done and will visit again soon Possibly not suitable for young children
6. Southover Grange Gardens
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 252 reviews
Reviewed By Tigerfeet9 - Seaford, United Kingdom
Southover Grange gardens are peaceful and busy at the same time. It can be full of children playing, picnicking families and newly married couples enjoying the sunshine for photographs and sharing with friends there is a hole in the wall for tea and coffee in the summer
7. Pells Pool
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 71 reviews
For 2021, we re-opened on Saturday 8 May. You have to pre-book tickets in advance via our website. There is no admission on the door to any session. The Pells Pool is the oldest documented freshwater public pool in the UK. We celebrated our 150th anniversary in 2011 and continue to welcome thousands to our unique pool in the summer months each year. The Pells Pool is a spring-fed pool - 46 metres long by 23 metres wide pool. There are facilities for the whole family to enjoy, from our tree-lined green lawn, sun terrace and exercise lane, to our children's paddling pool. Come and enjoy a picnic on the tree-lined lawn. We also serve hot and cold drinks, ice creams and a selection of cakes.
Reviewed By badger53 - Penrith, United Kingdom
Well over 100 years old now but still going strong and obviously well regarded by local residents. Visited with my family including small children on a beautiful , warm day and it was great to see everyone, young and old alike , enjoying this gem in Lewes. Well priced and staffed. Worth a visit.
8. Lewes Bonfire Night Celebrations
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 11 reviews
Lewes Bonfire Night is the biggest 5th of November celebrations in the world - totally transforming the usually peaceful town of Lewes. There are more than 30 processions through the narrow streets starting at around 5pm and going all night. Each procession has their own traditions, costumes, bonfire, fireworks and fire displays. The friendly rivalry between the processions keeps the night interesting as they spend the whole year preparing in advance.
Reviewed By AlisonHughes - London, United Kingdom
We have been going to bonfire night in Lewes for the past 7 years, it feels like a mini festival over one night. The celebrations start on the 4th & we really enjoy walking around the pubs in the evening, everyone is very friendly & helpful. You need to get there early if you are arriving on 5th as the trains are packed & they usually stop at 5pm. On the night the parades, fireworks, bonfires & the whole town coming together is great fun. Depending on where you stand you can see a lot of different processions & boy do they have great stamina as they are still marching at midnight when you can go to their bonfire prayers. We went to the Commercial Bonfire & the fireworks were amazing, we loved them & have gone to this bonfire for the last 3 years. Find out where the individual bonfire societies have their midnight prayers as the bangers etc are great. Then as if by magic you see the next morning that the whole place is cleaned overnight as if nothing happened. Everyone should visit Lewes on 5th of November just once to experience this amazing event.
9. Anne of Cleves House
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 383 reviews
Reviewed By 181PeterL181 - Malua Bay, Australia
The outside gives some idea of what lays within. This wooden structure was gifted to Anne by King Henry as a divorce settlement in 1541. Inside, the ceilings show how the design and building skills were so brilliant. All rooms are impeccably furnished and decorated. Stained glass window panes of showing the history of various Kings are spectacular. Outside, iron forging works from the local are displayed. Allow a few hours, visit Lewes Castle (built 1069 AD) and get discounted entry to this house. Then walk downhill 15-20 minutes (take a map!).
10. Middle Farm
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 401 reviews
Reviewed By adrianawalker0818 - Brighton, United Kingdom
Middle Farm is my absolute favorite place to visit on free weekend. Never disappointed with the food, service, and just lovely environment there. The have the best pastries and if you're a fan of beer/cider you're in for a treat! Don't forget to head into the shop and get the best farm raised eggs and meat. You haven't had a poached egg until you've done them with Middle Farm eggs, oh and the cheese scones are AMAZING! Stilton and Steak pasty is also killer. On a recent visit there was a pumpkin soup and pumpkin chai lattes that were both out of this world. Writing this reviews makes me keen to go again soon :)
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