An easy to moderate stroll taking in the chalk downland of Seaford Head local nature reserve, with stunning views of the Seven Sisters, then following the river meanders of the Cuckmere valley as it snakes down to the sea at Cuckmere Haven, and returning via Chyngton Farm.
This walk takes in one of the most stunning sections of the South Downs Way long-distance trail. Spring and summer bring an abundance of wild flowers into bloom; the richness of the plant life is thanks to the chalk soil which forms a unique grassland habitat. With great bus links from Brighton, why not make this a green day out and leave your car at home?
In 1985, when they were 78 and 76 years old respectively, Joanna and Hilary Bourne bought the former school in the village of Ditchling and opened the first museum – Ditchling Museum. The sisters had spent their childhood in the village and attended the school, where they mixed with the children of many of the artists who would eventually be included in the museum’s collection.
Botanical garden with the world’s largest seed conservation project Open throughout the year, Wakehurst is the country estate of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. The varied landscape is of international significance for its beautiful botanic gardens and tree collections, as well as for its science-based plant conservation and research.
St John the Baptist, Clayton, West Sussex is a “little gem”. Nestling below the South Downs it contains significant medieval frescoes covering most of walls. It is well worth a visit and usually open daily.
Magnificent country house and park with an internationally important art collection The vast late 17th-century mansion is set in a beautiful 283-hectare (700-acre) deer park, landscaped by ‘Capability’ Brown and immortalised in Turner’s paintings. Inside, the house contains the National Trust’s finest collection of pictures, with numerous works by Turner, Van Dyck, Reynolds and Blake, ancient and Neo-classical sculpture, fine furniture and carvings by Grinling Gibbons.
Come and explore this first century home and archaeological site and marvel at the largest collection of early mosaic floors in Britain. Discovered in 1960, the north wing of this remarkable building is an important attraction for anyone interested in learning about Roman life, art and architecture.
Medieval thatched Wealden hall-house and picturesque garden. This rare 14th-century Wealden hall-house was the first building to be acquired by the National Trust, in 1896. The thatched, timber-framed house is in an idyllic setting, with views across the River Cuckmere, and surrounded by a delightful, tranquil cottage garden full of wildlife.
Climb to the top of this 1000 year old Norman Castle for stunning panoramic views across Sussex. The adjoining Barbican House is home to the fascinating Museum of Sussex Archaeology and a mini-cinema which tells the story of Lewes from prehistoric to medieval times.
The earliest reference to a windmill on the present site is from September 1765 when an indenture was made between Viscount Montague and Edward Oram of Clayton. It read: – ‘Lease all that part of ground near to Duncton Gate on which a windmill has been lately erected by the son of the said Viscount and contained in the whole by five rods every way for a term of 99 years.’