Sussex Exclusive Magazine Issue 6 2023
In this edition, we are celebrating all things Christmas and New Year, Sussex wine and gin, and lots more. We have some great Sussex Christmas traditions (old and new) for you, a Brighton Christmas getaway, lots of Christmas gift ideas, and even more Christmas recipes, bakes, and treats. Of course, it's not all about Christmas and we also have the perfect (8) antidotes to help beat the January blues. And not a diet in sight! For the travellers and wanderlusters amongst you, we have a fabulous three-day road trip that follows in the footsteps of the Medieval pilgrims, has amazing views, and takes in castles, vineyards, and historic towns. Alternatively, you might want to hop across the channel and discover the Pays de Calais or throw caution to the wind with a luxury cruise around Iceland! Sussex is a great foodie destination with some amazing Sussex producers and foodie experiences. So grab a fork and tuck into mouthwatering recipes and some great foodie experiences. And discover more of our Sussex vineyards and spirit producers as we explore the history of the Sussex drink industry and taste a few favourites. You can always burn off any excesses with one of our warming winter walks. If that’s not enough, take our Sussex quiz, read our health advice and gardening tips, and check out our selection of things to do! And the really good news is that it's all completely free!
In this edition, we are celebrating all things Christmas and New Year, Sussex wine and gin, and lots more. We have some great Sussex Christmas traditions (old and new) for you, a Brighton Christmas getaway, lots of Christmas gift ideas, and even more Christmas recipes, bakes, and treats. Of course, it's not all about Christmas and we also have the perfect (8) antidotes to help beat the January blues. And not a diet in sight!
For the travellers and wanderlusters amongst you, we have a fabulous three-day road trip that follows in the footsteps of the Medieval pilgrims, has amazing views, and takes in castles, vineyards, and historic towns. Alternatively, you might want to hop across the channel and discover the Pays de Calais or throw caution to the wind with a luxury cruise around Iceland!
Sussex is a great foodie destination with some amazing Sussex producers and foodie experiences. So grab a fork and tuck into mouthwatering recipes and some great foodie experiences. And discover more of our Sussex vineyards and spirit producers as we explore the history of the Sussex drink industry and taste a few favourites. You can always burn off any excesses with one of our warming winter walks.
If that’s not enough, take our Sussex quiz, read our health advice and gardening tips, and check out our selection of things to do!
And the really good news is that it's all completely free!
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Beachy Head<br />
Birling Gap<br />
the National Trust café. You won’t want to turn<br />
your wheels away from this road with its undulating<br />
curves and fabulous sea views but eventually you<br />
must head back north to the A259 and then the<br />
A2770 to eventually rejoin the A27 at Polegate.<br />
The final stretch<br />
Alfriston<br />
• Charleston House - modernist home and studio<br />
of the painters Vanessa Bell and Duncan Grant,<br />
now a museum.<br />
For more ideas: Things to do in Lewes<br />
Cuckmere Haven<br />
Once past Polegate and Eastbourne, there’s a nice<br />
straight stretch of road to Pevensey. You can then<br />
follow the A259 towards Hooe if you wish but<br />
a nicer road cuts across the Pevensey Levels to<br />
Herstmonceux Castle and the Observatory. The<br />
Levels have their own unique atmosphere and feel<br />
wild and untamed even in summer.<br />
Finally, you’re heading to Battle via the A271,<br />
perhaps with one last stop at the Ashburnham Place<br />
tearoom in the orangery and a quick stop to look<br />
back at the incredible views behind you!<br />
Your route<br />
From Lewes, take the A27 east. Here you get a real<br />
sense of the approaching Ouse Valley to your right,<br />
and of the South Downs to your left. Turn right at<br />
Drusilla’s Zoo towards Alfriston.<br />
Alfriston is hopelessly pretty with its Smugglers Inn,<br />
old buildings and village square. The Star Inn dates<br />
back to the 14th century and used to accommodate<br />
monks on a pilgrimage from Battle to Chichester, so<br />
it feels right that as you’re retracing their steps if you<br />
stop here for lunch.<br />
From Alfriston, carry on south and detour to<br />
Rathfinny vineyard off to your right to stock up with<br />
more <strong>Sussex</strong> wine. Once you’re back on the road, you<br />
enjoy glorious views of the sea and Cuckmere Haven<br />
below before you finally rejoin the A259.<br />
Herstmonceux<br />
Battle<br />
Last stop Battle<br />
Battle is of course home to Battle Abbey and the<br />
battlefield of 1066. There’s plenty to see and do in<br />
Battle, with a museum, market and nearby vineyard<br />
at Mountfield. And from Battle, well the decision<br />
is yours … do you carry on driving to Rye, or do<br />
you turn around and pilgrimage your way back to<br />
Chichester again!<br />
For more ideas: Things to do in Battle<br />
Places to stay in Battle<br />
Powdermills Country House Hotel: is about a<br />
mile from Battle centre and is a Grade II listed<br />
18th-century country house hotel with pet-friendly<br />
accommodation. Rooms start from £128.<br />
Follow this iconic stretch of road east past Exceat.<br />
At East Dean, you turn right to follow the coastal<br />
road via Birling Gap and on to Beachy Head. Each<br />
one of these places is worth a stop for a leg stretch<br />
and you can get coffee and cake at Birling Gap in<br />
Claverton Country House Hotel: combines<br />
Edwardian character with modern design. It has<br />
free onsite parking and is set in secluded landscaped<br />
gardens 3 miles from Battle Abbey. Rooms start<br />
from £90.<br />
20 | sussexexclusive.com 21
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