Summary
The charming and affluent town of Lewes is nestled within a gap in the South Downs in East Sussex.
Lewes’ medieval thoroughfares are elegantly contrasted by the surrounding verdant hillsides. While exploring the town, one may encounter independent galleries, artist studios, and an array of boutiques that are unique to this locale.
Despite its modest dimensions, Lewes boasts a rich cultural heritage.
The Bloomsbury Group established roots near Lewes at Charleston, the residence of Vanessa Bell and Duncan Grant, while Virginia Woolf composed several works at her summer retreat, Monk’s Cottage.
Additionally, Glyndebourne, the world-renowned opera hall, is conveniently located just a short drive away.
Let us delve into the top attractions in Lewes:
1. Charleston
The artist duo Vanessa Bell and Duncan Grant chose this expansive farmhouse in the village of Firle as their country residence in 1916. Over the subsequent five decades, the house served as a gathering place for the Bloomsbury Group, a collective of innovative artists, writers, and intellectuals that included Virginia Woolf and T. S. Eliot.
Both Bell and Grant were prominent English painters in the early to mid-20th century, and Charleston is renowned for the distinctive decorations they created for its walls, furnishings, and fixtures.
The interiors, including bedrooms, kitchen, dining room, and studio have been preserved, adorned with decorative art sourced from the Bloomsbury Group’s Omega Workshops.
Moreover, the estate features an impressive collection of artworks, including pieces by Delacroix, Picasso, Renoir, and Derain.
The gallery at Charleston regularly showcases temporary exhibitions featuring esteemed contemporary artists, and the walled garden has been rejuvenated following its post-World War II neglect.
2. Lewes Castle
A Norman motte-and-bailey fortress, Lewes Castle was erected within three years following the Battle of Hastings (1066), and for much of the Medieval period, it was governed by the Earls of Surrey, descendants of the nobleman William de Warenne, who participated in the battle.
The castle underwent fortification throughout this era, though the steep mound remains a characteristic of Norman architecture.
Constructed from chalk blocks, this structure presents a challenging ascent even today.
However, the effort is rewarded with stunning vistas of Lewes, the South Downs, and the shining chalk cliffs at Cliffe Hill.
At the base of the mound lies the barbican, which can also be ascended and is regarded as one of the finest examples of its type still existing in England.
3. Cliffe High Street
You may find it challenging to discover a more appealing high street in England than this idyllic corridor extending east to west through the heart of Lewes.
Cliffe High Street gently slopes, featuring a pedestrianised segment at the summit with narrow lanes and passages diverging to the sides.
On this upper stretch, the views of the South Downs are breathtaking, complemented by a farmers’ market hosted on the first and third Saturdays of each month.
The street is bordered by period architecture, showcasing flat-fronted Georgian townhouses and numerous slate-clad structures adorned with gables and dormers.
On a sunny morning, one could enjoy a cup of coffee on one of the terraces, observing the sun rise over the downs to the east.
4. Glyndebourne
The landowner John Christie was a connoisseur of music and, upon relocating to the late-Medieval residence at Glyndebourne, began hosting opera evenings in the inter-war period.
This initiative ultimately led to the construction of a theatre on the premises, which was modernized in 1992 into a performance venue accommodating 1,200 attendees. The Glyndebourne Festival gained recognition in the aftermath of the Second World War and is now internationally celebrated.
A total of six productions unfold each season, with each performance distinguished not only by its exceptional quality but also by an 80-minute intermission.
This interlude is intentionally extended to allow patrons to enjoy a picnic on Glyndebourne’s splendid lawns.
Ticket-holders are invited to arrive early for a tour of the magnificent gardens, which feature the Stalls Gallery, where a new art exhibition is presented every summer.
5. South Downs
Lewes is situated in a breathtaking gap within the South Downs, a range of chalk hills that extends from Winchester to Eastbourne in southeast England.
This region was designated as the UK’s newest national park in 2011 and is traversed by a National Trail.
The trail runs near Lewes, and one can walk a segment to the quaint village of Southease, which is located downriver on the Ouse, while crossing the scenic Blackcap Hill en route.
The notable Mount Caburn, standing at 146 meters, is located just a mile from Lewes and was crowned by an Iron Age hillfort over 2,500 years ago.
From its summit, visitors can enjoy a magnificent panoramic view of Lewes, while the hill’s grassland is cherished for its wildflowers, showcasing the largest collection of burnt-tip orchids in a singular location.
6. Lewes Priory
Located in a park at the northern end of the Ouse Valley in southern Lewes, one can explore the Grade I-listed ruins of the Priory of St Pancras.
This was a Cluniac priory, the first Cluniac establishment in England, founded around 1081. Most structures visible today date from that period and the subsequent century.
It is important to note that this site has experienced significant quarrying since the priory was dissolved in 1537 during Henry VIII’s Dissolution of the Monasteries.
The church was among the largest monastic churches in the country, with remnants of its southwest tower and wall arcading still discernible.
Other remnants include the precinct wall, two dorters (dormitories), and the hospitium (hospice).
7. Southover Grange
This captivating Elizabethan residence is located mere moments from Lewes Station.
Established in the 1570s, Southover Grange was constructed using ashlar stone sourced from the disbanded Lewes Priory.
A private residence for centuries, Southover Grange received a visit from the Prince Regent in the 1790s during the Lewes Races.
Currently, the house serves as Lewes’ Register Office and is available for rental for weddings.
The splendid formal gardens, framed by this remarkable building, are open to the public and are celebrated for their vibrant flower beds, meticulously maintained lawns, boxwood hedges, roses, and mature trees.
Notably, the future Queen Elizabeth II planted a tree here in 1951, while the historic mulberry tree is particularly striking.
The house is not generally open to visitors, but a tea room offers refreshments with traditional china tableware.
8. Monk’s House
Located in the village of Rodmell, approximately three miles south of Lewes, this 17th-century weatherboard cottage was the country retreat of Virginia Woolf and her husband, Leonard.
Acquired by the couple in 1919, Monk’s House became a gathering place for prominent figures from the Bloomsbury Group, including E. M. Forster, T. S. Eliot, Lytton Strachey, and Roger Fry.
Since 1980, Monk’s House has been maintained by the National Trust, and a highlight for admirers of Woolf’s literature is the weatherboard writing lodge at the end of the garden, where she penned several significant works, including Jacob’s Room, Mrs Dalloway, To the Lighthouse, and Orlando, among others.
After her passing, Leonard Woolf buried her ashes beneath an elm tree within the garden.
Virginia herself painted the interior walls in tones of green, pomegranate, blue, and yellow.
A uniquely curated collection of photographs chronicling the experiences at the cottage, known as the Monk’s House Album, has recently been made available online.
9. Barbican House Museum
Access to this museum is included in the same ticket as Lewes Castle and is situated at the Barbican House entrance to the site.
Officially known as the Museum of Sussex Archaeology, this attraction features a diverse array of artefacts spanning from the Stone Age to the Medieval period.
Among the exhibits are flint tools, pottery fragments, jewelry, and weaponry, alongside a mini-cinema that screens a well-crafted film detailing Lewes’ historical progression.
During school holidays, family workshops on archaeology are regularly hosted, and the ground floor features a well-stocked bookshop specializing in archaeology.
10. Anne of Cleves House
The Sussex Archaeological Society also manages a museum situated within a timber-framed Wealden hall house, formerly owned by Henry VIII’s fourth wife, Anne of Cleves.
This house, constructed in the 1400s, was included in her annulment settlement, although the Queen did not reside here.
Nevertheless, the building exemplifies remarkable vernacular Medieval architecture, and the museum within is equally engaging.
The galleries focus on historical Sussex trades, including the iron-making industry, highlighted by a hammer from the forge in Etchingham.
The interior of the house, featuring a kitchen and bedroom representing Anne’s Tudor era, and the garden are landscaped with species and planting schemes typical of the 16th century.
11. Railway Land Nature Reserve
Just off Cliffe High Street and behind Lewes Railway Station, one will unexpectedly encounter a serene expanse of nature.
This is the Railway Land Nature Reserve, maintained by a charitable trust and situated on the site of a former railway marshalling yard.
What was once a convoluted array of railway sidings now accommodates four distinct types of aquatic environments.
These comprise floodplain grassland adorned with wildflowers in summer, ponds teeming with fish and newts, reed beds frequented by reed warblers in summer, and wet woodlands.
The latter area exists on the grounds of a lost Victorian estate, retaining some exotic species from its park, including swamp cypress and holm oak.
12. Bentley Wildfowl & Motor Museum
This excursion caters to various family interests by combining classic automobiles with an extensive wildfowl collection nestled in exquisite formal gardens.
The motor museum spans a century of road transport, showcasing captivating exhibits, including a Chevrolet Corvette (C3), a BMW 315-1 Sports Roadster, a Frazer Nash Mille Miglia, and an authentic Delorean.
The avian collection consists of 1,000 birds from 130 species worldwide, featuring stunning specimens such as the Spectacled Eider Duck, Wandering Whistling Duck, and Indian Runner.
Children can embark on a miniature railway adventure, while the South Downs Pantry offers a range of meals and afternoon snacks.
Additionally, there is a craft barn leased to local artists and artisans, providing a selection of paintings, sculptures, wooden toys, accessories, homewares, and vintage furniture.
13. Needlemakers
This historic facility initially manufactured candles before shifting production to hypodermic needles during the First World War.
Today, the brick structure located on West Street in the town center has been transformed into unique shops and craft studios.
Visitors will find a range of businesses including a seamstress, hair salon, design store, bookstore, quirky gift and card shop, craft goldsmith, and vintage furniture dealers.
During your visit, consider a stop at the Back Yard Cafe, which features original brick flooring and a beamed ceiling, offering quiches, tarts, soups, and homemade cakes.
14. Raystede Centre for Animal Welfare
Established as an animal charity in 1952 by M. Raymonde Hawkins, the Raystede Centre for Animal Welfare serves as a sanctuary for a myriad of animal species.
The majority of the animals at the center have been rescued or relinquished by homes and zoos.
Visitors can observe tortoises, ponies, alpacas, horses, donkeys, goats, rabbits, parakeets, and a diverse range of other exotic birds.
The center is located in picturesque countryside by a series of ponds and features an adventure playground for young visitors.
Before concluding your visit, check out the charity shop and enjoy a meal at the cafe, which offers delicious vegan and vegetarian selections.
15. Harvey’s Brewery
Founded in 1790, Harvey’s Brewery produces traditional English cask ales available throughout the South East of England.
Visitors can take a tour of this historic facility, the oldest independent brewery in Sussex, for a more in-depth experience compared to other breweries.
This brewery tour occurs outside of regular working hours and delves into the details to the extent that guests may converse with master brewers for up to three hours, learning about malted barley and the brewing process.
Currently, the business is in its eighth generation within the same family and also functions as a wine merchant, importing bottles from around the globe.
Stop by the brewery shop on Cliffe High Street for Harvey’s selection of ales and wines, along with some rare spirits.
