EAST SUSSEX MUST SEE'S AND ITINERARY
APRIL 2021
After a long 4 months of being told to ‘stay at home’, it’s finally time that things open back up and for travel to become more accessible again. While international travel isn't back in full swing, I've taken this opportunity to make the most of local staycations within the UK. East Sussex sits on the south coast of England and is one of the South's hotspots for summer tourists. Rolling hills, stone beaches and bespoke shops around every corner, it's easy to see why East Sussex is such a popular destination for foreigners and locals alike.
My East Sussex itinerary is an ideal road trip itinerary or you can opt for public transport, depending on your overall budget for the trip. These stops are only within a few hours of each other and the rolling hills spotted with new born lambs make the drives so picturesque (really made spring feel like it was in the air). Spring and summer is the ideal time to visit, especially on the idyllic seaside towns like Brighton and Hastings, so as the warmer weather approaches - make sure to have your bag packed!
CURRENCY
Pounds £
DAILY BUDGET
It's no secret that England isn't the cheapest option for travel, so it's best to be a bit more generous when budgeting. By far the most expensive part of my trip was accommodation, and with the current English COVID regulations that meant paying for Airbnbs, as hostels still remain closed until further notice. The average range for a basic Airbnb was between £70 - £100 per night, so if you had a friend to split that costing with, that would be ideal.
The price range for food really depends on where you eat, and luckily in England you are spoilt for choice in every budget bracket. On the more expensive end of the scale you have pubs and restaurants which are typically £20 - £40 per meal. For midrange options you have 'on the go' type places like cafes, wok bars, Pret a Manger, and M&S food hall, these will cost between £7 - £15. Finally for the cheapest options you can opt to cook for yourself (groceries are wonderfully cheap in the UK), or choose for more of the fast food/takeaway options like Greggs, Subway, the local chippy (fish and chip shop) or any of the classic fast food chains. These options can be as cheap as £0.50.
Overall I would budget between £60 - £100 per day (excluding accommodation). This would cover your transport, meals, and activities, plus having a little left over for anything else.
TRANSPORT
This trip is an ideal road trip itinerary and is much easier to achieve by car, especially for Ouse Valley Viaduct and Arlington Bluebell Walk. All these spots can be reached by either train or bus if driving isn't an option, however you can expect spending a lot of time on public transport between destinations, so don't forget to factor that in when you're planning your trip.
Train travel is very straight forward and it's easiest to travel into London then down to Brighton and work your way along the coast from there. Trains are annoyingly expensive in the UK, so if you're not careful you can pay upwards of £40 - £60 for a journey. For people who plan to do a lot of train travel in the UK, it's best you invest in a railcard. I have a 16 - 25 (year old) railcard, which gives me up to a 1/3 off all train travel. For a year it costs £30, so pays for itself within the first few train journeys! You can buy one here.
WHERE TO STAY
As I mentioned above, hostels still weren't open in April 2021 in the UK, so it was Airbnbs for me. All the Airbnbs I stayed in were lovely and comfortable, and towards the lower end of pricing for these destinations. To cut costs you could travel with a friend/partner and split the price, which would make these Airbnb listings only £35 - £55 per person.
Click here for my Brighton Airbnb
Click here for my Hastings Airbnb
5 DESTINATIONS
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4 - 7 DAYS
OUSE VALLEY VIADUCT (STOP OFF)
Britain's most ornate viaduct is a picture perfect spot from every angle.
ARLINGTON BLUEBELL AND WOODLAND WALK (STOP OFF)
Step into a fantasy land with fields of bluebells surrounding you. Only open for 6 - 8 weeks, it's best to make the most of Arlington woodland walk while it's in bloom.
BRIGHTON (1 - 3 NIGHTS)
Urban, fun, and lively every hour of the day, Brighton is bursting with life and is the perfect city to visit in the warmer months.
HASTINGS (1 - 2 NIGHTS)
The idyllic seaside town of Hastings makes you want to sit by the beach with a fresh batch of thick cut chips (no matter the weather).
RYE (1 NIGHT)
Step back to medieval England in the quaint town of Rye. Made famous for its well preserved streets, you'll fall in love with this English haven.
OUSE VALLEY VIADUCT
Located just north of Haywards Heath, Ouse Valley Viaduct is England's most elegant viaduct. Built in 1842, the viaduct has an ornate brick design that has become famous over the last few years thanks to Instagram. To get here it's easiest to have a car, as there isn't any direct public transport. Alternatively if you are relying on public transport you can opt for a train to Haywards Heath then a taxi from there, which is only a 7 minute drive.
Arriving at midday on a Tuesday meant it was relatively quiet, and I imagine the weekends must be pretty packed with tourists wanting to snap the perfect pic. There were still a few people around even mid week, so bear that in mind when planning your visit - early morning is always the best to avoid crowds.
It's also important to note that the track leading up to the viaduct is very muddy in the colder months/just after rain, so make sure to pack some spare footwear if you get caught out in bad weather. Luckily I went when the track was dried out, however I've seen how muddy it can get!
ARLINGTON BLUEBELL AND WOODLAND WALK
This stop was a wonderful accident and wasn't on the original itinerary, however was a great addition to the trip. Arlington Bluebell and Woodland walk is a fairy wonderland that is a magical destination for the spring time. The walk allows you to wander through lush green woodland, while admiring the bunches of vibrant bluebells and anomalies popping through. The walk is only open for 6 - 8 weeks a year during the spring time, so it’s important to make the most of it while they are out.
Spring flowers were late out this year so there were no bluebells out for our visit, instead the fields were covered in beautiful white anomalies, which pop up before the bluebells. You can purchase tickets for £5 per person and the best time to visit is April and early May. The track we did was between 2 - 3 miles, however there are typically 3 different tracks you can follow (the other 2 were closed due to COVID).
Check out the Arlington Bluebell and Woodland Walk website here!
BRIGHTON
Known as one of the ‘urban centres’ of the South, Brighton is vibrant and fun every night of the week. You are spoilt for choice in terms of places to eat, chill and explore (don’t forget the endless bustling bars), and in my opinion is one of the best cities for 18 to 30 year olds - not to mention a haven for vegans/vegetarians. The city has a considerably young population, which makes it an ideal destination for a visit, especially if you're a solo traveller. Fun fact - I was actually meant to move to Brighton when I was 19, however couldn't afford the rent so never made the move (just a sign of how high in demand the area is)!
My Airbnb was one of my favourite parts of the trip, with a view of the most iconic part of the city - Brighton Pier. The Airbnb was shared with the host, however she was incredibly friendly and you have the whole balcony and upstairs lounge to yourself (as well as your own bedroom). For a night I paid £70, which was definitely worth it for the views you got!
THE LANES AND NORTH LAINE
The lanes is one of Brighton's bustling neighbourhoods, with a maze of quirky stores, specialty coffee shops and oddly shaped exteriors with mannequins, bunting and neon signs. The Lanes used to be a part of an old fishing town, however now is one of the most popular parts of the city for both locals and tourists. Whatever the time of day, there is always crowds of people wandering through the winding streets.
Here is where you can find the majority of bars, cafes and unique shops to explore. I would recommend trying Cafe Coho for a great brunch place.
BRIGHTON PAVILION
The Royal Pavilion or otherwise known as the Brighton Pavilion is a former royal palace located close to the waterfront of the city. The Pavilion now serves as a popular tourist destination and park for people to sit and relax. You can often find people picnicking with friends and it's a great spot for photos.
You can also enter the inside of the Pavilion for £20, if you want to do this it's best to book beforehand online to secure a spot (they also have limited space due to COVID regulations).
HAPPY MAKI
One of my all time favourite apps Happy Cow directed me to Happy Maki, which was only a 3 minute walk from my Airbnb. Happy Maki runs off a 'pay what you can' basis and is completely vegan. When you go in you can select from a few different sushi options, which they make fresh in front of you. At the end of the bar is a self service till where you can put in whatever price you feel is fit for your order. Each roll has a recommended price from £6 - £6.50 (they are big rolls), this price covers all Happy Maki's costings as a company including staff, ingredients and store rent, etc, however you're welcome to pay more or less.
COHO CAFE
Remember when I said I was meant to move to Brighton? Well, I actually was meant to work as a barista at Coho Cafe! I haven't been back since my trial, and it definitely did not disappoint. The brunch options all looked delicious, but of course I went for my staple avocado on toast (with added mushrooms).
Brighton does really spoil you in terms of cafes and brunch spots, so get lost in the lanes and see what you find.
HASTINGS
Hastings is one of England’s charming sea side towns that sits on the Channel. Made famous by the Battle of Hastings in 1066, the town is now an ideal summer destination in England's southeast coast. The train from Brighton to Hastings took a little over an hour and cost £9 one way (with the 16 - 25 railcard). In case you want to add another stop onto your trip you could get off halfway and spend some time in Eastbourne, which is another seaside town that sits between Brighton and Hastings.
I spent 2 nights in Hastings in a quaint self contained Airbnb. The space was small, with no kitchen and a small ensuite bathroom, but it was more than enough for time away. For 2 nights I paid £150, which was on the cheaper end of the Airbnb options in Hastings Old Town.
Hastings is split into the New Town and Old Town, which are separated by Hastings Castle in the middle. The walk from the train station in the New Town to the heart of the Old Town takes around 20 minutes and you can either walk along the beach front or directly over the West Hill (Hastings is surprisingly hilly).
You can see everything in the Old Town in a day, so 1 - 2 nights is more than enough to wander around and explore. You can find endless little shops and multicoloured houses which make the
Once you're in the Old Town you'll find all the charming shops and multicoloured houses, which
EAST AND WEST HILL'S
Hastings Old Town sits between two hills and the beach, so you can expect some hefty hill climbs during your stay. These hills make for the perfect spot to sit and admire the pretty town below - with the West Hill sitting closest to Hastings Castle and acts as a divider between the two sides of Hastings. I came here for sunrise and was not disappointed, even despite the cloudy morning.
You can find two funicular railways on both hills, however only the East Hill lift was operational during my stay. The railways start at the roadside and lead up the rock face to the top of the hill. The journey only takes around 1 minute in an old railway carriage, and you can get beautiful views over the shorefront and the Old Town. An adult ticket costs £4 return, or alternatively you can get a single one way ticket and walk the other way.
JUDGE'S BAKERY
One of my friends recommended that I try Judge's Bakery, as it was somewhere he used to visit as a child. The bakery was just down the road from my Airbnb on one of the main streets in the Old Town and definitely did not disappoint. There is a wide selection of baked goods, breads and pre made rolls/sandwiches to choose from, and a nice selection of vegan goodies too.
I have to recommend the vegan sausage roll as well as the vegan ploughman's sandwich, both were delicious and just what I was looking for! They also serve coffees which pairs perfectly with their food.
HASTINGS CASTLE
Of course you can't come to Hastings without visiting Hastings Castle. The Castle has had a long, dark history and now has only part of its remains for tourists to explore. The ticket price is £5 for adults or £4.50 for students and is definitely worth the visit. There are benches for you to sit along with sign posts with extra information such as how the castle looked before being destroyed and an in depth time line from its construction.
Since the Castle sits on top of a hill you can get some spectacular views over the Channel and both sides of Hastings (Old and New Towns). I visited during the midday on a Wednesday and it was super quiet which was ideal!
RYE
I think it's easy to say that Rye has become one of my favourite spots in the UK, and is a destination everyone needs to visit. As one of the most well preserved medieval towns in England, the whole area feels like you're stepping back in time. The winding cobbled streets with Tudor style houses is what has made Rye so famous over the years and although the town is small, there is a lot of life and character to be discovered.
To get to Rye you can either drive or get the train from Hastings, which only takes 20 minutes. The town can easily be seen within a day, so would be an ideal day trip, however I think spending a night is a great way to get to know Rye a little bit better. The Airbnb I stayed in was right in the centre of town above a cafe, and it included a balcony overlooking the harbour (and a roundabout, but we won't dwell on that).
Walking through the streets of Rye couldn't be more picture perfect. The oddly shaped houses and dated exteriors are all so unique and even during the day the streets seemed peacefully quiet. While the whole town is incredibly well preserved, Mermaid street (pictured above) is so unbelievably picturesque and is one of the most iconic spots to visit.
The Mermaid pub, which the street is named after, is a great spot for lunch or a place to have a drink, so if have time don't forget to stop off.
Rye is a destination that is best to just wander around and explore for yourself. There are only a few streets in the main part of the town so it's nearly impossible to get lost! While you're exploring you must visit Landgate Arch, Rye's only remaining arch that dates back to the 14th century.
HORSE & CART
For our night in Rye we stopped by the Horse and Cart for dinner, which is around a 10 minute drive outside of the town centre. The service was wonderful and it had a very welcoming pub feel, as well as the food being hearty and delicious. England is known for it's quaint pubs and the Horse & Cart really made our time at Rye feel like a true British night away.
KNOOPS
Knoops is a chain of takeaway cafes that focus on expertly made chocolate drinks, with locations throughout London and one in Rye. I went for my usual oat flat white, however we picked up some of their famous chocolate flakes to make hot chocolates at home (I can confirm they are delicious).
NEED A MAP OF WHERE I WENT?
HERE YOU GO!