14 Activities
Queen and Castle: A Day Trip to Historic Lewes
Starts from
Brighton
Transportation
By Car
Guidance
Self-Guided
Activities
14
Duration
12 hrs 52 min
Length
21 mi
Guide details
Starts from
Brighton
Transportation
By Car
Guidance
Self-Guided
Duration
12 hrs 52 min
Length
21 mi
- History and Culture
- Gastronomy
Sam Murray
Travel Expert
- Admire Sussex from the ramparts of Lewes Castle.
- Get dressed up in royal garb at Anne of Cleves House.
- Dine on classic British pub grub in a 200-year-old public house.
Discover history and heritage at every turn in Lewes, a relatively small but beautiful town in the South Downs. This day-trip route starts with an energy-boosting stop at one of the top bakery-cafes in East Sussex, before you move onto an old candle factory filled with stylish boutiques.
You’ll then visit a Tudor house gifted to a wife of King Henry VIII, before climbing to the top of Lewes Castle for views over Sussex. Finish the adventure with dinner at an age-old pub, before pulling back to Brighton.
You’ll then visit a Tudor house gifted to a wife of King Henry VIII, before climbing to the top of Lewes Castle for views over Sussex. Finish the adventure with dinner at an age-old pub, before pulling back to Brighton.
Categories
- History and Culture
- Gastronomy
Discover history and heritage at every turn in Lewes, a relatively small but beautiful town in the South Downs. This day-trip route starts with an energy-boosting stop at one of the top bakery-cafes in East Sussex, before you move onto an old candle factory filled with stylish boutiques.
You’ll then visit a Tudor house gifted to a wife of King Henry VIII, before climbing to the top of Lewes Castle for views over Sussex. Finish the adventure with dinner at an age-old pub, before pulling back to Brighton.
You’ll then visit a Tudor house gifted to a wife of King Henry VIII, before climbing to the top of Lewes Castle for views over Sussex. Finish the adventure with dinner at an age-old pub, before pulling back to Brighton.
Sam Murray
Travel Expert
- Admire Sussex from the ramparts of Lewes Castle.
- Get dressed up in royal garb at Anne of Cleves House.
- Dine on classic British pub grub in a 200-year-old public house.
Day Itinerary
14 Activities
Day 1
20 mi2 mi
Discover the Many Delights of Lewes
Bid farewell to Brighton and journey to Lewes, where historic buildings have been sympathetically converted into trendy boutiques and delightful cafes.
It's easy to lose a day wandering the hilly high street, dipping into shops and chatting to the locals. But this one-dayer will take you to the highlights, allowing you to climb a castle, dress like a royal and enjoy some of the best food and drink in the county.
It's easy to lose a day wandering the hilly high street, dipping into shops and chatting to the locals. But this one-dayer will take you to the highlights, allowing you to climb a castle, dress like a royal and enjoy some of the best food and drink in the county.
07:301 min
Brighton
4.1 mi
20 min
08:0045 min
Stanmer Park Nature Reserve
First stop: Stanmer Park, a green expanse of open fields, rolling hills and fairytale woodlands. It's home to Stanmer House, a Grade I-listed mansion built in 1722. There's also a picturesque 18th-century village, spired church (itself Grade II-listed) and a pretty pond. In short, a beautiful spot for a morning stroll.
5.8 mi
15 min
09:005 min
The Maltings Car Park
Park your vehicle in West Street Car Park, a conveniently located spot. The rest of your Lewes adventure will be on foot.
0.5 mi
5 min
09:1545 min
Flint Owl Bakery
Kick start the day with a wander down the High Street, window shopping along the way, to Flint Owl Bakery. You might find a queue out the door, but their sourdough bread (made with a 45-year-old starter from the French Alps) is well worth the wait. The coffee here is excellent too.
Opening hours: Monday - Friday: 08:30 - 17:00 Saturday: 09:00 - 17:00 Sunday: 09:00 - 16:00
Opening hours: Monday - Friday: 08:30 - 17:00 Saturday: 09:00 - 17:00 Sunday: 09:00 - 16:00
0.3 mi
5 min
10:1530 min
Radical Living
Fuelled up, take a walk to The Needlemakers, where boutiques fill a one-time candle factory built around 1820. During World War I, the building was a – you guessed it – needle-making workshop. Now, however, it’s the perfect place to buy a gift. Head to Radical Giving to pick up a stylish piece of homewear or clothing – your spent cash will go to worthy enterprises.
Opening hours: Monday - Saturday: 10:00 - 17:00 Sunday: 10:00 - 16:00
Opening hours: Monday - Saturday: 10:00 - 17:00 Sunday: 10:00 - 16:00
0.1 mi
5 min
11:0030 min
Lewes Flea Market
Continue your shopping at Lewes Flea Market – a magical emporium of vintage knick-knacks and antique goodies. There's no telling exactly what you're going to find, just expect anything and everything. It's housed in an old Methodist church, but you're unlikely to miss it, with plenty of curios marking the entrance.
Opening hours: Monday - Friday: 10:00 - 17:00 Saturday - Sunday: 10:30 - 17:00
Opening hours: Monday - Friday: 10:00 - 17:00 Saturday - Sunday: 10:30 - 17:00
0.1 mi
5 min
11:451 hr
Needlemakers - Roundhill
Once you’re done, head to the Roundhill Café, which sits within The Needlemakers. Their fully plant-based menu includes an excellent brunch. Opt for the eight-item full breakfast if you’re up for the challenge. Or, if you’re looking for something a bit lighter, the mushrooms on toast (with chestnut mushrooms, wilted spinach and tarragon butter) is a delight.
Opening hours: Monday - Sunday: 10:00 - 16:00
Opening hours: Monday - Sunday: 10:00 - 16:00
0.7 mi
15 min
13:001 hr 30 min
Anne of Cleves House Museum
Continue your exploration of Lewes history at Anne of Cleves House, a 15th-century timber-framed property gifted to the wife of Henry VIII. Inside you’ll find a Tudor kitchen, parlour, and bedroom with a four-poster bed. There are period costumes too, should you really want to embody a Tudor monarch. Take time to visit the gardens, where era-appropriate herbs, shrubs and fruit trees form a pretty display.
Opening hours: Tuesday - Sunday: 10:00 - 17:00
Opening hours: Tuesday - Sunday: 10:00 - 17:00
0.5 mi
15 min
14:451 hr 30 min
Lewes Castle & Museum
You’ll then journey further back in time at Lewes Castle, a Norman fort built by William de Warenne, who fought alongside William the Conqueror at the Battle of Hastings. Clamber to the top for a stretching vista over the county or head to the garden to relax. The attached museum displays artefacts stretching back to prehistory.
Opening hours: March - October: 10:00 - 17:30 November - February: 10:00 - 16:00
Opening hours: March - October: 10:00 - 17:30 November - February: 10:00 - 16:00
0.1 mi
5 min
16:301 hr 30 min
Rights of Man
Admire Lewes Castle from a different angle – preferably with a pint of local Harvey’s ale in hand – on the rooftop terrace at the Rights of Man. If the weather’s not playing fair, the front bar offers cosy booths to snuggle in. And if ale’s not your thing, the bar does a comprehensive turn in gins, with more than 40 to work your way through.
Opening hours: Monday - Sunday: 12:00 - 23:00
Opening hours: Monday - Sunday: 12:00 - 23:00
0.2 mi
5 min
18:152 hrs
The Lewes Arms
Where better to cap your day of history than the Lewes Arms, an atmospheric boozer that’s more than 200 years old? The food’s a hearty range of pub classics with vegan fish and chips should you wish to continue your plant-based day. Also check out the calendar; the Lewes Arms hosts all manner of quirky events, including the World Pea-Throwing Championships and Dwyle Flunking, an age-old game thought to have been designed for apprentice brewers.
Opening hours: Monday - Sunday: 12:00 - 23:00
Opening hours: Monday - Sunday: 12:00 - 23:00
0.1 mi
5 min
20:205 min
The Maltings Car Park
Once you're done dining (or flunking), walk back to the car and pick up your vehicle. It's time to start heading back to Brighton.
0.9 mi
5 min
20:3030 min
Lewes Priory
You're on your way back, but there's still time for one more stop. So visit Lewes Priory, the ruins of the first Cluniac priory in England. It was built in the 11th century and stood for nearly 450 years, before being dissolved on the orders of King Henry VIII. Once you're done admiring the ruins, finish your journey back to Brighton.
8.5 mi
25 min
21:301 min