Local things to do and see

The South Downs Way

The South Downs Way is an amazing resource. It stretches 100 miles from the sea shore at Eastbourne to the centre of Winchester, almost all off-road and all within the South Downs National Park. It starts off along the beautiful grass turf of the downs, with the great chalk cliffs and the sea beside it; at Cuckmere it leaves the coast and continues along inland valleys, but there are numerous paths leading off it to the top of the Downs. You can walk or cycle along its length – be prepared for some hill climbing and descending. A favourite place to start off from is Beachy Head, where there are several car parks, also a café.

The National Trail website – Southdowns Way Trail and South Downs Discovery Map.

The nearest car park to Pekes on the South Downs Way is just north of Alfriston (7 miles).

The Cuckoo Trail

A 14 mile flat-surfaced trail through woodlands and open country along the old railway line – a great resource for walkers and cyclists of all ages. It runs from Heathfield in the north to near Eastbourne in the south.

The nearest car park and access point is at Hellingly, just 4 miles from Pekes.

Website: The Cuckoo Trail

Walking

You can walk from Pekes, down past the Oast House, and out onto the Weald along a bridleway that takes you for about 3 miles to near the little village of Hellingly (the first section is usually dry but the second part can be very muddy).
There are many footpaths round the village. The Gun pub has published six Walks of the Gun; these are good guides to many of the local footpaths of various lengths (2 miles and upwards) and for most abilities. They all begin and finish at The Gun of course.

All the Guides are downloadable at The Gun Pub Walks

Walking with the Romans

Turn left down Nash Street, go to the A22, and opposite you will find a ‘green lane’ footpath. You are then on a known Roman road that takes you south west past Chalvington, through Selmeston, past Alciston and Bopeep and then straight up and over the South Downs, and down to the river Ouse on the edge of Newhaven.

The Ouse was an important Roman entry river leading to their port at Lewes, and there was much activity on the bank here offloading, transhipping to lighters, etc.

Although not proved, it’s almost certain that Nash Street/Thunders Hill/Gun Hill/Pike Hill and the way north to Heathfield is an extension of this road; the Romans adopted numerous existing ways as local roads, and of course the Weald was a hugely important source for them of iron for military and many other purposes.

Cycling

The South Downs Way (above) is a great favourite with cyclists of all abilities. The Cuckoo Trail (also above) is part of National Cycle Network Route 21, which runs from Greenwich to Eastbourne.

Friston Forest has excellent cycleways, but be prepared for the uphills as well as the Downs!

There are a number of bike hire shops in Eastbourne, such as Let’s Bike. Cuckmere Cycle Co at Exceat below Alfriston sells, rents and repairs cycles: Cuckmere Cycles. Marmalade MTB provides a huge range of accompanied/coached Mountain Bikes rides all over the area for groups, corporate away-days, etc. Marmalade MTB

Hang Gliding & Paragliding

The South Downs frequently provide perfect conditions for these sports, and are a centre for enthusiasts. The area has many schools and clubs that you can contact about this; perhaps through the British Hang Gliding and Paragliding Association. Website: BHPA.

You can also try:
Fly Sussex Paragliding. Tel: 01273 858170. Website: Fly Sussex
South Downs Hang Gliding. Tel: 07890 362648. Website: South Downs Hang Gliding

Visit local Nature Reserves

Sussex Wildlife Trust looks after three Reserves within easy reach of Pekes – Seaford Head, Malling Down above Lewes and Selwyns Wood, though they have 32 across the area.

Website: Sussex Wildlife Trust

Local Horse Riding

… in our village. Glebe Field Riding and Equestrian Centre is a family-run enterprise with comprehensive facilities for all ages and abilities, set in 60 acres of woodland in our village of Chiddingly.

Contact Jackie Russell, tel: 07746 635 213
Website: Glebe Field Riding School

Swimming

Our heated pool is available to everyone on a first-come-first-served basis. For those who like sea bathing, there are beaches at Newhaven, Seaford, Cuckmere Haven, Eastbourne, Pevensey Bay and other places.

At Cuckmere you can walk up the river on the path, and float in it down to the sea.

Tennis

We have our own hard-surface court which is available to everyone on a first-come-first-served basis.

Table tennis, lawn badminton and croquet are also available to Guests at the Manor House.

Golf

Two good very local courses are:
Horam Park Golf Club (5 miles).
Tel: 01435 813 477. Website: Horam Park Golfclub

Wellshurst Golf and Country Club (3.5 miles).
Tel: 01435 813636. Website: Wellshurst Golf & Country Club

The Seven Sisters

This succession of sheer chalk cliffs form the most stunning coastal landscape in Sussex. You can look along them from Seaford Head, Cuckmere Haven or Beachy Head; you can walk or mountain bike along their length or take one of many paths inland across the beautiful chalk downland.

The Country Park is centred on the visitor centre at Exceat near Alfriston (car park, etc.), and there are many other things to do. Birling Gap is a pretty spot (beach, café, shop), ), and Beachy Head has spectacular views and a pub, WCs, and ample parking. East Dean is a picturesque old village with an excellent pub, The Tiger Inn. About 12 miles from Pekes.

Abbot’s Wood

Nearly 900 acres of very ancient woodland open all year, with marked short and long circular quite flat paths. A fantastic woodland experience at any time of the year, most especially in late Spring, when there are carpets of bluebells & fritillaries.

4 miles from Pekes. Go south down the A22, turn off right after the Diplocks roundabout (signed Arlington) and then first left. There is a large car park. Website: Abbot’s Wood.

Drusillas Park

Drusillas is a place every child wants to visit – one of the best small zoos there are, with loads of fun entertainments and play areas, cafés and places to eat. A real day out for children of all ages. Open every day: 10-6 in summer and 10-5 in winter. 6 miles from Pekes.

Website: Drusillas Park

Knockhatch Adventure Park

Knockhatch is one of the most compelling children’s adventure places you can find, with an almost endless variety of fun things to do for kids of most ages. Also they have a renowned falconry centre and a variety of animals on site, as well as cafés, etc.

Like Drusillas, this is a MUST for bored children, they will get exhausted. One price, which is much less in the winter months, gets access to almost everything, and it’s best to book online as it gets busy. Open most of the year.Website: Knockhatch Adventure Park

Also right next door is the Knockhatch Ski and Surfboard centre. 4 miles from Pekes down the A22, on the right as you pass Hailsham.

Amazon Events

Part of the Knockhatch set-up, Amazon Events offers adventures for grown up kids, adults, stags, etc. They include paintball, quad biking, rifle shooting, archery, off road karting, a woodland assault course and It’s a Knockout.

Website: Amazon Outdoor Events.

Bentley Country Park

Between Halland and Ringmer. Although the once-renowned wildfowl park is now closed, the Motor Museum is still in place, with dozens of vintage and classic cars and motorbikes. 7 miles from Pekes north up the A22. Websites: Bentley Park and Motor Museum

Blackberry Farm

A working farm just up the road with animal handling, outside and indoor play areas, pony rides, tractor rides, a café and a shop. Lots to do and delight small people. Often open every day of the week for weeks at a time. 3 miles from Pekes up the A22 at the other side of Whitesmiths (see roadside sign boards on the right).

Website: Blackberry Farm Park

Horam Manor Farm

There are many things to do in this charming and inexpensive place – nature trails through the woods and fields, craft workshops, a fascinating old Sussex Farm Museum, and a café by a lake. They also have riding stables and a fishery. 3 miles from Pekes. Open at various times, see Website: Horam Manor Farm

Stonehill Farm

Pick Your Own, in our village! The McKay family has operated Stonehill Farm as a PYO for very many years, with a huge variety of fruit available to pick right through the summer and autumn. They also have a simple shop and café. Turn right out of the drive, go all the way right up Thunders Hill, Gun Hill and Pike Hill, turn the first left down Chiddingly Road and it’s the second entrance on the left.

Facebook: Stonehill Farm PYO

Arlington Reservoir

Arlington Reservoir is a stunning c.250 acre piece of water in tranquil countryside which is so important for wildlife that it’s been designated an SSSI. A bird watcher’s paradise, especially in winter. There’s a nice flat one-hour walk around it, you can book in to fish, Car Park and café. Go through Upper Dicker and it’s on the left as you approach Berwick Station.

Website: Arlington Reservoir

Railways

The nearest mainline stations are Berwick Station and Polegate.

The nearest heritage steam railways are the Kent and East Sussex Railway that runs for 11.5 miles along the Rother valley from Bodiam to Tenterden (well worth a visit), and the Bluebell Railway that runs for 11 miles across the Sussex countryside from Sheffield Park to East Grinstead.

Websites: Kent & East Sussex, Bluebell Railway

Horse Racing

Plumpton is an excellent National Hunt course with lots of good racing, excitement and hospitality – a great day out. Fixtures throughout most of the year. North West of Lewes, 17 miles from Pekes.

Website: Plumpton Racecourse

Opera

Glyndebourne, the world-famous opera house set in beautiful gardens, hosts the Glyndebourne Festival every year from late May for three months. The programme is varied, the singing and music are world-class, and it’s a MUST for anyone who loves opera. Public booking normally starts in early March and you should book as early as possible – it is very popular. On the day, it’s normal to wear evening dress, though dark suits are acceptable. Dinner takes place in the long interval – you can bring your own picnic and eat it in the garden or book into one of the Leith’s eateries (but not for the interval!). A very beautiful and English experience. 8 miles from Pekes.

Website: Glyndebourne

Rathfinny

Although very new, Rathfinny is already the leader in East Sussex vineyards, and is set to produce 1 million bottles per year. It’s a rather staggering development in beautiful Cradle valley, and they have vineyard tours, tastings, and two excellent restaurants (book in advance). About 1 mile beyond Alfriston on the Seaford Road, on the right.

Telephone: 01323 871 031. Website: Rathfinny Estate

Farleys House & Gallery

Just up the road from Pekes at Muddles Green is Farleys House, known as ‘The home of the Surrealists’. There are many works by Roland Penrose, Lee Miller and other Surrealist and more modern artists, as well as a sculpture garden. Normally open on Thursdays, Fridays and Sundays, 10-4:30 4^th April to 31^st October.

Telephone: 01825 872 856. Website: Farley Farmhouse

Lewes

Once a Roman port, Lewes is now a charming old County town with many interesting and good shops, eateries, as well as at least three supermarkets.
Lewes Castle and The Priory are impressive, and Anne of Cleves House is a great little museum of old Sussex, with interesting ancient interiors and objects. Cafés, coffee shops, pubs, restaurants, nice town walks.
If you like antiques, visit the Church Hill Antiques Centre on Station Street – 60 dealers selling everything.

10 miles from Pekes. Discover more at the Lewes Tourist Information Website.

Eastbourne

Our nearest large seaside town, with something for everyone. The seafront has all kinds of attractions like children’s theme parks, mini golf, gardens, a fun Pier, a leisure pool, and a great Bandstand. There are opportunities for water sports and boat trips out to sea. There are interesting shops and, some excellent other places to visit. 13 miles from Pekes.

Website: Visit Eastbourne

Towner Art Gallery

In the centre of Eastbourne, this little gem has an astonishing collection of mostly British art – old and contemporary, and interesting children’s activities. It notably houses many works by the quintessential East Sussex artist Eric Ravilious. Open Tuesday to Sunday and Bank Holiday Mondays 10am – 6pm. Free admission.

Website: Towner Art Gallery

See also The Puppet Museum in the Wish Tower on the seafront.

Brighton

Brighton of course has lots for everyone – Beach, Pier, Marina, the Royal Pavilion, the Lanes, the Wheel, bars, restaurants, pubs, clubs, museums, parks, Regency architecture, amazing shops of every sort, and a lot more. 19 miles from Pekes.

Website: Visit Brighton

Newhaven

A seaside town and ferry port with two exceptional venues, Newhaven’s Paradise Park is a combination of earth history, garden, play area, café, shop, etc., with much to enjoy for all ages.
Website: Paradise Park.

Newhaven Fort is a vast Victorian defensive work near the river mouth with loads of interest, especially re-creations of life there during two World Wars. 14 miles from Pekes, open every day.

Webste: Newhaven Fort

Newhaven is also the home of the renowned Bickerstaffs fishmongers on the Quay.

Alfriston

A charming and historic village on the way to the sea, Alfriston has old shops, nice tea-rooms, pubs and restaurants (including the outstanding Star). It also has the Alfriston Clergy House, a fascinating thatched 14th century hall house with a charming garden; this was the first building to be acquired by the National Trust in 1896. Open most days 10.30am to 5:00pm. 8 miles from Pekes.

Website: Alfriston Clergy House

Battle Abbey & 1066

A fascinating visit for all ages, the most significant battlefield in England. There’s an excellent visitor centre, a museum, a walled garden, etc. Open every weekend, and almost every day except winter. Battle itself is well provisioned with tea-rooms, cafes, pubs, etc. 16 miles from Pekes.

Website: Battle Abbey & Battlefield

Herstmonceux

This place, which is 11 miles from Pekes along the A271, has two unique buildings. The Observatory Science Centre, within the old Royal Greenwich Observatory buildings, houses a whole range of really exciting science exhibitions and events like no other, and is open daily through much of the year from 10 – 17:00.

Website: The Observatory

Herstmonceux Castle

A stunning 15th century brick-built moated castle. You can do a guided tour of the castle (which is now part of a university), and you can visit the 300 acres of gardens, woodlands and walks. Open daily 10:00 – 17:30.

Website: Herstmonceux Castle

Firle Place

A truly outstanding 18th century grand country house under the Downs, with nationally significant collections of furniture, paintings, porcelain, etc. Home of the Gage family for nearly 500 years. Open most days in summer. Tearoom. 7 miles from Pekes off the A27 westbound.

Website: Firle Place

Glynde Place

An imposing Elizabethan country house with beautiful views across the Downs. Quite recently very sympathetically entirely repaired and restored. Only open at some times in May and June, but really worth it. Simple Tearoom. 8 miles from Pekes off the A27 westbound.

Website: Glynde Place

Michelham Priory

The substantial and picturesque remains of a 13th century priory, surrounded by the longest moat in England. Apart from the interesting main building, there is a lot going on here – seven acres of grounds with a kitchen garden and medieval herb garden, a working watermill and a forge, a replica Bronze Age roundhouse, an excellent children’s play area and other amusements. Café and gift shop. Open most days through the year. 4 miles from Pekes, near Upper Dicker.

Website: Michelham Priory

Charleston Farmhouse

The home of the painters Vanessa Bell and Duncan Grant and their (her) children, and the meeting place of every member of the Bloomsbury Group. This is an important place in 20th century art and literature (and economics – Keynes was a friend who lived down the lane, Virginia Woolf two villages away. The house is a treasure trove of Bloomsbury painting and decoration, with special exhibitions and special events, like the renowned Charleston Festival in May. Beautiful garden; café and shop. Open all year Wednesdays to Sunday from 10:00 – 17:00. 7 miles from Pekes.

Website: Charleston Farmhouse
See also Charleston in Lewes: Charleston in Lewes

Monk’s House

If you wish, you can combine Charleston Farmhouse with a visit to Virginia and Leonard Woolf’s 17^th Century home Monk’s House at Rodmell, a few miles to the west. It’s an interesting place, a pilgrimage place. 14 miles from Pekes.

Website: Monk’s House

Berwick Church

At the invitation of Bishop Bell in 1941, a large part of the interior of this Victorian church was covered with astounding murals by Duncan Grant, assisted by Vanessa and Quentin Bell. The central themes of the New Testament are depicted with ordinary wartime people that they knew and the Sussex landscapes that they loved. Open daily from 10:00 – 17:00. 6 miles from Pekes..

Website: Berwick Church

You can take a 7 mile circular walk from there to Charleston Farmhouse (above) and back through Alfriston (pub) and Berwick village (pub).

Pevensey

The bay with its long shingle beach (car parks, toilet, café, pubs) is where the Normans landed in 1066, and is a nice unspoilt seaside place. Back inland is Pevensey village (car par, toilet, pubs), dominated by its huge Roman fort with a ruined Norman castle in the middle. Open every day 10am – 6pm. 12 miles from Pekes.

Website: Pevensey Castle

JCJ Pottery

A charming small pottery making handmade and hand-painted domestic and lustre ware; they do commissions and commemorative items too. 10 miles from Pekes – take the A27 past Polegate, and turn off left at Hankham (before Pevensey).

Website: JCJ Pottery

Batemans

This large and beautiful 17th century sandstone house was writer Rudyard Kipling’s home for his final nearly 35 years, and it is kept almost exactly as he and his wife Carrie left it. It has a lovely garden including a working water mill. This is a place of pilgrimage for all Kipling admirers, and it’s full of interesting and beautiful things. National Trust café and shop. 13 miles from Pekes.

Website: Batemans

Sheffield Park

There are few very large gardens in East Sussex, but this is a notable, large and outstandingly mature landscape garden laid out round a series of lakes, with beautiful colours in spring and autumn. Long paths meander past beautiful old trees through the gardenscape, leading to wildlife areas and include children’s playtrails. Dogs are welcome. This is a National Trust garden, with all the usual facilities. Open most days of the year. 14 miles from Pekes, left off the A22 past Uckfield.

Website: Sheffield Park & Garden

The Windmill at Windmill Hill

This beautifully restored and fully working mill is a treasure of a bygone age, when windmills were everywhere. Originally built in c. 1815, it’s the largest post mill in the UK – the whole body of the mill can be hand-revolved to turn it into the wind. There’s an interesting small visitor centre and shop in its unique outer roundhouse. At Windmill Hill village near Herstmonceux. 9 miles from Pekes.

Website: Windmill Hill Windmill

The Long Man of Wilmington

Amazingly huge figure of a man with two staves carved in the Downland chalk and visible for many miles across the Weald. Its date and meaning are mysterious. You can walk up to the top (Windover Hill) from either side on zig zag paths, not too steep, and continue across the Downs. Turn off the A27, go through Wilmington village and there’s a car park on the right, but go early – it’s small. While in Wilmington visit the nice Long Man Inn (cosy) and the yew in the Churchyard which may be 1,500 years old. 9 miles from Pekes.

Website: Long Man of Wilmington