If you fancy making a weekend of it, there are a thousand and one things to do around the area.We know we are having only a small wedding on Saturday afternoon, and if you are coming from a way away, there is so much to do nearby to make it a bit of a special weekend somewhere lovely, as well as celebrating with us. This can hopefully give you some ideas to keep you entertained whilst Laura and Charis gently panic on the morning of the marriage!
For Culture:
Charleston Farmhouse - home of the Bloomsbury group, filled with incredible artwork and the tourguides are full of information, The garden is also beautiful, at all times of the year, but spring flowers should be especially pretty. P.S. Many of the same artists are responsible for the paintings inside Berwick Church, where the ceremony is being held. It is a fairly special place!
Monk's House - Along the Bloomsbury theme, this was the home of Leonard and Virginia Woolf, and whilst it is a gorgeous property to walk around, it is also full of insights into their life and work.
Alfriston Clergy House - The first ever National Trust property, this is a Medieval house and gardens just across the green from our Reception venue. Once again, the gardens are a beautiful escape.
Brighton Pavilion - Built for George IV, it is an iconic part of Brighton's landscape. The inside is like entering a magic wonderland filled with colours and textures. Also in the grounds is the Brighton Museum and Art Gallery, which is always worth a quick wander through.
Lewes Castle - A Norman Castle, within the pretty streets of Lewes. Well worth a walk through the building and the grounds, with some beautiful views across the town and the South Downs from the top.Nearby is Anne of Cleves house, which was given to her by Henry VIII as part of their divorce.
For Food and Drink:
Middle Farm - organic and local produce is sold in the farmshop, as well as cafe and restaurant with home baked cakes and pies. They also have a huge selection of Ciders and Perry, which can be tasted before taking home- choose a designated driver, some of it is lethal! You can even wander around the farm itself to see all the hens, horses, cows and pigs. Trotsky the pig is a personal favourite!
Alfriston itself has a host of lovely tearooms like Badgers and Chestnuts, as well as good pubs like the George and the Star Inn.
The South Downs is full of great pubs- everyone needs good stopping off points if they're walking the South Downs Way! If you want good pub grub and a cosy atmosphere, The Cricketers' Arms (just down the road from the Church), The Tiger Inn (in Laura's home village of East Dean) and The Eight Bells (in Jevington) are some local favoutites.
Harvey's brewery in Lewes produces Sussex Ales and as well as a good shop, offers brewery tours and tastings for any beer lovers
The Rathfinny Estate in Alfriston is producing lovely local wines and they too offer estate tours and tastings as well as having a gorgeous selection of wine and locally made homeware available in their shop, The Gun Room (next door to our reception venue... you're getting the theme that nothing is far away, right?)
Brighton, Lewes and Eastbourne all has some good restaurant offerings, and we can also very much recommend Beehive on the Green and Thai Terre in East Dean
For Nature:
Well, you're smack bang in the middle of a National Park, so there are any number of beautiful walks and landscapes! The full South Downs Way walk is available to see here. However, some must sees right nearby are:
The Seven Sisters and Beachy Head - The white cliffs and the sea, it is an iconic part of the coastline. If walking up and over is a bit of a trek, taking the winding road which follows the cliffs is a lovely way to see it. Just pull into the laybyes to take it all in every so often! Laura grew up just down the road and far too many childhood summers were spent at Birling Gap Beach, finding crabs in the rockpools and puncturing bicycle tyres en route from East Dean. That isn't mentioning the torture of cross-country running at prep school!It is a place full of memories as well as outstanding beauty.
The Long Man of Wilmington - A huge drawing in chalk, etched into the hillside. Everyone quibbles over how old it really is (Prehistoric? Roman? 11th Century?) and noone really knows why he is there or what he means but the stories are fun to read.
The Cuckmere Valley - especially beautiful covered in morning mists or at sunset, the meanders of the Cuckmere as it winds towards the sea are pretty special. It is a quick and pretty walk from the visitor carpark right down to the mouth of the river and in April, you may even spot some lambs around!
For Birdwatchers, the Ouse Estuary Nature Reserve is the spot to visit. With nice paths amongst farmland, floodland and marshes, as well as a covered bird watching screen, it is an unexpected spot between the built up towns of Seaford and Newhaven.