Visit Lewes

Lewes, the historic county town of East Sussex, is a mixture of the impressive, unusual and the intriguing. Situated on the banks of the river Ouse and at the heart of the South Downs National Park, Lewes is a picturesque town steeped in history.

Initially a Saxon village, the Norman built  Lewes Castle still dominates the townscape. Adjacent to the Castle is the Barbican House Museum and just a short walk through Southover Grange Gardens is the beautiful 15th century timber-framed Anne of Cleves House and the remains of the Lewes Priory.

There are many places to visit in Lewes, so take the time to meander through the mediaeval heart of the town with its twisting streets and tiny twittens exploring the towns rich heritage. With a great range of independent shopping, antique centres, art galleries and a tempting variety of local eateries and restaurants on offer its a great place to visit for the day or a longer stay. Lewes is also home to the famous Harvey's Brewery, which was established over 200 years ago. Sample one of their fine ales in many of the local pubs or visit their shop to take a souvenir home with you.

You will find a great range of hotels and bed & breakfasts in Lewes offering a wide range of accommodation for all tastes and budgets. Coincide your visit to Lewes with one of the many events that take place including Lewes Farmers' Market, held on the first Saturday of each month, Lewes Bonfire celebrations, Artwave Open Studios Festival or the nearby Glynebourne Opera.

Lewes is a convenient base for exploring the recently designated South Downs National Park, Brighton and Eastbourne. For further information about visiting Lewes contact: Lewes Tourist Information Centre

Useful Information:

Visit the BBC website for a 5 day weather forecast for Lewes. Regular Trains to Lewes station run direct from London Victoria (80mins), Gatwick Airport (30mins) and Brighton (10mins). Download Lewes town centre map . Visit Lewes Chamber of Commerce website for details of shopping in Lewes.

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