All Sussex Accommodation

Getting ready for departure at Sheffield Park Station on the Bluebell Railway
The Kent & East Sussex Railway
The Bluebell Heritage Steam Railway near Haywards Heath
The Signal Office at Sheffield Park. Bluebell Railway
Windmill at Nutbourne Vineyard, West Chiltington, West Sussex. Credit.Greg Collins/Horsham DC/PPL

Sussex Steam Railways Windmills Bluebell Railway Kent & East Sussex Railway

Two particular historic attractions stand out within the Sussex countryside as well as on occasions along the Sussex Coast. In any exploration of Sussex you won't fail to notice a large number of surviving windmills both across the South Downs and the High Weald as well on the coast at Rottingdean and near Hove at Blatchington. Windmill locations on high ground and on the coast took full advantage of the winds and favourite Sussex Windmills, many of which are open to the public and listed buildings, include on the South Downs the Jack and Jill Clayton Windmills and around the Weald Nutbourne and Nutley Windmills.

The enthusiasm for renovating heritage railways can be traced to Sussex and one of the first to reopen in Britain in 1960, The Bluebell Railway. This heritage steam railway on the edge of the High Weald in Sussex, with famous main station Sheffield Park, is one of the region's most popular and beloved attractions, especially by children. Other favourite heritage steam railways in Sussex include the Kent & East Sussex Railway which takes in the spectacular Wealden landscape around Northiam and Bodiam Castle. Not forgetting too the little hidden Sussex treasure, The Lavender Line which runs for around 1 mile from main station Isfield just south of Uckfield and the Weald. Look to the Sussex coast too for heritage miniature railways including Eastbourne's famous miniature railway and the historic Volks Electric Railway running along the Brighton Seafront from the pier eastwards to the Marina.

Featured Sussex Accommodation

Findon Manor Hotel - Findon

Beautiful English Country Manor Hotel with multi-award winning restaurant. Luxury en-suite rooms with 4 poster & jacuzzis. On edge of South Downs np.

£30 to £77 Per person B&B (2 sharing)

The Bluebell Railway

Both Haywards Heath and East Grinstead serve as perfect bases from which to access one of Britain's best treasured heritage steam railways - The Bluebell Railway. The Bluebell line, currently from Sheffield Park Station through stops at Horsted Keynes, Kingscote and with extension plans to East Grinstead, was the first preserved standard gauge passenger railway to open in Britain in 1960.

The line from Sheffield Park to Kingscote Station is currently 10 miles long, with a return trip usually lasting around 90 minutes. The opening of this part of the old Lewes to East Grinstead line (part of the wider London Brighton & South Coast Railway) was an inspiration for many other heritage railways across Britain which followed the Bluebell's example. Sit within heritage Victorian Metropolitan Railway coaches or 1920s Southern Railway-liveried SECR and LBSCR coaches and enjoy the stunning journey through the heart of the Sussex High Weald countryside. The route crosses bridges over the River Ouse, through a tunnel at Sharpthorne Village to Kingscote Station. Extensions are currently underway to push the line to East Grinstead. For details on attractions and facilities at each station stop see the Bluebell's webguide.

For adults and children alike, the Bluebell Railway is one of Sussex's top and most popular attractions. Ample parking and a railway museum, cafe restaurant, real ale bar and heritage rail shop are situated at Sheffield Park Station which is located just a mile from the National Trust's Sheffield Park Garden designed by master landscaper 'Capability' Brown. Line tickets offer unlimited travel on the day of your visit and combined Bluebell Railway and Sheffield Park Entrance tickets are also available. The Bluebell Railway caters outstandingly well for children with a full programme of children's activities through the summer months including magic shows and find the teddy bears. Special events are also numerous and include Mothers Day Cream Teas, Vintage Transport Weekends, Wizard Weekends, Victorian Picnics and Bluebell Family Fun Weekends. Heritage trains run all year round along the Bluebell line (check the Bluebell Railway's webguide right for a detailed timetable). Santa Specials during the Christmas period are a favourite, with every child visited by Santa on the train and all receiving a present. Children's entertainers are also on-board and you can have your photo taken with Santa at Kingscote Station. Santa Specials run from early December through to Christmas Eve.

The Bluebell Railway, Sheffield Park Station, East Sussex, TN22 3QL. Tel for general enquiries. 01825 720800 or for Timetable information tel. 01825 720825 (24 hours). A regular bus service runs from East Grinstead to Kingscote Station. See details via the Bluebell Railway's webguide.

Volks Heritage Electric Railway Brighton Seafront

The charming fun family attraction Volks Electric Railway has been entertaining visitors in Brighton since 1883 when Magnus Volks first introduced the electric railway to the resort. Back then the line pushed along the seafront for a quarter of a mile along a two foot gauge line from a stop alongside the Brighton Aquarium.

Having been refused permission by the council to extend the line west along Brighton Seafront, Magnus got permission to extend east and today this miniature electric railway runs all the way from Brighton's Palace Pier (site of the earlier Chain Pier) along the seafront east to Black Rock near Brighton Marina. The gauge is wider today at two foot eight and a half inches and the railway runs throughout the summer season beginning early at Easter and closing during winter.

Incredibly popular, Volks journeys are a budget price with family saver tickets available. You can choose to go just halfway along the line or the full run for Black Rock and the Marina. Trains run from 10am to 5pm on weekdays and until 6pm during weekend and bank holidays during the summer. The season is from Easter/March until mid-September. Trains run frequently at four trains per hour from Black Rock to Brighton Pier.

Eastbourne Miniature Steam Railway

The family fun Eastbourne Miniature Railway is located just inland from Princes Park and the Seafront in the park area around Southbourne Lake (follow Lottbridge Drove up from Sovereign Harbour). Run by the Wadey family, this charming miniature heritage railway is one of Eastbourne's most popular family attractions.

The miniature trains are one-eighth scale steam locomotives and the track runs for around one mile taking in the beautiful parklands of Southbourne and the five acre lake which is a haven for wildlife. An award winning tearoom and gardens are on-site. For opening times and train timetable see the miniature railway's webguide.

The story of the construction of Eastbourne Miniature Railway by the Wadey Family is legendary. Christopher Awdry, author of the popular children's Thomas the Tank Engine books was inspired recently by visits to Eastbourne Miniature Railway and his friendship with the Wadey family to write a new series of children's books. Clearly influenced by this magical miniature railway the book titles include 'Eastbourne's Wedding Special' 'The Chips Express' and 'Oily and the Flood'. Find out more via the Miniature Railway and Christopher Awdry's webguides.

Eastbourne Miniature Steam Railway, Lottbridge Drove, Eastbourne, East Sussex. BN23 6QJ. Tel.01323 520229. Open daily from Mid March to late September 10am to 5pm & weekends during October. Railway shop open daily from 10am to 5pm. See the Miniature Railway's webguide for details on Christmas Santa Specials.

Jack & Jill Clayton Windmills & Oldland Windmill South Downs

The two famous windmills near Burgess Hill at Clayton - called the Jack and Jill Windmills are essential viewing. From the windmills see spectacular views of the surrounding Sussex South Downs and the Sussex Weald to the north. Jill Windmill is owned by Mid-Sussex County Council and maintained by volunteers whilst neighbouring Jack Windmill is in private hands. Jill is open to the public for visits between May and September from 2pm to 5pm on Sundays, with Christmas special openings - see the webguide right for details and a full history of both mills.

Windmills on this South Downs site were first referred to in 1765. The Jack and Jill windmills were most probably given their nicknames by daytrippers in the 1920s.

The Oldland Windmill just east of Keymer (near Hassocks) is also open to visitors and dates from 1783. Oldland mill was in operation up until 1912 and the sweeps were re-installed as recently as 2007 and a special moment it was when they first turned to the wind. Read more and see opening times via the Oldland Windmill's webguide.

West Blatchington Windmill near Hove

The South East contains a selection of historic smock windmills and you'll find one in the West Blatchington area of Hove on Holmes Avenue. The West Blatchington Windmill is Grade II listed and inside you can find out more on the history of the mill and view numerous historic milling and agricultural tools. Refreshments are available on-site and the Windmill opens Sunday and Bank Holidays from May to September from 2.30pm to 5pm.

West Blatchington Windmill, Holmes Avenue, Hove, East Sussex. Tel. 01273 776017.

Kent & East Sussex Railway

This little 10 mile light rural Kent and Sussex railway is a gem, with three main stops Tenterden, Northiam and finally Bodiam in Sussex. Bodiam Castle is one of Britain's most striking castles with moat and medieval battlements. Part of the route of this light railway journey is actually below sea level, moving across old marshland that was once under the sea. Hard to believe today that Tenterden and surrounds grew prosperous as a result of its shipbuilding industry and activities around Smallhythe port.

The main station at Tenterden (just over the border in Kent) is headquarters for the line with on-site shop, buffet restaurant and adjacent museum taking a look particularly at light railway founder Colonel Holman Fred Stephens who also played a part in 16 other light railways around the country! You don't have to wait long after departing from Tenterden station to be greeted by the stunning valley scenery of the High Weald. Next stop is Rolvenden, just one and a half miles from Tenterden. With a hop on/hop off ticket you can take your time and explore the area around each of the stops. Rolvenden was actually Tenterden's original station, and you'll find several historic locomotives on show here. Rolvenden village is a fair distance away from the station stop - one and a half miles. Within the village is a fine collection of old vehicles at the CM Booth exhibit which includes a selection of prized Morgan 3-wheel cars mostly from 1913-1935, a 1904 Humber Tricar, a 1929 Morris van, early cycles and motorcycles and more.

The journey continues on through marshland called the Rother Levels on to next station Wittersham Road which is pretty remote. Onwards to Northiam noting views of the River Rother. You can park and ride at Northiam station too - recommended for visits to Bodiam Castle as this National Trust site lacks its own parking facilities. From Northiam to Bodiam it's 3 miles, but you'll see views of striking medieval Bodiam castle on the approach. Read more via the Kent and East Sussex Railway webguide.

Nutley Windmill in Ashdown Forest, High Weald AONB

To the south of Ashdown Forest situated just north of the Nutley to Duddleswell road is Nutley Windmill, one of the most strikingly preserved of 80 windmills around Sussex. Small holders wanting to grind corn in the Weald took good advantage of the high ground and wind and Nutley Windmill is a prime example of this.

Nutley Windmill dates from 1836 and parts of this windmill are thought to be around 300 years old! This is an English post-mill, rather than a smock windmill. The post-mills turn around a simple post facing on to the wind and Nutley has been fully restored and is open usually on the last Sunday of each month between April and October.

The Lavender Line Sussex High Weald

Just south of Uckfield sits the heritage Lavender Line Railway at Isfield Station. The line is one mile long beginning at Isfield station and pushing north towards Little Horstead. Train rides usually last around 15 minutes. Isfield Station is the site for numerous attractions including the listed Isfield signal box, a Children's Play Area, a Model Railway, Cinders Buffet, a gift shop with a range of railway gifts, an exhibition coach wih photos and railway memorabilia, a picnic area and free parking adjacent. Boasting excellent disabled access (new disabled toilets are at Isfield Station), the little Lavender Line is one of the Weald's most charming attractions. Santa Specials run at Christmas, with a choice of other events running throughout the year. Standard opening times are on Sundays throughout the year. See the Lavender Line's webguide for Santa Specials and additional opening times.

The Lavender Line, Isfield Station, Isfield Near Uckfield, East Sussex TN22 5XB. Tel.01825 750515.