Crowborough Alfriston Hartfield Hailsham Uckfield Ashdown High Weald Lewes 1066 Battle

Ashdown Forest, Winnie the Pooh & Crowborough

Situated a mere 70 kilometres from central London, Ashdown Forest in the heart of the Sussex High Weald AONB stands as one of Europe's few remaining lowland heath areas. Sussex has lost around half of its heathland over the last 200 years. Walkers can walk on any part of the common land of Ashdown Forest. The area is managed by The Conservators and 50 car parks sit within the park with a main visitor centre just to the east of Wych Cross off the A22 main road. As well as walks and trails, including famous Winnie-the-Pooh walks which tend to start from Gills Lap Car Park, attractions include the Nutley Windmill and the Ashdown Forest Llama Park.

Ashdown Forest is most famous for its connections with Winnie-the-Pooh and the author A.A.Milne. Milne lived with his family, including son Christopher Robin, in a farmhouse at Hartfield, just a short walk from Ashdown Forest. Numerous sites within Ashdown Forest served as inspiration for the Pooh Books and indeed ended up in them including Gills Lap, Pooh Sticks Bridge and the Enchanted Place. A choice of Pooh walks are within Ashdown Forest taking in some of the famous Winnie-the-Pooh sites. Detailed maps and guides for Pooh walks and sites are via the Ashdown Forest webguide and it's well worth calling in at the Ashdown Forest Centre to pick up free Pooh Walks leaflets. A Pooh Corner Shop with all things Winnie-the-Pooh is also situated on Hartfield's High Street.

Attractive market town Crowborough is ideally located for exploring both Ashdown Forest and the wider Kent and Sussex High Weald Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. A popular base for easy access into Ashdown Forest on its doorstep, Crowborough is actually sited on one of the highest locations in Sussex. Just to the North of Crowborough is historic Royal Tunbridge Wells with its Georgian Pantiles walkway and impressive choice of specialist and chic boutique shops. The Kent Weald gardens and vineyards at Groombridge, Lamberhurst, Scotney and Bedgebury are also all within easy reach of the town. The Sussex and Kent High Weald contains a choice of vineyards and two - Barnsgate and Davenport Vineyards are around Crowborough. Famous British author and creator of Sherlock Holmes, Sir Arthur Conan Doyle was resident with his family in Windlesham on the Crowborough outskirts from around 1907 until his death at Windlesham in 1930.

Crowborough is perfect as a walking base. The 80 mile Weald Way Walking Trail sits just to the west of the town, and Crowborough boasts a number of walking trails in its immediate area including walks tracing the history of iron making around Mayfield and the Rotherfield Circular walk just north of the town.

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The Sussex High Weald - Uckfield, Heathfield & Hailsham

Nestled between the North and South Downs is the Sussex and Kent High Weald, a designated Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and a protected landscape. The High Weald is currently one of 36 designated Areas of Outstanding Beauty across Britain. The word 'Weald' means forest or wilderness, but across the High Weald which stretches from Horsham in the West to Rye and Winchelsea in the South East are a variety of landscapes waiting to be discovered including rolling hills with sandstone outcrops, steep-sided ravines, areas of heathland particularly within Ashdown Forest and small fields and woodland. In the Domesday book of 1086 the High Weald was recorded as one of the most wooded areas in England, however today the High Weald consists of around 39,905 hectares of woodland (about twenty five percent of the total area).

The Sussex Weald has had a number of famous residents over the years - Rudyard Kipling at Batemans in Burwash, Sir Arthur Conan Doyle at Crowborough and in Kent Vita Sackville West at Sissinghurst and Anne Boleyn at Hever Castle. The most important battle on English soil took place in the Sussex High Weald - the Battle of Hastings at Battle in 1066. Today Battle is one of the High Weald's most popular locations where you can tour the ruins of Battle Abbey and the Battle of Hastings battlefield site. Charming heritage steam railways are within the High Weald including the popular Bluebell Railway around Haywards Heath, the Kent & East Sussex Railway with stops at both Bodiam Castle and Northiam and the Spa Valley Railway from Royal Tunbridge Wells. Not to be missed is one of the High Weald's best kept secrets, the charming Lavender Line Heritage Railway with main station at Isfield south of Uckfield. The High Weald Gardens - Groombridge, Nymans, Bedgebury, Borde Hill, Great Dixter, Hever Castle, High Beeches, the Elizabethan gardens at Herstmonceux Castle, Leonardslee, Sissinghurst and Sheffield Park to name a few, are world renowned for their exotic plants many of which were initially collected by Victorian planters.

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The Sussex Low Weald - Barcombe, Plumpton, Bentley & Michelham Priory

To the north of the South Downs and Lewes and just south of the High Weald is the Low Weald area. This is low-lying clay landscape containing historic peaceful villages such as Barcombe, famous for its water mills alongside the River Ouse, and historic sites such as Michelham Priory. Popular attractions in the area include Bentley Wildfowl & Motor Museum at Halland, The Lavender Line at Isfield, Plumpton Racecourse and around North Chailey Beechland Wood and Rock Lodge Vineyard.

The Anchor Inn at Barcombe with boating lake is a popular spot with both visitors and locals and evidence of Roman remains have been discovered around Barcombe including Roman bath house remains situated to the south of the village. Charming country pubs and B&Bs feature strongly in this area which is perfect for getting away from it all and within easy access of Lewes and the High Weald Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

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East Sussex South Downs

Some of the most beautiful countryside and striking features of the South Downs are in Mid and East Sussex. Classic stunning Downland, hillside chalk engravings including the Long Man and the Litlington White Horse, outstanding famous beauty spots such as Ditchling Beacon, the Cuckmere Valley and Devil's Dyke and a choice of stunning Downland villages all feature in the East Sussex South Downs. Ancient hill top burial mounds are around Blackcap dating from the Bronze and Saxon periods and many names in the area herald from the Saxon period including Firle, Saxon for oak-covered land and Pyecombe derived from the Saxon 'peac cumb' meaning the peak valley.

The South Downs Way long distance walking trail winds through the Downland in the area near popular Downland village walking bases including Poynings, Pyecombe, Saddlescombe, Fulking and Ditchling Village.

The East Sussex South Downs around Lewes is home to some of the best arts centres in the region including the famous Opera House at Glyndebourne and numerous festivals and events at the Elizabethan manor house Glynde Place.

The country retreat of famous British novelist Virginia Woolf, Monk's House, is at Rodmell to the south of Lewes in the heart of the Downs. Fans of the Bloomsbury set of artists and writers which included Virginia Woolf, E.M.Forster and the artists Vanessa Bell and Duncan Grant will want to make a pilgrimage to the beautiful 17th century Charleston Farmhouse near Firle Beacon off the A27 road. Charleston is an exquisite work of art decorated throughout by Bell and Grant who were influenced by Post-Impressionist artists like Picasso and Cezanne.

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Alfriston in the South Downs

Medieval Alfriston in the heart of the East Sussex South Downs is a main centre in the South Downs. The South Downs Way National Trail runs through the town, with shorter walks around Alfriston including riverbank walks along the Cuckmere. Alfriston High Street is lined with the finest of Sussex specialist shops featuring a choice of books and antique shops, fine food shops selling organic and locally produced food and an outstanding choice of restaurants and character country pubs.

Historic medieval buildings in Alfriston include the National Trust's first purchased property The Clergy House, a 14th century medieval hall. Overlooking the old Clergy House sits the stunning Cathedral of the Downs, St Andrews Church dating from 1360. The church is the site for a choice of concerts and events particularly during Alfriston's annual acclaimed Festival in August. Alfriston is also home to the number one most popular family attraction in Sussex, Drusillas Family Fun Park where you'll find over 130 species of animals including new for 2008 the Walk Through Lemurland and a huge choice of adventure themed play areas.

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Battle, Battle Abbey & 1066 Battle of Hastings Battlefield

Battle in the High Weald AONB is home to one of England's most historic sites, the battlefield of the Battle of Hastings fought here on 14th October 1066. It was here that England changed. The battle marked the end of Anglo-Saxon England and the beginnings of Norman domination which was to instigate close links with Western Europe, broken ties with England's Scandinavian neighbours and the imposition of increased power into the hands of Royalty and the chosen Royal few. This shift still has an influence and impact on today's Britain. After the Battle of Hastings in 1066, King William established a Benedictine Abbey on the site here at Battle as a monument to those who had fallen but also to commemorate his victory. The monastery flourished, courtesy of William's considerable endowments and thrived for 400 years as a mighty powerhouse until Henry VIII dissolved the monasteries including Battle Abbey. Today the site is cared for by English Heritage and alongside Dover Castle is one of the most visited historic sites in the South. An extensive on-site exhibition near the magnificent towered Abbey Gatehouse guides you through the history of the 1066 Battle before you move on to tour the Battlefield site. Plaques detailing the events of the battle are situated around the Battlefield trail, complimented by an audio tour. Other museums and historic sites on the huge Battle site include the ruins of Battle Abbey, a walled garden, the Museum of Abbey Life and the Court House and Medieval Gatehouse which serves as entrance and is home to a shop. A cafe sits adjacent to the exhibition on the 1066 Battle.

The town of Battle surrounding the Battlefield and Abbey is a picture-postcard affair with a fine choice of specialist shops, stylish cafes, character country inns and restaurants lining Battle High Street. Other attractions in the town include the family favourite 'Yesterday's World'. This award winning museum just opposite Battle Abbey is a fascinating journey into British social history and fabulously interactive for children with on-site traditional English Sweet Shop, nostalgic gift shop and Nippys Tea Room. Battle, Battle Abbey and the 1066 Battlefield stand at the midway point of the 31 mile long 1066 Country Walk Trail which starts at Pevensey Castle, landing site of William the Conqueror and his Norman forces, moving on to medieval Rye. En-route the trail takes in all the major sites pertaining to the Norman conquest including Hastings Castle and is easily broken down into smaller walks, for example Pevensey to Battle at 16 miles.

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Lewes

Within Sussex Lewes is one of the most famous historic centres with its Norman castle constructed soon after the Battle of Hastings in 1066 and a wealth of historic buildings spanning the Medieval, Tudor, Georgian and Victorian periods. Main historic attractions in Lewes include the striking elevated Lewes Castle on a hill just off Lewes High Street. Climb to the top of the towers of Lewes Castle for spectacular panoramic views of the South Downs and Ouse River Valley. The on-site Barbican House Museum details the history of the castle from its construction by Norman Baron William de Warenne through to key events which the castle was involved with including the Battle of Lewes in 1264 and the Peasants' Revolt in 1381. An exhibit on the Story of Lewes is also within.

More historic Lewes attractions include the Lewes Priory site, also founded by the Norman William de Warenne and near the priory the timber-frammed 15th century Wealden house given to Anne of Cleves as part of her divorce settlement from Henry VIII. Find the outstanding Lewes Gallery at the Anne of Cleves House, Garden & Museum which details the history of Lewes from the 15th century to the present. The gallery includes fascinating details such as time spent in Lewes by the radical Thomas Paine who got his first taste of politics in the town. Despite being owned by Anne of Cleves, Anne never actually lived in the house. Lewes town centre's stunning selection of medieval and other historic buildings is further boosted by its reputation for fine restaurants, historic country inns, local produce and excellent choice of antique, specialist and book shops. Lewes is also ideally placed for exploring the South Downs and is within easy reach of both Brighton and Eastbourne on the coast. Further attractions surrounding Lewes include Glyndebourne, Glynde Place and the Bloomsbury Artists' meeting place Charleston. Popular family attraction Spring Barn Farm is also situated in the Downs near Lewes.

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