Explore
Discover our carefully curated list of things to do, see and explore in East Sussex and beyond. From brunching down at Great Park Farm to sunbathing on Camber Sands Beach, there’s something for everyone here in our beautiful county.
Either browse via location using the map below or scroll down to reveal the visual directory.
Great Park Farm
Café & Shop.
Situated right here on the farm, Great Park Farm is jam-packed full of delicious homemade goodies that are guaranteed to tantalise the taste buds. Stop by for a coffee, pop in for afternoon tea and cake, or stock up on ingredients to create the world’s best picnic. Go on, treat yourself… you’re on holiday, after all!
You can also order food packages in advance from the farm shop via our website. (Please note, you will need your password supplied at the point of booking.)
For more details, check out the Great Park Farm website here.
Photo by one of our wonderful guests - @alannanicolex
The Sauna.
Also located here on the farm is our very own sauna. An experience not to be missed during your stay. Surrounded by lush greenery and with views over a babbling brook it offers complete privacy in a serene setting.
It’s the perfect way to relax and reconnect with nature in a truly tranquil environment.
The Crown Pub Hastings
Seeking a cosy pub with award-winning craft beers, a friendly atmosphere and truly excellent food? This independently run free house in situated in the heart of Hastings Old Town, just a stone’s throw away from the iconic beach.
The Crown is the coolest pub around, frequented by some of the trendiest people in the south. They serve modern British food, made from only the very best locally sourced, seasonal ingredients.
64-66 All Saints St, Hastings, TN34 3BN
Get directions here. See their menu here. Check out their website here.
Rae Lifestyle.
Searching for beautifully designed and elegant pieces for your home that are responsibly sourced from independent suppliers and craftspeople? Look no further than Rae Lifestyle.
We love Rae’s stunning pieces so much that we’ve furnished our cabins from head to toe with their beautiful homeware items. We’ve even partnered with them to create our ‘shop the cabin collection’, boasting everything from fluffy towels to cosy blankets, to practical market bags and rustic milking stools.
77A The Mint, Rye TN31 7EW
Battle Brewery. Bottle Shop & Tap Room
A heavenly haven for those that like to drink their beer fresh from the source. Battle Brewery creates the finest natural vegan-friendly craft beers and traditional ales - with no harmful additives, filtration or chemicals.
Located just round the corner at Beech Farm, this wonderfully picturesque brewery is nestled in the most idyllic open countryside.
The Calf House, Beech Farm, North Trade Road, Battle, TN33 0HN
Dyke & Dean.
In our other lives as busy architects, we often recommend Dyke & Dean products in our projects, as well as showcasing lots of their accessories in our cabins. If you’re looking to add a little extra sparkle to your home, head on down to their friendly shop in Hastings.
14 Claremont, Hastings TN34 1HA
Eat + Drink
If your idea of a holiday is eating and drinking to your heart’s (or stomach’s) content,
then keep on reading….
From vineyards with English sparkling wines
to takeaway beers & fish and chips on the beach.
The Curlew - Bodiam
Listed in the prestigious Michelin Guide, The Curlew is perfect for those that don’t mind splashing out, or are celebrating a special occasion.
Behind this traditional clapboard façade lies a laid-back modern restaurant, with the menu boasting mouth-watering small plates and large sharing dishes that serve 3-4. The chefs combine modern cooking styles with a natural edge, with all fruit, veg and pork sourced from their very own smallholding. They even pickle, cure and preserve on-site!
The Curlew Restaurant, Junction Rd, Bodiam, TN32 5UY
Directions here (19 min drive)
Website here
Sedlescombe Organic Vineyard - Sedlescombe
As England’s oldest organic wine estate, Sedlescombe boasts an impressive 22 acres of organically certified vineyards.
Head to the on-site shop and winery and choose from an eclectic mix of dry whites, fruity reds and summery rosés, or book a tour and sample some of the finest wines the region has to offer.
Sedlescombe Organic, Hawkhurst Road, Cripps Corner, Robertsbridge, TN32 5SA
Directions here (14 min drive)
Website here
The Swan Inn - Lewes
A small pub with a big personality. We are suckers for the oldy-worldy vibes, fantastic beer selection, and lush green beer garden on a sunny day. Their vinyl selection is out of this world!
Lewes is an idyllic, thriving town and is definitely well worth the trip.
The Swan Inn, 30A Southover High St, Lewes BN7 1HU
Directions here (45 min drive)
Website here
The Crown Pub - Hastings
Seeking a cosy pub with award-winning craft beers, a friendly atmosphere and truly excellent food? This independently run free house in situated in the heart of Hastings Old Town, just a stone’s throw away from the iconic beach.
The Crown is the coolest pub around, frequented by some of the trendiest people in the south. They serve modern British food, made from only the very best locally sourced, seasonal ingredients.
The Crown, 64-66 All Saints' St, Hastings TN34 3BN
Directions here (24 min drive)
Website here
White Heart - Netherfield
A traditional country pub with a contemporary twist, The White Hart in Netherfield is owned by local farmers who are passionate about British agriculture. Settle down in the beer garden with a cold beer (or two!) and enjoy the stunning views over unspoilt Sussex countryside, or tuck into some hearty pub grub by the roaring fire.
White Heart, Darwell Hill, B2096, Netherfield, Battle, TN33 9QH
Directions here (6 min drive)
Website here
The Swan Inn - Dallington
Grab a pint of Harvey’s (the local ale) and settle in like a local at The Swan Inn. This country pub’s interior is effortlessly charming, with a vibrant beer garden that is just lovely in summer.
The Swann Inn, Dallington, B2096, Wood's Corner, Heathfield TN21 9LB
Directions here (10 min drive)
(No website - It’s a proper old school pub)
Maggie’s Fish & Chips - Hastings
Nestled right on the beach in Old Town Hastings and flanked by traditional fisherman’s huts, Maggie’s has been serving the best local fish and chips for over 30 years.
You can choose to take away and enjoy your chips on the beach, or dine in and admire the spectacular views from the first floor restaurant. Maggie’s fish is sourced directly from the market below, with specials changing according to each morning’s catch - maintaining a carbon footprint of less than 20 miles. You won’t get much fresher than that!
Maggies Fish & Chips, Fishmarket Road, Rock-A-Nore Road, Hastings, TN34 3DW
Directions here (22 min drive)
Website here
The Bell - Ticehurst
Listed in the Michelin Guide alongside some of the country’s most impressive culinary giants, The Bell in Ticehurst is well worth a visit.
With top hats as lampshades and tubas in the loos, this 16th Century coaching inn offers a quirky dining experience like no other. The menus are brimming with delicious, original dishes, calling upon exotic Asian influences; whilst the wine list features some of the finest magnums, jeroboams and imperials around.
The Bell In Ticehurst, High Street, Ticehurst, TN5 7AS
Directions here (25 min drive)
Website here
Activities
Uncover our top places to visit and things to do below. Most are not easily found on Google,
so we’ll share some of Sussex’s best kept secrets with you…
From the best wild swimming spots to some secret architectural gems.
Boating & Wild Swimming - Barcombe Mills
We’ve been visiting Barcombe Mills since we were kids and can confirm that it’s still just at fun in your mid 30s! Park at the Anchor Inn pub and hire one of their traditional paddle boats to explore the serene River Ouse. Once you’ve found a suitably secluded spot, jump in! Drift back downstream and grab some tasty food at the pub, whilst watching the world go by.
The Anchor Inn, Anchor Lane, Barcombe, Lewes, BN8 5EA
Directions here (44 min drive)
Website here
Houses of Dungeness - Dungeness
Lurking in the shadow of Dungeness Nuclear Power Station, this growing collection of striking structures features some of the finest contemporary architecture in Britain. Pictured is ‘Prospect House’, which used to be owned by filmmaker Derek Jarman and arguably started the trend.
Photo by Lancevortex
Dungeness Rd, Dungeness, Romney Marsh TN29 9NE
Directions here (54 min drive)
Website here
Climb St Mary's Church Spire - Rye
The historic town of Rye is well worth a visit in it’s own right - however, there is one view of the town that you won’t find in any guide books…
Head to St Mary’s Church and ask to explore the tower. For just a small donation, you can climb through a 12th Century spire and uncover 360-degree panoramic views over the town and beyond.
St Mary’s Church, Church Square, Rye TN31 7HF
Directions here (36 min drive)
Website here
Batemans, Home of Rudyard Kipling -Burwash
This Jacobean beauty is the former home of Rudyard Kipling; an English journalist, short-story writer, poet, and novelist who was famed for The Jungle Book.
Batemans House & Gardens is now owned by the National Trust, with a fantastic on-site shop and café to complete the experience.
Photo by The National Trust.
Bateman's Ln, Burwash, Etchingham TN19 7DS
Directions here (17 min drive)
Website here
Hastings Pier by dRMM Architects - Hastings
Hastings Pier is a true architectural gem. Designed by renowned Victorian engineer Eugenius Birch, this 21st Century attraction has heritage and history at heart. Lately the experience has been somewhat ruined by the installation of a large number of life-sized golden animals (I know, right!?), but this sterling prize winning project is still impressive despite its temporary inhabitants.
Hastings Pier, 1-10 White Rock, Hastings TN34 1JY
Directions here (19 min drive)
Website here
Architects Website here
Camber Sands Beach - Camber
The beach at Camber is probably the South East’s worst kept secret - but it’s popular for a reason. It’s one of only a few full sand beaches on the Southern coast, backed by glorious golden sand dunes.
It can be very difficult to find parking in the summer unless you arrive early. We recommend parking at the western car park.
Photo by Oast House Archive and licensed under creative commons.
Western Carpark, Farm Ln, Camber, Rye TN31 7RB
Directions here (37 min drive)
Website here
Shop
Admittedly, our recommendations here are heavily focused towards homeware and interiors
- but we are architects after all!
Shop like an architect with our recommended range of interiors, furniture, styling, homewares and
lifestyle goods.
Rae Lifestyle - Rye
Searching for beautifully designed and elegant pieces for your home that are responsibly sourced from independent suppliers and craftspeople? Look no further than Rae Lifestyle.
We love Rae’s stunning pieces so much that we’ve furnished our cabins from head to toe with their beautiful homeware items. We’ve even partnered with them to create our ‘shop the cabin collection’, boasting everything from fluffy towels to cosy blankets, to practical market bags and rustic milking stools.
Rae Lifestyle, 77A The Mint, Rye TN31 7EW
Directions here (32 min drive)
Website here
Merchant & Mills - Rye
This fantastic fabric and sewing shop is situated in the heart of Rye. Founded in 2010 by designer Carolyn Denham and photographer Roderick Field, Merchant & Mills reminisces the ‘make do and mend’ attitude of years gone by, with a particular focus on high-quality materials and timeless designs.
Merchant & Mills, 14a Tower St, Rye, East Sussex, TN31 7AT
Directions here (35 min drive)
Website here
Dyke and Dean - Hastings
In our other lives as busy architects, we often recommend Dyke & Dean products in our projects, as well as showcasing lots of their accessories in our cabins. If you’re looking to add a little extra sparkle to your home, head on down to their friendly shop in Hastings.
14 Claremont, Hastings TN34 1HA
Directions here (21 min drive)
Website here
A.G. Hendy & Co - Hastings
We fell in love with this cabinet of curiosities from the moment it opened. Many of the first items of furniture and crockery in Cabin X were sourced from here and are still going strong!
A.G. Hendy & Co sells simple, honest and enduringly practical goods that are plastic free, eco-friendly, and guaranteed to stand the test of time. Discover vintage and contemporary equipment for the kitchen, scullery, pantry, and broom cupboard, alongside useful items and furnishings for the dining room, office and garden.
A.G.Hendy & Co. 36 High Street, Hastings TN34 3ER
Directions here (23 min drive)
Website here
Exercise
Fancy getting out and about in the countryside during your stay? Uncover some of the routes
we regularly walk, run and cycle along…
Planning your next park run or training towards a triathlon? Bring your bike or your running shoes … or both.
Walks & Hikes
Whether you’re planning a gentle stroll to the pub or a full day of hiking, we’ve walked these routes for over 30 years - so they come highly recommended.
Walk - Penhurst Loop (4.5km)
This pleasant circular robin walk starts at Penhurst Place, taking in some of the most spectacular countryside in the High Weald AONB.
Please note, you cannot park at the Retreat centre, so please be courteous when finding a suitable verge.
Directions to the walk here (8 min drive)
GPX for the walk here
Walk - To / From the Cabins to Battle (2.8km - approx. 40-60mins) *one way.
This walk takes you across the fields and along some quiet lanes to Battle, where you’ll find the most local pubs, restaurants, and attractions.
You can also take this route if you’d like to walk from Battle train station (+800m).
Directions here
Walk - Blackbrooks Wood & Follies at Brightling (5.2km)
This proper local’s walk encompasses a variety of different routes. On the drive over, keep your eyes peeled for ‘Mad Jack Fullers’ Follies.
Park at the triangle and venture down the hill into the enchanted Blackbrook Woods.
Directions to the walk here (12 min drive)
GPX for the walk here
Walk - Netherfield High Wood (Various Distances)
Park just off the road and follow the forestry track down into the fairy-tale like woods. From there, you can choose from a selection of routes - one of which will take you to Battle Brewery.
Directions here (5 min drive)
GPX coming soon
Running Routes
Choose from our recommended running routes for both road and trail. You can either view on Google maps, or download the .gpx file and load onto your Garmin or similar.
Road Running (6.4K) Catsfield via Freckly Hollow
The first part of this running route follows a relatively busy A Road, so is only advised for relatively confident road runners. Once you turn down Freckly Hollow, the remainder of the run is along country lanes and pavements. Our favourite local loop.
See route on Google Maps here
GPX for the run here
