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Lewes

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Distance from the South Downs Way: Two to three miles depending on the direction

Lewes is between two to three miles from the South Downs Way, depending on the direction you are heading from, which should talk around 45-60 minutes to walk from, but is worth every step!

As the county town of East Sussex, Lewes enjoys an enviable location alongside the River Ouse surrounded by beautiful undulating countryside. The town is steeped in history and you don’t have to look too far to find it, especially Lewes castle which was built on the orders of William The Conqueror and dominates the town from its lofty position on the hillside. Anne of Cleves House, a gift from Henry VIII to his fourth wife, is also here along with several other sites of historical interest. There is so much to see that we would definitely recommend allowing some extra time to explore this fascinating place.

These days, Lewes has a very bohemian feel and is renowned for its many second-hand bookshops, the oldest of which is the 15th Century Bookshop. For lovers of real ale, Harveys Brewery is based here and runs tours by appointment only as well as having a shop so you can stock up on your favourite Sussex beers! There is also an excellent choice of accommodation and places to eat and drink, making Lewes the ideal place for an overnight stop or a weekend away.

Getting Here & Home Again

By Train & Bus

There are regular bus services to Lewes from Brighton a few miles to the south and Uckfield and Tunbridge Wells to the north (numbers 28, 29 & 29B).

There is a railway station at Lewes with direct trains to London Victoria (1 hour 10 mins), Brighton (15 miles ) and Eastbourne (20 mins).

By Car

Lewes is situated just off the A27 which runs parallel with the coast from Eastbourne to Portsmouth and gives easy access to the A27 heading north to the M25 and London, as well as being very close to the A26, connecting Lewes with Uckfield. There are several pay and display car parks in Lewes town centre.

Amenities

In Lewes, there is a great selection of pubs restaurants, shops (particularly second-hand book shops), banks, supermarkets and a post office. There is also an excellent tourist information centre in the centre of Lewes.