Brighton: Day Trips

The best way to discover Brighton is to book onto a ‘Brighton Rocks!’ tour: www.brightonrocks-tours.com – some tickets are as cheap as £20 if booked in advance.

It includes return train fare from London Victoria station, an entertaining guided city tour, a full programme of activities, beach time, free time for shopping, an optional trip to the Devil’s Dyke view point/beauty spot on the South Downs, an organised evening meal (with live opera) and a pub tour. WOW! Nice way to spend a free day. Relaxing, chilled out, interesting, a good way of meeting new friends and escaping London. Local people can also join the tour/programme of activities from Brighton station.

They also do city tours, trips and events for people living in Brighton – including sunset/night country pub walks!

Visit  Jack and Jill, a pair of  windmills set high on a hill (only Jill is open). Check this website for opening dates and travel route.  http://www.jillwindmill.org.uk/JJWelc…Visit Jill when she is in sail (working) and the wind is strong.  It’s like being on a galleon.  A great experience.  While you’re there, walk along the South Downs (the local range of hills) for a while to enjoy some lovely views of coast and countryside.

The Blubell Railway  runs vintage steam train journeys.   It’s a great day out for children and, of course, railway enthusiasts.  The authentic trains and stations have often been used in filming period films and TV shows.  Sheffield Park station is about 45 minutes away by car.  Visit web page   http://www.bluebell-railway.co.uk/  for travel route and opening times.

The historic town of Lewes (10 miles east on the A27, or a 15 minute train journey) is worth a visit.   http://www.lewesonline.com/ is not the official local government website, but is very informative for visitors.   In Lewes you can see the house where Ann of Cleves (one of the wives of Henry VIII) lived, a Norman castle with fabulous views across the countryside, cobbled streets.  USA visitors can see where Thomas Paine sat and developed his ideas (it’s a bar – what else?). If you are visiting the area on November 5th (Firework Night) either stay away from Lewes, or get into town by mid-afternoon, and be prepared to be jammed in there until way past midnight.  Lewes’ Firework Night is a really special event.

South of Lewes, just off the road to Newhaven, is the house owned by Leonard andVirginia Woolf.  Fans of the authoress will be touched to see the summerhouse where she wrote her novels.  http://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/main/…

The family, friendly coastal resort of Littlehampton is 20 miles west and is well worth a visit.  Harbour Park is one of the most popular attractions there with traditional rides and attractions including The Water Chute, Adventure Golf, Panning for Gold and the Caterpillar Coaster. Indoor attractions include The Kingdom of fun and the interactive chicken show. The park borders on sand beaches, grass picnic areas and the working harbour and marina.  Across the River Arun is West Beach where you will find un spoilt sand dunes and rare plants and wild life. Visit Harbour Park for online discounts, directions and opening times.

• Brighton: Day Trips

January 31, 2013

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