Tourist Attractions East Sussex, South England
A 230 Foot Chalk Man, Smugglers, Beachy Head and an Ancient Abbey
May 26, 2009
Whether visitors to East Sussex are looking for bracing walks along the clifftops with a little bit of Hollywood thrown in, a romantic 14th century castle, a cinque port with a long and bloody history of smuggling or a mysterious chalk man, East Sussex has it all.
Beachy Head, Eastbourne
Beachy Head near Eastbourne is a sheer cliff face which stands nearly 550 feet above the waves crashing against its base. The highest chalk sea cliff in Britain, Beach Head has featured in a number of films including, ‘The Living Daylights’, Robin Hood, Prince of Thieves and ‘Quadrophenia.
Beachy Head is the access point to the 100 mile long South Downs Way, a walking trail which showcases the South Downs National Park, but for the less enthusiastic, a number of shorter walks can be taken from the cliff top.
Built in the 14th century, Bodiam castle was a private residence. The castle was originally fortified to provide protection from French Invasion, but its defences were soon overtaken by advancements in military technology. The only time it saw action was during the Civil war, when its walls proved to be no protection against the artillery of the time. Bodiam remains, however, one of England’s most romantic castles and is a wonderful example of a moated castle of late medieval construction.
The exterior remains virtually intact and provides visitors with spectacular views from its ramparts. Guided tours are available on certain days during the summer period and visitors can explore the castle’s museum.
Rye, East Sussex
Rye is one of the Cinque Ports of England. Mermaid Street, a cobbled street within its ancient centre is often described as, ‘The loveliest street in England’. This cobbled street gets its name from the atmospheric Mermaid Inn, a hotel which was rebuilt in 1400! The Mermaid has hosted royalty in that time, including Queen Elizabeth the First and more recently Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother.
The Ypres tower holds a museum which gives visitors an insight into the long and dark history of smuggling in the area and the Heritage centre tells the story of the town itself.
Michelham Priory is owned by the Sussex Archaeological Society. The house dates back to 1229 when the Priory was established by Augustan monks who lived there until the Dissolution of the monasteries in the 16th century.
The Priory boasts beautiful gardens and has several attractions including a working forge, a rope museum, the Elizabethan Great Barn and an Iron Age centre. Regular events are held throughout the year such as the Game and Country fair, an Archaeological Activity Day and a Teddy Bear’s Picnic.
The Long Man of Wilmington, East Sussex
The Long Man of Wilmington, at 230 foot high and 235 foot wide is Europe’s largest representation of the human form. There are many theories as to how this giant human outline came to be on a hill not far from Eastbourne, but its origins are lost in the mists of time.
The outline of the figure, a giant holding two sticks or poles was originally made in the chalk soil, but was difficult to see at times. Today, he has been lined with concrete blocks which are regularly painted white to ensure that the Long Man can be seen from quite a distance. Visitors can walk up to the Long Man throughout the year, but are asked not to walk on the Long Man itself.
East Sussex Tourist Attractions (more)
Essex Tourist Attractions (more)
 |
