About Weather/Climate/Temperature

Micro Climate on Pevensey Bay - Mostly Sunny!

First, check the weather. Either look out the window, or at the weather station in the village www.pevbay.co.uk . For a forecast, the old Royal Observatory site across the marsh at Herstmonceux is usually more accurate than Eastbourne. www.metoffice.gov.uk/weather/uk/seherstmonceux_forecast_weather.html

About Transport

Fantastic Beach Opposite the House - local beaches

About Beaches

Entertainment

For children of all ages, multi-screen cinema near Asda, and the Sovereign Centre at the east end of the seafront houses an indoor leisure pool.

The Tourist Information Office in the main village car park (400m east along the beach,) will update you on all the local attractions and events in the area. Or use www.eastsussex.gov.uk/leisureandtourism/countryside/topattractions/default1.htm .

The De La Warr pavilion in Bexhill is a world famous Modernist building, recently restored and is well worth visiting for art exhibitions, performances and a tempting cafe. www.dlwp.com NB pronounced Delaware. The USA state of Delaware is named after the 3rd Baron De La Warr, who was the governor.

The new Towner Art Gallery in Eastbourne is a major exhibition space for large pieces of contemporary art. It also houses the original Towner collection, some of which looking a trifle lost in this new Modernist building. So new the website is still being built! www.eastbourne.gov.uk/leisure/museums-galleries/towner/

Eastbourne has four theatres www.eastbournetheatres.co.uk . Contact Tourist Information in the village or Eastbourne for current programmes.

Local Attractions

There is a selection of pamphlets for various attractions on the book case in the day sitting room.

Boat trips to the lighthouse are still a feature from Eastbourne beach, near the pier. Sample real seaside nostalgia with a trip to Beachy Head on the William Allchorn www.allchornpleasureboats.co.uk . Regrettably, Brian Allchorn, who could regale you with fantastic yarns, has retired, but the traditions live on.

There are load of windmills in Sussex, and many are open to the public, but check the opening times www.sussexmillsgroup.org.uk/ . Generally you will be shown round by a local enthusiast who will explain

the history and how it all works. Sometimes there are working, and will sell you the flour. Usually there is a cafe with home made cakes too.

Charleston Farmhouse, on the A27 between Polegate and Lewes, was the country retreat of the Bloomsbury set, being the home of Vanessa Bell and Duncan Grant. www.charleston.org.uk . After a tour of the house, where every wall or humble piece of furniture has been decorated, and the gardens, you can visit Middle Farm www.middlefarm.com , a little further towards Lewes along the A27. This is a working dairy farm where you can watch the Jersey cows being milked, and taste the cream in the cafe afterwards. It also has the National Cider and Perry Collection (some to take home). On the way home
you will also pass Drusilla’s Park, a well run family zoo and perennial favourite with small children and grand parents . www.drusillas.co.uk .

About General Entertainment

Entertainment

For children of all ages, multi-screen cinema near Asda, and the Sovereign Centre at the east end of the seafront houses an indoor leisure pool.

The Tourist Information Office in the main village car park (400m east along the beach,) will update you on all the local attractions and events in the area. Or use www.eastsussex.gov.uk/leisureandtourism/countryside/topattractions/default1.htm .

The De La Warr pavilion in Bexhill is a world famous Modernist building, recently restored and is well worth visiting for art exhibitions, performances and a tempting cafe. www.dlwp.com NB pronounced Delaware. The USA state of Delaware is named after the 3rd Baron De La Warr, who was the governor.

The new Towner Art Gallery in Eastbourne is a major exhibition space for large pieces of contemporary art. It also houses the original Towner collection, some of which looking a trifle lost in this new Modernist building. So new the website is still being built! www.eastbourne.gov.uk/leisure/museums-galleries/towner/

Eastbourne has four theatres www.eastbournetheatres.co.uk . Contact Tourist Information in the village or Eastbourne for current programmes.

Local Attractions

There is a selection of pamphlets for various attractions on the book case in the day sitting room.

Boat trips to the lighthouse are still a feature from Eastbourne beach, near the pier. Sample real seaside nostalgia with a trip to Beachy Head on the William Allchorn www.allchornpleasureboats.co.uk . Regrettably, Brian Allchorn, who could regale you with fantastic yarns, has retired, but the traditions live on.

There are load of windmills in Sussex, and many are open to the public, but check the opening times www.sussexmillsgroup.org.uk/ . Generally you will be shown round by a local enthusiast who will explain

the history and how it all works. Sometimes there are working, and will sell you the flour. Usually there is a cafe with home made cakes too.

Charleston Farmhouse, on the A27 between Polegate and Lewes, was the country retreat of the Bloomsbury set, being the home of Vanessa Bell and Duncan Grant. www.charleston.org.uk . After a tour of the house, where every wall or humble piece of furniture has been decorated, and the gardens, you can visit Middle Farm www.middlefarm.com , a little further towards Lewes along the A27. This is a working dairy farm where you can watch the Jersey cows being milked, and taste the cream in the cafe afterwards. It also has the National Cider and Perry Collection (some to take home). On the way home
you will also pass Drusilla’s Park, a well run family zoo and perennial favourite with small children and grand parents . www.drusillas.co.uk .

About Sailing

Sailing can be done from Pevensey or Eastbourne.

When the wind is up, the local kite surfers launch from the beach, and make a fine spectacle. Dinghies race from Pevensey Bay SC, halfway to the marina, and yachts are often out cruising or racing from the marina. The marina is a popular port for those cruising the English Channel, and you will see many French and Dutch yachts arriving and departing towards Hastings.

The cross you can see on the horizon is the Royal Sovereign lighthouse www.trinityhouse.co.uk/interactive/gallery/royal_sovereign.html . Beyond that are the main shipping lanes. All large ships use AIS (Automatic Identification System), using your laptop, you can identify the boats, and details of how fast they are going and where. www.marinetraffic.com/ais . Just select the appropriate map and zoom in. If you click on a boat symbol, a pop-up will give you more details than UK Borders Agency appear to have on hand!

If you have brought your own “floaty-thing”, including PWC (Personal Water Craft), power boat, sailing dinghy or sailboard - please observe the local bylaws on the beach sign 100m to the west of the house. They also apply to sea kayaks, canoes, and kites surfers, and more or less say “Don’t!”. If you are launching from here, please do not exceed your experience, as there is no lifeguard or coastguard watching over you. Ensure someone ashore knows where you are and when to call the Coastguard if you are overdue (Dial 999)

The beach is not trailer-friendly, and although you can get on to the beach at the top of Leyland Road, you will find it extremely hard going once you are on the shingle. If you are not used to launching off an open
beach, that too may present some unexpected issues! With a dinghy, you can approach Pevensey Bay Sailing Club www.pbsc.org.uk for temporary membership, but there are no slipway facilities nearby. See www.boat launch.co.uk for recommended launching points, particularly for PWCs. The Pevensey Bay Aqua Club used to be the haunt for amateur fishing, both boat and beach, but seems to be more of a social club now. www.pbac.co.uk

About Fishing

Please ask us for details of Fishing - can be done with the local fisherman from Hastings.

About Airport Information

South Downs close by

About Scenery/Beauty Spots

South Downs close by

About Local Restaurants

Eating Out
The Moorings (01323 741 511), the “Pub on the Beach”, 500m to the east, is very popular, and you can walk there and back.

The Castle Inn, the nearest pub, always sells out quickly, particularly Friday lunchtime when the local caught fish are eagerly sought by the locals. They buy a good proportion of their vegetables from the village allotment holders too. Harveys Beer now on tap!

There are also a good selection of take-aways’ in the village which are popular with people who drive out from Eastbourne, but nothing of particular merit.

For a quiet family friendly pub setting, we suggest Priory Court (01323 763150) near the East Gate of Pevensey Castle. After you turn right in front of the gateway, Priory Court’s car park is on your right.

Fusciardi’s Italian ice cream parlour/cafe on Eastbourne seafront 200m east of the pier is like a Fellini film set inside. Excellent coffee, light snacks for lunch and the ice cream flavours change every day. Park off the seafront for free, and explore this area of Eastbourne which includes the original pre-seaside fishing hamlet.

For fish and chips, eat in with your own wine, or takeaway, we recommend the fish and chip shop at Little Common. Follow the A259 to Hastings, and it is at the first roundabout after crossing the marsh. You will also note the Siam Thai restaurant, which we haven’t tried - yet.

The Hungry Monk at Jevington is probably the restaurant with the best “quality” reputation in the area. Good for a “special” meal out. Reservation essential. 01323 482178. www.hungrymonk.co.uk/

There are a selection of eateries at Sovereign Harbour, the marina to the east of Eastbourne. www.eastbourneharbour.com
 Thai Marina Restaurant 01323 470414
 Ganges (Indian) 01323 479988
 Simply Italian 01323 470911
Also a Harvester pub and a diverse selection of other bars and cafes.




East Sussex is noted for its country pubs. A few recommended for beer, food, and ambiance:-

The War-Bill-In-Tun - Warbleton (01435 830636) www.thewarbillintuninn.co.uk
The Bulls Head - Boreham Street (01323 831981) www.bullsheadborehamstreet.co.uk
The Eight Bells - Jevington (01323484442) www.8bellsonline.co.uk
The Gun - Gun Hill (01825 872361)
The Lamb - Hooe (01424 848649)
The Lamb - Wartling (01323 832116) www.lambinnwartling.co.uk
The Red Lion - Hooe (01424 892371)
The Six Bells - Chidingly (01825 872227)
The Tiger - East Dean (01323 423209) www.guardian.co.uk/lifeandstyle/2009/jun/13/tiger-inn-east-dean-east-sussex

About Walking

You can also walk the length of Eastbourne seafront, from the marina to the foot of Beachy Head. The first refreshment point is Fusciardis Ice Cream Parlour, just before the pier, stay on the top tier after the pier to enjoy the ornamental gardens (on every postcard), before dropping back down at the iconic bandstand. After the Wish Tower (RNLI museum and cafe), it comes over all Victorian, and you expect to see nanny pushing a pram. Finally, find the cafe at Holywell, tucked in to hollow out of the wind. If some of your party are now too tired to walk back, the Dotto train runs along the seafront in the summer for such eventualities.

Walking over the South Downs can be a bracing experience, but on a sunny day, take plenty of water with you. Best starting points for sea views are from the foot of Beachy Head at the end of Eastbourne seafront, Birling Gap , Seven Sisters Country Park (Exceat Bridge), and Seaford Head.

If you want to walk with some objective, try Geocaching, hunting for hidden objects with the assistance of your hand-held GPS www.geocaching.com . There are nearly a million caches to find world-wide, and one of them is only 200m away along the beach.

Apart from the A27, this is a good area for cycling. You can head off in any direction except south! Don’t let your children take their bikes on the sand. The salt and sand will ruin them. There is a dedicated cycle track to Eastbourne, The Cuckoo Trail from Polegate, and waymarked rides across the marsh. www.eastsussex.gov.uk/leisureandtourism/countryside/cycling/guidesandmaps/ncn/ncr2.htm for suggested routes.

About Shopping

You can also walk the length of Eastbourne seafront, from the marina to the foot of Beachy Head. The first refreshment point is Fusciardis Ice Cream Parlour, just before the pier, stay on the top tier after the pier to enjoy the ornamental gardens (on every postcard), before dropping back down at the iconic bandstand. After the Wish Tower (RNLI museum and cafe), it comes over all Victorian, and you expect to see nanny pushing a pram. Finally, find the cafe at Holywell, tucked in to hollow out of the wind. If some of your party are now too tired to walk back, the Dotto train runs along the seafront in the summer for such eventualities.

Walking over the South Downs can be a bracing experience, but on a sunny day, take plenty of water with you. Best starting points for sea views are from the foot of Beachy Head at the end of Eastbourne seafront, Birling Gap , Seven Sisters Country Park (Exceat Bridge), and Seaford Head.

If you want to walk with some objective, try Geocaching, hunting for hidden objects with the assistance of your hand-held GPS www.geocaching.com . There are nearly a million caches to find world-wide, and one of them is only 200m away along the beach.

Apart from the A27, this is a good area for cycling. You can head off in any direction except south! Don’t let your children take their bikes on the sand. The salt and sand will ruin them. There is a dedicated cycle track to Eastbourne, The Cuckoo Trail from Polegate, and waymarked rides across the marsh. www.eastsussex.gov.uk/leisureandtourism/countryside/cycling/guidesandmaps/ncn/ncr2.htm for suggested routes.