We are spending about 5 days in Kent and East Sussex this coming July. We've got 3 nights booked in Canterbury, from which we'll see Canterbury itself but also do some day tripping (Dover, etc) . Then we've got 2 nights in Hastings, from where we will see Seven Sisters and more of that area. We will be checking out of our Hastings hotel on a Friday morning and are flying home Saturday afternoon from LHR. Can anyone recommend a great way to spend Friday during the day and Friday night, even a bit of Saturday morning before we need to drop off our rental car at LHR? I feel like there are a lot of options but would love some input. I think we've ruled out Windsor and we don't necessarily want to bother with Stonehenge either. Highclere might have been nice since we love DA, but is not open to see on Friday or Saturday. Something less tourist would be great and preferable. There are so many charming villages but it gets a bit overwhelming. Sometimes when someone says, "go here" its easier to pull the trigger. We'd even be good with a really beautiful hotel that is enough just to relax and enjoy on its own if it has lovely grounds or close to an area to stroll The only caveat is that it is a reasonable distance to LHR ( like 2 hours or under) so we aren't stressed about returning the car. Thanks in advance for your recommendations.
Posted by
nomad
17 posts
How about Lewes? We are in the area now. Really enjoyed the town and it is an easy and enjoyable "stroll". The tourist office has a map of short and easy walks about town and along the downs. Our purpose in going there was to go to Charleston house and we loved it. https://www.charleston.org.uk
Posted by
Lincolnshire, UK
2926 posts
There is also Arundel with its castle, steep cobbled streets and Georgian and Victorian buildings. It has a good range of shops including antique shops.
Not far away from Arundel is the Weald and Downland Museum, which is one of the best open air museums with over 50 buildings dating from the C10-C19th. There is the market place area, the industrial area around the lake, the rural area with farm buildings and the woodland complete with a charcoal burners camp.
You really do get the feeling of walking back in time and could easily spend a full day here.
Heathrow is just under a two hour drive and the great advantage is that you approach from the south so avoiding the London sprawl.
Posted by
London
1205 posts
Lewes, Arundel, and the Weald and Downland Living Museum are all good options, as is Chichester (and the nearby Fishbourne Roman Palace- note only the floor mosaics have survived). However if you are trying to get closer to Heathrow, I might recommend heading north and staying somewhere like Tunbridge Wells with visits to places like Bodiam Castle, Sissinghurst Castle Garden, or Knole. This will roughly take you up the A21 to connect with the M25 which goes around towards Heathrow.
Posted by
Pennsylvania, USA
868 posts
Another vote for Lewes. It's a lovely town with lots of bookshops, antique markets, & restaurants. It's also very walkable. I second a visit to Charleston House!
Posted by
OP
11 posts
Thank-you all for these wonderful recommendations. I will take a look at all of these ideas.