Help with my trip to Lewes for Bonfire Night

Posted by Geor (Seattle, Wa, USA) on 10/26/16 09:22 PM

Hi all:

I am scheduled to leave the USA this coming Wednesday in order to attend the Bonfire Night celebration in Lewes on Saturday, November 5. I have just received notice that there will be a strike by train conductors that weekend so the management of the railway company will not have their trains stop in Lewes from mid-day Saturday to mid-day Sunday. This has the potential to screw up my plans. My backup plan is to take an earlier train to Lewes which will stop in that town. Then, after the celebration has died down around midnight hire a taxi to get to Brighton where I will catch a National Express bus back to London. Can anyone see a problem with this plan? If the return trip buses are booked is it permissible to spend the night in a train station or bus station or do they close at night or are they merely covered platforms?

Thanks for your help. Any suggestions are welcome.

Geor(ge)

Posted by Alan

Brighton, UK

10/27/16 07:10 AM

1388 posts

Geor

The train station in Brighton is closed at night, and the bus station is simply an open space. Homeless people do sleep in shop doorways but I wouldn't advise it.

You might be better heading for somewhere like the Market Diner. It's open all night and only about five minutes from the bus station.

http://www.marketdinerbrighton.co.uk/

Alternatively, there are buses to London more or less hourly throughout the night. They take a lot of time and you need to change at Gatwick Airport but at least you are off the streets. You can book online and simply print out your ticket before you set off.

http://www.nationalexpress.com/home.aspx

The other problem I can foresee with your plan is that you may not be the only person who has thought of getting a taxi from Lewes! The strike might reduce numbers a bit but the town will still be packed, and the number of taxis is limited.

Good luck!

Alan

Posted by Geor OP

Seattle, Wa, USA

10/27/16 03:51 PM

449 posts

Hi Alan:

Thank you very much for your response. You provided much valuable information. Going to Bonfire Night in Lewes this year will be a challenge because of the transportation situation.

Best wishes from Seattle.

Geor(ge)

Posted by Alan

Brighton, UK

10/28/16 10:39 AM

1388 posts

Geor

It occurred to me this might be useful. It's the site of the biggest local taxi firm.

http://www.205205.com/

Also, Uber is launching in Brighton later today. The opinion in the local press is it's likely to be oversubscribed, but it might be another option.

It's beginning to get cool here. Wrap up warm!

Cheers

Alan

Posted by Geor OP

Seattle, Wa, USA

10/31/16 04:27 PM

449 posts

Hi Alan:

Thanks for your email. Since I don't want to leave things to chance I have made a booking at the Adastral Hotel in Hove. I figure that getting to Brighton/Hove by taxi will not be a problem. If the queue for the National Express bus back to London is short I might join it; I will forfeit my 100% payment to the hotel if I do this. However, if the line is long I will check into my room. I selected this hotel because it has decent ratings and because it claims to have 24 hour front desk service unlike several other places which I reviewed. Most likely I will spend the night in Brighton and spend some time exploring the city on Sunday. I would have preferred to visit Brighton in the summer but it is unclear when that will happen so I might as well take advantage of the situation and see it now.

Thanks for your help in this matter.

Geor(ge)