East Sussex England - Sights & Attractions

Yes, there is enough to keep you busy for two weeks. Royal Tunbridge Wells is only a 50 minute train ride to London so you could do a day trip to London. East Sussex and Kent is next to each other..in Sussex...there is Hastings Castle, the old towns and villages of Sussex, especially Rye and Winchelsea are more intriguing then the seaside resorts. The village of Alfriston is so lovely. Then there is Arundel Castle, and there is Brighton. In Kent.....in Canterbury there is Canterbury Cathedral, The Canterbury Tales museum and St. Augustine's Abbey..Sissinghurst Castle & Garden, Knole~one of the largest private houses of England...Hever Castle & Gardens...Penhurst Place.....Leeds Castle...Cartwell House home of Winston Churchill..Dover Castle..Deal Castle..Down House home of Charles Darwin.........................If you go to Sissinghurst (about 13 miles from Tunbridge Wells) you should go to Smarden (5 miles) to The Bell Pubhttp://www.shepherd-neame.co.uk/pubs/pubs.php/bell_smardenthey have great food, we eat there everytime we are in Smarden visiting friends.

Robin's list is excellent: tons of villages spread around Esat and West Sussex and Kent- you should have a car to get the best out of it. Leeds Castle is toursisty but very informative; i like the moated castles and houses in Kent- hever; Rye is great for at least a whole afternoon, we like Midhurst, great little village and the Spread Eagle hotel (and restaurant) are highly regarded- and deserve it. there is also that little town called London within an easy train ride. Kent- oast houses and hops, and English wine

Three more sites for your list: Battle Abbey, Bodiam Castle, Igtham Mote (ancient manor house-read Green Darkness by Anna Seton before you visit).

Bodiam Castle and Ightam Mote- I was trying to think of those- excellent. Thoroughly endorse if you are into the idea of ancient moated casetles or manor houses

... and the gardens, and The Great Brighton Run ... and the Seven Sisters ... and village cricket ... ¶ By the way, Kerry, what sort of things do you like to do?

Nigel, I love to see beautiful architecture, formal gardens,imposing castles, medieval towns, quaint villages, pretty seaside towns, dramatic coasts. I'm not really into museums, I prefer to be outside. I am a "sucker" for anything beautiful or exotic! Major sights are nice, but off the beaten path can be even nicer. I really appreciate EVERYONES responses. They are wonderful, and I'm creating a rough list of all your suggestions! Please feel free to keep them coming. Am I near Dover? Should I take the chunnel to Calais? How about the Channel Islands, are they worth visiting? What are your favorite beaches in Kent? Is Brighton nice?

If you have a car combine a visit to Chichester with the Weald and Downland Open Air Museum. Apart from being in a lovely setting the opportunity to explore old houses which have been rescued from demolition. The one thing that struck me was that folks living in those houses must have smelt of wood smoke, it permeates everything. I suppose it may have covered up more disagreeable smells! There are also things like cooking and falconry displays. One of my favourite days out. http://www.wealddown.co.uk/home-page-english.htm As others have said there are too many places large and small to list. Links for some of them. For National Trust properties http://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/main/w-global/w-localtoyou/w-south_east.htm For English Heritage properties http://www.english-heritage.org.uk/daysout/southeast/ You might want to consider buying a Great British Heritage Pass. If you are going to be out and about it could save you quite a bit. Only available to overseas visitors. http://www.visitbritain.com/en/Travel-tips/Britain-for-kids-and-families/Great-British-Family-Heritage-Pass.htm

Dover is about 60 miles from Royal Tundridge Wells. Yes, Brighton is nice.

We will have a car; but we are not sure how comfortable we will be driving in England on the wrong side of the car AND road! We've never attempted this before. I have no idea how difficult this adjustment will be. We probably won't want to drive into any cities, but I guess the countryside is okay.

Yes, you could easily take a day trip or overnight for only £44 driving to Calais and Nord on an overnight fare with Eurotunnel. Just remember to change sides of the road when leaving the tunnel. Very easy.

Driving in England is easier when you are following other traffic- sometimes when you get on the really s\mall country roads with no center line you could drift onto the wrong side. I found however that the speeds are slow and English drivers are quite good at climbing up the banks on the side of the road to avoid me. Absolute key though is to have a good map reader who can make dinstant decisions on which road/alley to take. Enjoy

Brian, my fear is reaching an intersection where you need to turn right (from the left side) and there's oncoming traffic, and it being very odd and confusing. I agree it will be easiest just to follow the guy in front of you! But what if he's not going where we want to go????

Kerry, it's not "the wrong side of the road" that they drive on in Britain, it's the "other side" of the road.

Kerry, after driving for an hour or a little longer you will feel comfortable driving, it's actually fun. When you get to a round about, remember the cars in the round about have the right away, you can go around as many times as you need until you know which exit you want.

I love this part of England, and we have been there many times. The suggestions are great. Royal Tunbridge Wells is a very nice town. I could easily spend more than 2 weeks in this area. The first time we went this direction is when we learned about William the Conquerer and the Bayeux tapestry - 1066 country. Walk the battlefield in Battle.

We are definetly willing to give driving in England a try. Thanks for all your advice, it's reassuring. Too bad I can't practive driving on the "other side" of the road here!

Oh, by the way, after getting such great feedback from all of you, I have agreed to a two week home exchange in Tunbridge Wells from August 3 - 16, 2011. I have plenty of time to plan, which I enjoy doing immensely!

Kerry, I lived in London for a year and drove to work every day (not in the city center). What I found most helpful was to keep saying to myself, as the driver, "stay close to the center line." If the road isn't divided, just think about the center. That will keep you from drifting. I agree with the recommendations made by previous posters and would elaborate a little on Dover. There's a castle, Roman ruins, and an ancient lighthouse - - all worth seeing. BTW, we think house-exchanging is a great way to travel.

Thanks Rosalyn, Home Exchange is wonderful!! You not only get to live in a local's home, but you get to know them and oftentimes their friends and families while you are living in their home. They are all a wealth of good information when it comes to what to see, what to eat, how to get around, etc...Not too mention the money you save on accomodations. The home I am exchanging for in East Sussex is an 8 bedroom home on 15 acres with pool, tennis court, and stables on 15 acres. It kinda beats a hotel room for my family of five, eh? It's far bigger than we need, but who am I to complain!

... guess you won't meet the neighbors much this time then, eh? ...

Perhaps only the horses, Nigel.

Kerry, do you need any company :)?

Funny you should ask. If it were up to me, I'd invite everyone I know to join us; but my husband told me if I invite anyone he'll kill me! I'm kind of the "the more the merrier type" and he's more of the "less is more" type!