Top Things to do in East Sussex
What to do and see in East Sussex, England: The Best Historic Sites
Discover the best top things to do in East Sussex, United Kingdom including Kemptown, Preston Manor, St Bartholomews, St Helen's Church, Royal Pavilion, Great Dixter House & Gardens, St. Mary's Parish Church, Monk's House - National Trust, Charleston, Alfriston Clergy House.
Restaurants in East Sussex
1. Kemptown
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 451 reviews
Reviewed By juliehF4735UO - Greater London, United Kingdom
It is a mile walk from East Brighton Pier to the Marina where you will find shops, restaurants and bars. There is also a huge Asda there. The walk is along the coastline so you can see the sea, watch the Volks Electric Railway in action, or you can walk along the top road which also has great views.
2. Preston Manor
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 137 reviews
Preston Manor is a charming historic house, decorated and furnished in Edwardian style. Its elegant reception rooms and functional servants’ quarters reveal the ‘upstairs and downstairs’ of life at the manor. Admission tickets for Preston Manor must be booked in advance on our website. Christmas and New Year closure: Preston Manor’s last day of opening in 2020 will be Monday 21 December. It will remain closed until the spring of 2021. A reopening date will be confirmed nearer the time.
Reviewed By 4riddell
Written by Amelie in 4 Riddell Preston Manor is an outstanding Edwardian manor house filled with marvelous artifacts and objects belonging to Mr and Mrs Thomas Stanford being looked after by Mrs Storey. If you are interested in history and mansions this is the perfect place for you! Inside this majestic house there are 52 rooms including: the servants quarters, Mr and Mrs Thomas Standford's rooms, a sitting room, their kitchen and much more! It is a great experience for people of all ages!
3. St Bartholomews
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 147 reviews
Reviewed By Haircut1953 - Worthing, United Kingdom
This Parish Church is simply STUNNING! The building is open from 10 am weekdays with a close for lunch. The building, commissioned by a local Cleric in the mid 19th Century is absolutely UNIQUE and breathtaking. The Liturgy on Sunday at Solemn High Mass is beautiful and , coupled with music by Viennese composers from a very capable choir and organist has to be heard, the acoustic is SIMPLY BREATHTAKING! The Church , I am told, is the ONLY Parish Church in EUROPE to sing a full LATIN MASS EVERY WEEK! If you’re a fan of Anglo Catholic Mass at its very best then please take the time to visit or attend High Mass on Sunday at 11.00!
4. St Helen's Church
5. Royal Pavilion
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 8,133 reviews
The Royal Pavilion is an exotic palace in the centre of Brighton with a colourful history. Built as a seaside pleasure palace for King George IV, this historic house mixes Regency grandeur with the visual style of India and China. A Prince's Treasure - A spectacular loan from Her Majesty The Queen is currently on display at the Royal Pavilion until Autumn 2021. The culmination of a collaborative venture between Royal Collection Trust and the Royal Pavilion & Museums, over 120 remarkable decorative works of art that were originally commissioned by the Prince Regent, have been relocated from Buckingham Palace and re-united in their previous setting of the Royal Pavilion.
Reviewed By 596petev - East Sussex, United Kingdom
This place never disappoints Quirky magnificence Always take visiting friends here and even though been many times there is always something new to see as restoration is a continual work in progress I love the dining room dragon and peacocks totally unique xxxx
6. Great Dixter House & Gardens
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 619 reviews
Reviewed By siobhant673 - East Grinstead, United Kingdom
Lovely afternoon visiting the gardens, stunning plants, great place for ideas and also has a nursery, shop and tea shop with cake and sandwiches and great coffee. Well worth a visit to this little gem ❤️???????????? something for everyone from banana plants and succulents to artichokes and dahlias. Loved it. Allow up-to two hours for your visit. May be difficult for wheelchair users as paths are narrow. Toilet facilities were very good
7. St. Mary's Parish Church
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 791 reviews
For more than 900 years the Parish Church of Rye, dedicated to St Mary the Virgin, has dominated the hill on which the old town stands. Today, if you wish, you can climb the church tower where, from the top, you can see magnificent views of Rye and the surrounding countryside. St Mary's is open to visitors every day of the year, except for Christmas Day, from 9.15Am - 5.15Pm in summer and 9.15Am - 4.15Pm in winter. Admission to the church is FREE. The Visitor Centre stocks a good range of postcards, Christian greetings cards, prayer cards, books, gifts and Christian jewellery. The Tower, which is open every day (weather permitting) for a charge, has become a popular place for marriage proposals!
Reviewed By CharlesMilneAtkinson - Berlin, Germany
Well worth the very narrow stairs and ladders to get the best view of the town and particularly Rye Castle.
8. Monk's House - National Trust
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 205 reviews
The home of Leonard and Virginia Woolf featuring the writing room where she created some of her best known works. A small 17th century weatherboarded cottage and large garden, Monk's House was a gathering place for many Bloomsbury Group members. Set in the beautiful South Downs , it was more importantly, a retreat for Virginia Woolf who loved nothing more than striding out across the Downs.
Reviewed By vivendumuk - Brighton, United Kingdom
Monks house is a wonderful place to visit. The staff are friendly and knowledgable. The gardens are magnificent. The history of the house and it's famous owners and visitors is amazing. Top place to visit in Sussex
9. Charleston
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 452 reviews
Charleston is temporarily closed until further notice in line with official government advice to support efforts to contain the spread of COVID-19 (coronavirus). Charleston is a House, Garden and art gallery located in the South Downs National Park. Charleston also has a restaurant, The Threshing Barn, located in a newly restored 18th century barn. OPENING TIMES The Galleries, Garden and Threshing Barn Weds-Sunday 10am-5pm. House 1 March - 31 October Weds-Sunday 11:30am-5pm Sunday & BH 12-5pm 1 November - 28 February Weds-Sunday 11:30am-3pm. Charleston was the home and country meeting place of the writers, painters and intellectuals known as the Bloomsbury group. The interior was painted by the artists Duncan Grant and Vanessa Bell, and together with their collection forms a unique example of their decorative style.
Reviewed By outandaboutwithbob - Ringwood, United Kingdom
Always wanted to visit this stunning place and was one of the items on my bucket list , You will not be dissapointed if like me you are a follower of hidden arts , Do allow yourself plenty of time to relax and take into account the beautiful wall gardens during your visit , the tour of the house is with a guide who given their vast knowledge of the house and its occupants gives you and insite as to the way they lived durring this period of history (Blomsbury era )( quote of the day They Lived in Squares, painted in Circles , and Loved in Triangles ,) Questions were asked and the appropriate answers given although when you are first given a brief history it is said treat the place as if they have just step out so please do not touch the fragile items , yes you can see this in a lot of the rooms untill you get to the finale room the famous studio with its lovely light filled area and artist easels the only thing missing was the large amout of paint splashes on the floor , but that was only my observation , well done and will visit again soon Possibly not suitable for young children
10. Alfriston Clergy House
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 279 reviews
Reviewed By HollyWorton - Dorking, United Kingdom
I popped in just a half hour before closing, and I wish I had allowed more time. Both the house itself and the gardens are lovely. This is the first property that the National Trust acquired. The volunteers are very knowledgeable and happy to talk about this fascinating building that's full of history.
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