A resource guide to Sussex, England. It features guides to the best accommodation, attractions, festivals, restaurants, shops, history and property.

2026: The Bell celebrates its 15th anniversary of reopening after restoration.
History: Originally a coaching inn built in 1560. Rudyard Kipling was a regular. I Rooms: Sixteen I Style: Eclectic I Owner: Richard & Roz Upton (2011) I Chef: Oliver Joyce I Menu: Jan 2026 I Garden: by Jo Thompson I Location: Between Tunbridge Wells & Hastings I Visit: Bewl Water, Wine Trail, Bedgebury I Rail: Wadhurst I Taxi: Time Busters
The Bell, High Street, Ticehurst, East Sussex,TN5 7AS map

Hastings - Food Hub of the South Coast
Hastings and St Leonards in East Sussex are rapidly becoming a premier food destination on the South Coast, blending a historic fishing heritage with creative dining. Hastings food options range from fish & chips (Maggie’s above the fish market),  pizzas (Imperial), gastropubs (The Crown), Mediterranean (coquina @ Hastings Contemporary) to Times rated fine dining (Lurys). West along the sea front St Leonards-on-Sea (est. 1828 as a resort) has food options range from pizzas (Dora’s), Fish (Boatyard) to Modern European (Bayte). Also funky beach cafes (Goat Ledge).
Local beers from Brewing Brothers and East Sussex Sparkling Wine tours. Hastings & St Leonards have a plentitude of antique & vintage shops, bookshop and galleries. 
We see that Time Out agrees with us too.
Stay: Best Hastings B&Bs or be pampered at Crafted, East Sussex’s new wellness hotel.
Best Hastings Bars I Best Hastings Cafes I Best Hastings Restaurants
Best St Leonards Bars I Best St Leonards Cafes I Best St Leonards Restaurants
Rail: Hourly trains from  London Victoria or Charing Cross to Hastings.

New East Sussex Vineyard Trail
This new trail (est. 2025) connects the vineyards of Charles Palmer, Mountfield, Oastbrook, Oxney, Sedlescombe and Tillingham, with wayfinding signage and a focus on cellar door experiences, wine tours, food, events, and vineyard stays. Exploring the vineyards and High Weald countryside by foot, bike or car. Located between the triangle of Tunbridge Wells, Rye & Hastings . Independent review. 
Rother Wine Triangle, East Sussex, England map

1 April: Great Dixter has opened for the 2026 season
Great Dixter was created by the gardener/garden writer Christopher Lloyd (1921-2006). 
It is now a Charitable Trust led by head gardener Fergus Garrett who first worked at Great Dixter in 1992.  Shop. Plant sales  Garden open April-October.
Great Dixter, Northiam, East Sussex, TN31 6PH map

21 April: Tulip Festival at Pashley Manor Gardens
Visit the annual Tulip Festival at Pashley Manor Gardens & see 48,000 tulips on display from late April to early May. The Garden was designed by the owners with the landscape architect  Anthony du Gard Pasley (1929-2009[) and opened to the public in 1992. It is 11 acres in size and is open annually from April to September. Sculpture Garden. Owners: Mr & Mrs Sellick.
Road: B2099 off the A21. Train: Ticehurst then taxi (Prue at Timebusters) 
Tulip Festival at Pashley Manor Gardens, Pashley Road, East Sussex, TN5 7HE map

Dec 2025: 90 Anniversary of the De La Warr Pavilion
In 1932 Herbrand Brassey Sackville, 9th Earl De La Warr (1900-1976) became the (socialist) Mayor of Bexhill. The Earl proposed building an entertainment hall on the former coastguard site behind the Colonnade. A competition was held to select the architects, which was won by  Serge Chermayeff (1900-1996) & Erich Mendelsohn (1887-1953).  Work began in January 1935 and it was opened by the Duke and Duchess of York on 12 December 1935. The above photo is of the opening night.
De La Warr Pavilion, Marina, Bexhill-on-Sea TN40 1DP map

Nov 2025: New Hotel & Members Club near Battle 
Formerly PowderMills Hotel, Crafted at Powdermills reopened in 2025 under the direction of Chris King and Limestone Capital. Today, it's a life-friendly hotel and members' club set within 78 acres of historic grounds in Battle, East Sussex, with 55 rooms, three private cottages, lakeside wellness, padel courts, restaurants, a pub, the Craft Barn, art studio and a year-round programme of experiences.

StayCrafted at PowderMills, Powdermill Lane, East Sussex, Battle TN33 0SP map

Oct 2025: October is the start of the cider making year. 
From now to November apples are harvested, milled and pressed. After several months in casks etc it is ready to be drunk from the following April. Kent & Sussex cider growers traditionally used dessert apples but new producers are adding West County cider apples to the mix. Interestingly Norman Hunt’s fam near Sedlescombe is one of last Sussex farms to grow cider apples (more info from our visit).
A History of Cider Kent Cider Producers  Sussex Cider Producers

2025: Middle Farm Celebrates 65 Years
Established in 1960, Middle Farm is one the oldest farm shops in the UK. Along with its famous farm shop it has its own butchers, a famous cider barn (100+ ciders & perrys), a tea room, a gift shop plus a plant shop. Owners: Pile family (The Story).
Middle Farm, Firle, West Firle, Lewes BN8 6LJ map

Aug 2025: The Bluebell Railway is 65 this month.
The Bluebell Railway celebrates its 65th anniversary with a special weekend marking over six decades of steam preservation. They will be showcasing their home fleet with multiple sets running on various journeys throughout the weekend. 
Bluebell Railway, Sheffield Park Station, Sheffield Park, Uckfield TN22 3QL map

27 March: New hotel opens in Alfriston
In 2024 The Signet Collection acquired Deans Place Hotel. It is relaunched this year as The Alfriston with 38 bedrooms, a brasserie, bar, spa and outdoor pool. All with views of the South Downs. The MD is Hector Ross (interview). Originally a manor farmhouse it is Grade II listed. The Alfriston, Seaford Road, Alfriston, BN26 5TW map

March 2025: i360 Tower reopens this month under new owners      
The observation tower stands at more than 450 feet at the landward end of the former West Pier. It is the world’s tallest, moving observation tower and was designed by Marks Barfield Architects of  LondonEye wheel fame. In 2025 it was acquired by Nightcap Ltd a local business.
Brighton i360 Tower, Lower Kings Road, BN1 2LN map

Feb 2025: New restaurant opens in Camber.
Harry’s, a new restaurant opens this month at The Gallivant. The chef is Mathew Harris (ex-head chef at Bibendum). It is named after the owner of The Gallivant Harry Cragoe more info
The Gallivant, New Lydd Road, Camber, Rye, TN31 7RB map

2025: The Grand Eastbourne is 150 years old this year. 
The Grand Hotel opened in 1875 on the seafront with 152 rooms. It is 400 feet wide and designed by Robert Knott Blessley (1833-1923) who was based in Eastbourne. Past visitors include Claude Debussy (in 1905) and Edward Elgar (in 1926).
The Grand, King Edward's Parade, Eastbourne, BN21 4EQ map