Discover Lewes
Exploring Lewes on foot is one of the best ways of exploring this ancient town and enjoying its range of wonderful architecture, its parks and gardens, footpaths and scenic views.
Here are a few suggested rambles around the town, ideal for an early morning stroll or a early evening wander.
Maps area available in our hotel’s Reception to help you find your way around.
One of the most beautiful spots in the town are the Castle Grounds, with its beautiful old walled tilting ground, now used by the ancient Lewes Bowls Club (Saturday morning is the best time to see them ain action). An inspiring spot in all weathers. From the nearby grove of lime trees, you can gaze out across the valley to the downland where the famous Battle of Lewes was staged. You can buy a ticket to explore Lewes Castle, from whose topmost tower you can see the whole town spread out below you and the Barbican House Museum.
Retrace your steps back to the High Street and turn left or right.
Turn right and you’ll pass the house of dinosaur hunter Gideon Mantell, the premises of Reeves photographers (the oldest family photographic business in the world), the striking St. Michael’s church and Bull House, where the legendary radical Tom Paine lived. Turn left down the precipitous and picturesque Keere Street and you’ll see in front of you the grand Southover Grange and its gardens, one of the most peaceful spots in the town.
Turn left and you’ll be heading down the High Street towards the river.
You’ll see the grand Law Courts on your left, the old White Hart Hotel
on your right and further on the red-brick Town Hall and the wonderful angel on the top of the town’s war memorial. Take a moment to take in the classic view to the downs and spot the white obelisk of the Martyr’s Memorial on the hill. On your right, notice two grand houses once owned by E.P.Warren, who purchased one version of Rodin’s The Kiss that lived in the town for 33 years and is now in the Tate Modern.
Walk down until you reach the pedestrian precinct and the river. From the bridge you can see the wonderful Harvey’s Brewery and cross over it to explore the many interesting restaurants, antique stalls and shops of the Cliffe. If you’re feeling energetic enough when you reach the end, follow the road up Chapel Hill to the golf course above the chalk cliffs, from where you can see the town, the river and surrounding countryside.
To explore the town in more detail, purchase the Lewes Town Council’s official guide – ‘Historic Lewes and its Buildings’ by Colin Brent, which contains four guided walks.
Available from the
Lewes Tourist Information Centre
187 High Street, Lewes, East Sussex, BN7 2DE
Tel: 01273 483 448