History Of The Sunshine Sussex Coast
08 October 2020
Sussex is the Little Miss Sunshine of the English travel guidebook. Think lovely landscapes, sheer seascapes and more sunshine than anywhere else in the UK! Sprawling medieval villages cosy up to striking coastlines, all befuddled with hide-and-seek smugglers’ coves.
When you’re not promenading along Eastbourne’s palm-fringed seafront, why not follow in the footsteps of conquerors? The Sunshine Sussex Coast is like catnip for the amateur historians amongst us! It's the perfect choice for your 2021 holiday!
The Sunshine Coast
We make Eastbourne our comfortable base during our mini-break on the Sussex Sunshine Coast; a knickerbocker glory of traditional arcade games and golden sands, sprinkled with a huge array of scrummy fish and chip kiosks.
We also get the chance to explore this postcard-perfect nook of England with visits to the quaint seaside town of Bexhill-on-Sea, the charming village of Alfriston and beautiful Great Dixter - all playing a scenic game of dot-to-dot along this sunny coast.
Of course, the (white, chalky) icing on the cake of the Sunshine Sussex Coast is Beachy Head. Windswept and wave-beaten, these famous sea cliffs are well with a visit. The candy-striped lighthouse dipped in sea spray creates a dramatic prelude as you gaze up the iconic chalk walls to a soaring height of over 160 metres! It used to be a port in the storm for smugglers, but don’t let that stop you from snatching some jaw-dropping holiday photos.
Rich With History
Beyond the sunshine and the shorelines, there is still time for a dive into the dramatic past of 1066 Country. Historical legends come together during our optional excursion to Rye and Hastings. Sitting pretty, astride a hilltop, the fortified town of Rye is a honey-pot brimming with character and the charms of a bygone era. Think curious passageways, postcard-worthy Tudor houses and meandering lanes.
Afterwards, we make our way to Hastings, forever synonymous with the Norman invasion, it boasts the remains of the first castle in England to be built by William the Conqueror - initially crafted as a wooden tower and then upgraded to stone after his victory at the Battle of Hastings (just imagine Kevin McCloud’s sly quips if this was on Grand Designs)! These days, tours are available to explore the ruins of the fortress and to find out more about the 1066 story.
See it for yourself
Fancy getting up close with the charms of Eastbourne & the Sussex Sunshine Coast? With return coach travel, four nights in Eastbourne with dinner and breakfast, evening entertainment, included excursions to Bexhill-on-Sea, Great Dixter, Beachy Head and Alfriston, plus the option of visiting Rye and Hastings, don’t miss out on selected dates in 2021.