Let Lewes Inspire You

Life is busy. Sometimes the daily hustle and bustle can feel suffocating if you are not allowed sufficient time to unwind! Maybe now is that time.

After a busy weekend, we decided to start our Monday by waking up in a charmingly decorating AirBnB in the Heart of Rural Sussex. Our previous night spent watching the talented James Arthur at The Brighton Centre! James Arthur used his awe-inspiring talent to take his audience on an emotional rollercoaster. Having faced mental health issues in the past, James has used his latest album to deliver a strong message on Mental Health! His show was incredible, but like most concerts, it left us with a long journey home in the dark. I find the drive home after a fun-filled evening slightly deflating. So this time we decided to extend our fun-filled adventure and spend the following day somewhere new... Lewes.

Although I was eager to start exploring Lewes, I was sure to make the most of our peaceful BnB. We sat by the window overlooking the park and ate our fresh berries and cranberry toast purchased by our hosts from the local bakery!

We stepped out our front door, map in hand, ready to wander the quirky streets of Lewes. Our first stop of the day was Southover Grange Gardens. Southover Grange Gardens date back to 1542 when William Newton and John Evelyn the diarist once roamed the grounds. The well-kept gardens act as an oasis of tranquillity for the townspeople. Flowing through the heart of the park is a human-made river, a vast array of daffodils crowd the grass either side of it. You'll hear the peaceful sound of gushing water from almost every corner of the park. We strolled around the delicately arranged flower beds and admired the intriguing sculptures with delight as we made our way to the exit.

While we ventured to the high street, it became understandable as to why this town got its name. 'Lewes' is derived from the old English word 'Hlaews', meaning 'Hills' or 'Mounds'. By the time we got to the high street, we had entered calf-trembling territory!

The high street holds a variety of pubs, restaurants and cafes, along with a perfect balance of independent stores, high street shops and charity shops. You can guarantee you will find something for everyone! Not only is Lewes well-equipped for the avid window-shopper, but it is also an Instagrammers playground! It's Olde worlde beauty gives it an abundance of effortless charm.

Lewes is also home to one of the oldest castles in England. It was built as a fortress following the Norman conquest of 1066. Tucked away down a side street it's tall norman motte certainly makes an impression, it was made to see and to be seen. Unfortunately, the castle is closed for viewing on Mondays. It seems that you can climb to the top of its keep for astounding panoramic views over Sussex. If you ever get the chance to do so, I'd love to see your photos!

Our next port of call revolved around food! Flint Owl Bakery is a popular destination among both locals and tourists. The Bakery's biggest seller is its naturally leavened bread, made using a starter or leaven that is over 45 years old and originates from the French Alps! However, Flint Owl Bakery already receives a lot of publicity, which I'm sure it is worthy of, but we wanted to support a nearby local business instead.

Opposite Flint Owl Bakery is a mini department store called 'Wickle'. Wickle is a treasure trove of quirky clothing, homeware, accessories, toys and gifts! At the back of the shop is a small yet fantastic mini cafe and eating area. This cafe serves organic coffee and master blended teas alongside delicious vegan/vegetarian treats and lunchtime meals. The Vegan menu was a large part of the appeal for me. My Salad wrap was out of this world! I cannot wait to revisit Lewes even if it's just for that wrap!

A quick visit to Lewes Health shop for some vegan snacks along with a drink by the riverside, and we were ready for some more exploring. Walking around the high street is a pleasure, especially in comparison to the previous days' busy streets of London and Brighton! You can't help but imagine the historical events that would have taken place on the cobbled streets, both good and bad.

Just past the rivers' bridge is Harveys Brewery. Although I'm not a fan of alcoholic beverages, the brewery was still a fascinating place to visit. It is the oldest brewery in Sussex, dating back to 1790. Using a blend of four local hops, water filtered through the Sussex Downs for over 30 years, and Harvey's unique 60-year-old yeast strain, Harvey's Best Bitter is the embodiment of Sussex.

While trying to navigate the windy roads, we stumbled upon a Polish Pottery Shop. Baltic Trader has been importing beautiful hand-decorated 'eyespot' stoneware from Boleslawiec in Poland since 1997. The shop is packed with Pottery, it's collective patterns make a huge aesthetically pleasing impact as you walk in.

We visited a few more independent stores, purchased some luxuriously scented organic soap and started to head back to our car. Our day in Lewes had been well spent, but as the sun began to set, we remembered the long journey home that lay ahead of us.

However, on our way, we stumbled upon something that soon became my favourite shop of the day. The wonder that is the Lewes Flea Market! Hosted in a grand Victorian-style building, Lewes Flea Market is full to the brim with antique treasures and oddities. It's two-floors contain a variety of items sure to pique your curiosity. Every nook and cranny holds something of value. There is even a wide variety of archaics hanging from the ceiling! I'm sure I could have walked around this shop multiple times, each time discovering something new! Although there are plenty of antique stores in the area I live, it was refreshing to find one so off-the-wall!

In conclusion, finding time to unwind and take care of yourself should be a vital part of our routine. I found my day in Lewes to be very therapeutic. We had no plans, no itinerary, just plenty of time and a sunny day! I thoroughly enjoyed taking the time to become familiar with somewhere new, and I hope this article inspires you to do the same thing!