Lewes: A Historic Sussex Castle Town
Lewes is one of England’s oldest towns, with the ancient buildings and castle still standing. It even has its own local currency. The beautiful notes are used like gift vouchers. Only for independent shops and services, you pay and then receive your change in sterling.
The River Ouse makes for lovely walks, or pop to the monthly farmers’ market, for Sussex produce and fresh bread.
Not so good are 5th November celebrations. There are hazards of fireworks to animals. Bonfires are of particular concern for endangered hedgehogs who often hibernate in piles.
If you are going to light a bonfire, gently lift the base with broom handles, and shine a torch in, to check for sleeping hedgehogs. If it’s clear, light from one side only, so anything in the heap has a chance to escape.
Nearby Glyndebourne Opera House
Just outside Lewes, is Glyndebourne, one of England’s top opera houses, very near to Firle, one of England’s few privately-owned villages.
Known for its summer festival, Glyndebourne is set in beautiful grounds and an acoustic theatre, with many Londoners arriving on late-night trains to enjoy the music. The first performance in 1934 featured Mozart’s Le nozze di Figaro and Così fan tutte.
Herstmonceux Castle (our national observatory nearby)
Not far away is Herstmonceux Castle, which also houses in the grounds, the Royal Greenwich Observatory’s top telescopes for charting the planets. Visitors can view planets, star clusters and even the rings of Saturn in the right conditions.
