'''Lewes''' is the county town of East Sussex.
Get in
By Train from London Victoria (70 min), Brighton (20 min) or Eastbourne, Hastings, ...
By Bus from Brighton (30 min), Eastbourne or Tunbridge Wells via Uckfield
Get around
Just walk. There is a town bus, but the place isn't really big enough to bother.
Lewes has probably the most parking attendants per a head in the UK, maybe even Europe, and therefore you WILL be caught if you incorrectly park your car, fines are also quite steep, if you plan to visit by car use one of the towns (surprisingly few) car parks, or have __40 or more spare. [http://www.lewes.gov.uk/transport/2315.asp/ Lewes District Council] have more information
See
This is the best place to celebrate Guy Fawkes night (5 Nov) (it is where the event started), with torchlit parades through town followed by fireworks displays by six local bonfire [http://www.lewesbonfirecouncil.org.uk/ societies]. The town is closed to traffic on Guy Fawkes night, and additional trains are laid on from Brighton.
Do
'''Lewes Castle'''
'''Anne-of-Cleves' House'''
Glyndebourne[http://www.glyndebourne.com/] is an internationally renowned opera house, just a few miles from Lewes. Enjoy great opera in a purpose built opera house situated in the grounds of an English stately home. The 80 minute intervals allow you to enjoy a picnic on the lawns.
'''Walking''' on the South Downs.
'''Southover Grange Gardens''' Southover Grange is a house built in 1572. It is not open to visitors, but has lovely gardens which are. Beautiful flowers and trees (including, at 350, one of the oldest mulberry trees in the country), and a knot garden with a fountain. The park is open from dawn to dusk all year round, and has a tea and ice-cream kiosk in the summer.
Buy
Lewes is rightly proud of being one of the least "modernised" towns in England. You'll find lots of small independent businesses here, and Lewes shops are particularly good for old women's clothing, art, second hand books and antiques. Almost opposite the castle entrance is Catlins [http://www.catlins.org.uk] an old fashioned sweet shop with a large range of loose sweet, fine chocolates, tobaccos and pipes. Not only has Lewes retained its historic atmosphere through its old shops and buildings but it also produces its own type of currency. The Lewes Pound. Historically the town produced its own notes and as a tradition it has continued to do so. The Lewes Pound is only valid in Lewes, nowhere else in the UK.
Eat
You'll find Indian, try newly opened Chaulas [http://www.chaulas.co.uk]), Chinese, Thai, Italian, and English restaurants. Most of the pubs do food including The Elephant & Castle, John Harvey Tavern [http://www.johnharveytavern.co.uk] and The Swan
Bills deli on Cliffe High St. always has a delicious menu, if expensive, for eating in and a range of produce to take home afterwards..
Drink
The night life is basically pubs and restaurants, but Brighton is 20 minutes away with all the night life that you probably came to avoid.
'''Harvey's bitter'''[http://www.harveys.org.uk/]. One of the oldest independent breweries is right in the middle of town. Sample their wares at the John Harvey Tavern [http://www.johnharveytavern.co.uk], or get take-aways from the Brewery shop on Cliffe high street. '''Fine wines''', too.
The Lewes Arms used to be the local pub for local people until it was bought out by Green King and stopped selling Harveys! Thankfully this has been re-introduced but the new owners have changed many things. The folk singers have moved to the Elephant & Castle which provides them with the function rooms on nights they need.
The 'Elly', Lansdown and John Harvey Tavern are all definately worth a visit if you're after a drink centrally.
[http://www.elephantandcastlelewes.co.uk]
Sleep
'''White Hart Hotel''', High Street, Lewes, BN7 1XE, +44 (0)1273 476694, The 16th Century White Hart Inn is charming, central and the service is moderate. Better value can be found at the Crown Hotel[http://www.crowninnlewes.co.uk] opposite or The Dorset [http://www.thedorsetlewes.com] down the hill at the end of Cliffe High Street.
Pelham House. aint Andrews Lane. 1273 488 600?.
Get out