With its combination of stunning countryside, seaside villages, and market towns rich with history, East Sussex is the perfect place to enjoy a guided tour.
Whether you’re drawn to eerie legends, iconic landmarks, or hidden gems, the following tours offer a unique way to explore the area and uncover corners of East Sussex you’ve never seen before.
Read on to discover four of the best.
1. Enjoy a self-guided walking tour around Lewes with the VoiceMap app
If you want to uncover the history of Lewes at your own pace, a self-guided audio tour is a great way to explore without the constraints of a group.
With its cobbled lanes, crumbling castle, and bohemian atmosphere, Lewes is a treasure trove for history buffs, culture lovers, and curious wanderers alike.
The VoiceMap app offers two immersive self-guided tours of Lewes:
- The History of Eccentric Lewes – Beyond its medieval streets, hidden twittens (narrow alleyways), and old English churches, Lewes is an unusual and quirky market town. This tour uncovers its unexpected stories and peculiar past, offering a deeper look into what makes Lewes so unique.
- Historical Lewes – Step back in time to the medieval Cluniac Priory, a site as historically significant as Lewes Castle. Learn about its destruction during Henry VIII’s dissolution of the monasteries and explore the town’s medieval core, open spaces, and the banks of the Sussex Ouse.
VoiceMap tours allow you to explore at your own pace, pause whenever you like, and take detours along the way. The app provides turn-by-turn directions and GPS-triggered audio, ensuring you don’t miss anything and never lose your way.
Download the tour in advance to find the starting point and you can enjoy it without needing Wi-Fi or mobile data.
2. Discover the Brighton Story on a walking tour
The Brighton Story guided walking tour is the perfect way to uncover Brighton’s history, ensuring you cover both the iconic buildings that are the stuff of postcards and the hidden gems that you’d otherwise miss.
Starting near Brighton’s famous Palace Pier, you’ll walk through the city’s historic Old Town, passing everything from listed buildings to charming fisherman’s cottages, all the while hearing intriguing tales of murder and secret love.
From there, you’ll explore the famous Lanes, known for their jewellery shops and hidden alleyways, before finishing at the world-renowned Royal Pavilion.
Around every corner, you’ll catch a hidden detail of this vibrant city, and the guide’s deep knowledge makes this an unforgettable experience for both visitors and residents alike.
3. Get out into the country on a tour of the South Downs
The South Downs offers some of the most stunning countryside in the UK. Known for its past connections to smugglers, quaint villages, and breathtaking views, it’s the perfect place for a daytime excursion and a guided tour.
South Downs Tours offer guided journeys from a seasoned local. There are two main tours:
- The Back by Lunch Tour – This tour departs from Eastbourne in the morning and takes you to breathtaking coastal landmarks like Beachy Head, Birling Gap, and Seaford Head. Your guide will show you the best vantage points for spectacular views before heading inland to the historic village of Alfriston, known for its smuggling past and charming shops, cafés, and boutiques. The tour finishes with a winding drive back that takes you past the mystical, neolithic figure, the Long Man of Wilmington, before returning to Eastbourne.
- The Full Day Out Tour – This tour follows the same scenic coastal route as the shorter one before stopping at Seaford’s Splash Point. A reserved table awaits at a traditional Sussex country pub for lunch, then it’s back onto the Downs at Firle Beacon. The afternoon includes a stop at award-winning Middle Farm and more time to explore Alfriston, including the cathedral. The journey home also goes past the Long Man of Wilmington.
In addition to these, South Downs Tours also offers bespoke trips to smaller groups.
4. Get spooked out on a Ghost Tour of East Dean
East Dean is a picturesque village in the South Downs. It’s rich in history, folklore, and natural beauty.
With its traditional flint cottages and rolling landscapes, the village offers a glimpse into England’s past while remaining steeped in legend, making it the perfect place to hunt for ghosts.
The most famous ghost of the village is the Headless Horseman, believed to be the spirit of a smuggler beheaded by customs officers. His apparition is said to ride through the village on stormy nights, seeking revenge. Other legends tell of the Black Monk, who lures victims to their fate at Beachy Head, and the cries of condemned smugglers echoing in the wind.
You can find out about all this and more with East Dean Ghost Walks, who offer a range of spooky tours around the area.
Get in touch
Our team of independent financial advisers in Lewes is here to support you in achieving your long-term goals while ensuring you can enjoy life along the way.
To find out more, please get in touch by emailing us at financial@barwells-wealth.co.uk or by phone on 01273 086 311.
Please note
This article is for general information only and does not constitute advice. The information is aimed at retail clients only.
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