Getting out and about to explore the stunning countryside and coasts of East Sussex is one of the best ways to spend your weekend. Along the way, you may spot some familiar sights.
This corner of the country is home to incredible scenery that has made it a favourite filming location for many films and TV shows.
Read on to discover five East Sussex filming locations and what you can enjoy in the local area.
1. Atonement and the Cuckmere Coastguard Cottages
The Cuckmere Coastguard Cottages in Lewes played an important role in the 2007 adaptation of Atonement, serving as the seaside home of the film’s protagonist, Robbie Turner.
Originally built in 1822 to help prevent smuggling, the cottages’ isolated location makes for the perfect day out. They sit right on the cliff edge, looking out over the Cuckmere Haven river mouth and the English Channel.
If you decide to visit, the area is ideal for a coastal walk. You can park nearby and enjoy a two-mile walk down to the cottages and the shingle beach.
The Cuckmere Inn, found a short distance inland, is the perfect place to stop for a well-deserved pub lunch or an afternoon drink, as it offers breathtaking views over the floodplains.
2. Grace and Lewes Victoria Hospital
The ITV crime drama Grace recently aired its fifth series and is already slated for a sixth. The show features John Simm as Detective Superintendent Roy Grace and is set in Brighton, where it’s mostly filmed.
However, the production also uses various locations across Sussex, including Lewes Victoria Hospital, which has featured a few times in the series, most notably in the first ever episode. The hospital’s traditional architecture and versatile spaces make it the perfect location for the show’s aesthetic.
While the hospital itself may not be the best place to visit, unless you’re in an emergency, there’s plenty to do in the surrounding area.
For example, Lewes Castle & Museum is only a 15-minute walk from the hospital. So, once you’ve taken your snaps of the as-seen-on-TV hospital, consider wandering down the High Street and taking in some of the local history.
3. Quadrophenia and Brighton Seafront
The Mods and Rockers of the 1960s were immortalised in the 1979 cult classic Quadrophenia.
The film captured the tensions between the two subcultures of the time and launched the careers of Phil Daniels, Ray Winstone, and Timothy Spall.
One of the most memorable scenes in the film is when the Mods and Rockers fight each other on Brighton Beach and then escape the police by running down Quadrophenia Alley.
The alley, near East Street, is now a shrine to Mod culture where you can buy memorabilia and old Mod-style clothing to really take you back to the riotous 60s.
4. Chitty Chitty Bang Bang and the Seven Sisters
If you spent your childhood watching Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, then you will no doubt recognise the Seven Sisters.
The white chalk cliffs served as the backdrop to the car’s first flight. Given the magical surrounding views, it’s no wonder the filmmakers chose to film there.
The area is a must-visit for walkers and nature lovers. You can start a walk from the Seven Sisters Country Park and follow the trails that give you amazing views of the entire coast, including Beachy Head in the distance.
For the perfect end to your day out, The Tiger Inn near Birling Gap is the ideal place to relax for a drink after walking along the dramatic cliff paths.
5. Foyle’s War and Hastings
Foyle’s War ran for eight series and portrayed the challenges of dealing with crime at home during the second world war.
While the programme used locations around the country, its main setting was Hastings, with its historic Old Town offering the ideal backdrop for the wartime era. You can find the house used as Foyle’s home on Croft Road, which is in the heart of the Old Town.
After visiting the filming locations, you might want to take the East Cliff Railway up to the country park for some incredible coastal views. Then, you can head down to explore the Old Town, which is famous for its fish and chips restaurants.
Of course, there’s always time for a drink, so make sure to visit the town’s many historic pubs, such as The Stag Inn.
Get in touch
Our team of independent financial advisers in Lewes is here to support you with managing your wealth so you can focus on making memories in East Sussex.
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.
All information is correct at the time of writing and is subject to change in the future.
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