English Seaside Deluxe in Eastbourne: For a quintessential English seaside luxury hotel experience, look no further than The Grand Hotel, Eastbourne, part of The Elite Hotels group.Built in 1875 and nestling between the sea and the chalk downs of Beachy Head, The Grand maintains a respect for its Victorian and Edwardian heritage but with a […]
A Day in the Country – Cowdray
Exploring Cowdray – Polo and much more at Cowdray: Arriving at the magnificent Cowdray House, we drove through the gates flanked by two demi-gryphons, half eagle, half lion, each holding a millstone,(the crest of the Cowdray family) and up the sweeping driveway. It was something of a Brideshead moment and I can just imagine how […]
Historic Eastbourne – Fine English Heritage and Culture
A Cultured Seaside Resort – Eastbourne: A month or so ago, while I was busy working on another project, Adrian was lucky enough to spend a mid-week break exploring Eastbourne. It’s one of those places that really deserves a visit, not only because of the beaches, there’s so much more on offer. Here are just […]
Culture, Cannons and Cuisine in Eastbourne
Mid-Week Break in Eastbourne: Eastbourne has the reputation of being the prim maiden aunt of the south coast. It doesn’t have Brighton’s raffishness or Hastings’ artsy scene, but it does have extraordinary scenery on its doorstep and some hidden treasures which I’m hoping to uncover on this trip. If you are driving then you should stop […]
The Crab and Lobster in Sidlesham – Review
Crab and Lobster – Fabulous Dining and a Comfortable Stay: The Crab & Lobster hotel and restaurant is located in the picturesque village of Sidlesham near Chichester in West Sussex which has a history steeped in Saxon lore and Viking blood. The latest incarnation of the hostelry is 350 years old and is a rather lovely wooden […]
Live and Let Rye – A Day Out in 1066 Country
Rye, East Sussex – A Day Out in 1066 Country: I’ve been to Rye a couple of times but never really felt that I had enough time to explore properly, so it was great to be invited for a day out by the 1066 Country office, with my teenage son was coming along to give […]
Terroir in 1066 Country – Sedlescombe Organic Wines and More
Organic and Biodynamic Wines in Sussex – Sedlescombe Vineyard and Winery: A visit to Sussex these days isn’t complete without a vineyard tour. Sedlescombe, though, is something special as the UK’s oldest organic vineyard. Now it is also operated under biodynamic principles. The entrance from the road to the vineyard, a large gravelled car park, is […]
Conquests and Castles – 1066 Country
A Day Trip to 1066 Country – Bodiam Castle and Battle Abbey: Remember when you were five or six years old and you wanted to live in a castle. Perhaps like me, you wrote stories about being a princess and illustrated them. The castle that you drew probably looked something like Bodiam. Even from a […]
The Halfway Bridge, West Sussex
Traditional English Coaching Inn – The Halfway Bridge Lodsworth I traveled among unknown men, In lands beyond the sea: Nor England! Did I know till then What love I bore to thee. William Wordsworth Visiting places like Halfway Bridge in Lodsworth in Spring remind me just how beautiful the English countryside is. Those visitors to […]
A Day in the Country with Nokia and Great British Chefs
Nokia and Great British Chefs take to the road: A City girl with my heart in the country – I jumped at the chance to escape to the depths of Sussex for a day and learn how to cook with Josh Eggleton. Firmly in my diary for the following weekend, I woke up one sunny Sunday […]