Holiday homes & rentals in Lewes

Holiday cottages and lettings in the charming town of Lewes offer something for all types of visitors. Plan a relaxing and engaging holiday for your family in this traditional market town.

Dining out around Lewes

The Pelham Inn on the town High Street is a traditional English pub, featuring burgers and other pub favourites in a relaxed, friendly atmosphere. There are vegetarian items on the menu to accommodate every taste. For families visiting the area, there is a fabulous Sunday roast dinner on offer that will make you feel right at home.

John Harvey Tavern is in Lewes situated next to the River Ouse and across from Harvey's Brewery. This venue features live music, wine specials on Wednesday, and Burger Night on Thursday. Sample hearty pub fare like the Cajun Chicken Burger and the Halloumi Red Pepper Burger.

If you're looking for a rustic chic venue with a "nose to tail" culinary philosophy, try the Limetree Kitchen. Take advantage of the small plates on offer to sample several of their unique, elegantly prepared dishes, Their gin kitchen offers many original gin and tonic drinks, along with a wide selection of craft beers and boutique wines.

Historical destinations in the town of Lewes

Lewes is the county town of Sussex with a long history, including the 1264 Battle of Lewes. Visitors today can immerse themselves in English history at Lewes Castle, open year round, featuring a stunning view of the surrounding area. The admission fee is quite reasonable and includes a special group price for families. Climb to the top of this 1000-year-old Norman style castle, built of limestone and flint blocks. A great way to get some exercise while exploring this national treasure! The gift shop and bookstore features books on local history and the archaeology of Sussex and the South Downs.

Another great place to spend an afternoon, especially in pleasant weather, is Priory Park. Once a group of French monks from Cluny lived here at the Priory of St. Pancras. All the monasteries in England were eventually eliminated in the Dissolution of the Monasteries in 1537. Information placques and signs direct today's visitors to follow the daily lives of the holy medieval residents.

The beautiful church building you visit today as The Church of St. John sub Castro was constructed in 1839. The intriguing fact about this church is that the original Saxon church was built in the 11th century on the even earlier site of a Roman fort. Visitors can walk among the gravesites and memorials, and see remnants of the ancient building incorporated in architect George Cheesman's Early English style structure.

Visiting local famous landmarks

British born 17th century American writer, philosopher, and political figure Thomas Paine once lived in Bull House, currently the home of the Sussex Archaeological Society. On weekends, this attractive timber house on the Lewes High Street is open for arranged tours at a nominal fee. Learn about Paine's work, often considered the intellectual inspiration for the American Revolution, and his association with the town of Lewes.

Wife of Henry the Eighth Anne of Cleves was given a house in Lewes as part of her annulment settlement in 1541. Visitors can now take in a museum display showing the everyday life in Tudor and Elizabethan times at the Anne of Cleves House Museum. One special feature at this venue is the exhibition of 16th century large machinery and weaponry making, including apparatus for creating cannons and wealden iron making.

Special events on the calendar

Visitors to Lewes holiday rentals during the first week in November will experience a living piece of English history in the Lewes Bonfire, the largest and most elaborately planned bonfire celebration in the UK. Coinciding with Guy Fawkes Night, a procession of colonial soldiers carry a banner commemorating the uncovering of the Gunpowder Plot in 1605. You won't forget the sight of burning tar barrels dragged through the streets of Lewes by members of the Lewes Borough Bonfire Society as part of this lively annual event.

If your visit to the charming town of Lewes falls in early July, don't miss the annual Patina Moving On Parade, celebrating the moving on of local school children from primary to secondary school. Schools from all over the area parade children's artwork through the streets in a colourful stream of banners and costumes. This is a real community event, fun for the entire family.

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