Lady’s 17 Things to Do in Lewes, Sussex

Today I want to share my guide to things to do in Lewes with you. This under-the-radar town in East Sussex, England is home to a number of great attractions, including a historic castle, priory ruins, a house belonging to a wife of Henry VIII, and beautiful streets. There’s a wealth of things to do and see here, and Lewes is an easy day trip from London.

Things to Do in Lewes

Just over an hour south of the UK capital by train, Lewes is close to famous cities like Brighton but manages to make itself one of Sussex’s best-kept secrets.

I didn’t even know about it until I flipped through my copy of Frommer’s Best Day Trips From London and found myself intrigued by its mix of history, beauty, and proximity to London.

When I discovered that Lewes was not only one of the easiest day trips from London by train but also one of the best cheap day trips from London (I got advance train tickets for 5 pounds each way), I couldn’t resist visiting.

And when I did, I discovered a lot of the best things to do in Lewes. From castles to ruins, half-timbered bookshops to streets with views, there’s so much to do in Lewes it’s worth spending more than a day in town.

1. Walk Around the Streets and Twittens in Lewes

I have to start my list of things to do in Lewes with walking around the streets. From the high streets to the side streets, this town has something eye-catching around every corner.

For me, the biggest draw is the twittens. These narrow lanes form a network of picturesque alleyways running perpendicular to the High Street.

The twittens in Lewes date back to Anglo-Saxon times, and they’re packed with historic houses, unique details, and great views (Lewes is hilly).

The most famous twitten in Lewes is Keere Street. This cobbled street is packed with heritage homes and secret gardens.

Keere Street culminates in the Fifteenth Century Bookshop, a stunning yellow building with a half-timbered facade and an interior full of rare and collectable books. Swoon.

2. Visit Lewes Castle and the Museum of Sussex Archaeology

Next on my list of things to do in Lewes is visit Lewes Castle and the Museum of Sussex Archaeology. Perched on top of a hill, the medieval fortress dominates the town’s skyline and serves as a reminder of its long history.

Lewes Castle dates back to Norman times and features an impressive barbican gate and two castle mounds. Visitors can climb to the top for panoramic views across East Sussex and Brack Mount.

Next door, the Museum of Sussex Archaeology has prehistoric and medieval local artifacts, temporary exhibitions, a town model, and a short film visitors can watch to learn about the history of Lewes.

3. Take in the Views of Lewes

One of the most beautiful things to do in Lewes is take in the views. Due to the town’s hilly topography, great viewpoints abound throughout its streets.

There are scenic views from the castle, but there are beautiful ones of it, too. The mound between Lewes Priory and Lewes train station is worth the climb for its vistas of the towers.

Elsewhere in town, the views from Castle Gate are breathtaking. They show everything from greenery to houses in the opposite hills.

Other great views of Lewes include those from Southover Grange Gardens, the views across the River Ouse from Cliffe Bridge, and the view of the town from the top of Chapel Hill.

4. Go to Anne of Cleves House

Another of the best things to do in Lewes is visit the historic houses in town.

The first of them is Anne of Cleves House. This 16th-century timber-framed Wealden hall house was given to Anne of Cleves as as part of her divorce settlement from King Henry VIII in 1541.

While Anne never lived in the house, it’s a beautiful example of period architecture and its interiors feature atmospheric furnished rooms replete with timber beams. It also has a Tudor garden with traditional plants and a cafe.

5. Admire Bull House, Home of Thomas Paine

One of the best things to do in Lewes for lovers of American history is admire Bull House, the former home of Thomas Paine. This historic house in Lewes was where the revolutionary writer lived for six years between 1768 and 1774.

His writings, including the famous Common Sense pamphlet, provided intellectual inspiration for the American Revolution.

Bull House in Lewes is now the headquarters of the Sussex Archaeological Society, but visitors can admire its unique exterior on the High Street.

6. Go to The Round House in Lewes

One of the best things to do in Lewes for literature lovers is see The Round House. This Grade II-listed historic home is tucked away along an atmospheric pedestrian lane called Pipe Passage.

The Round House in Lewes was originally built as a windmill in 1802, so it has an unusual shape. Writer Virginia Woolf bought it in 1919 and there are commemorative plaques on its flint exterior.

7. Spot Fitzroy House in Lewes

One of the best things to do in Lewes for architecture lovers is see Fitzroy House.

This eye-catching Gothic Revival building at the head of the pedestrianized shopping area was designed by Sir George Gilbert Scott, the architect behind the famous hotel by St Pancras station in London.

Fitzroy House was built in 1862 as a memorial library in honor of Sir Henry Fitzroy, a long-serving member of parliament for Lewes. In 1897 it became the first public library in town, and it’s rumored to have been frequented by Virginia Woolf.

Today Fitzroy House is an events venue with an interior that features Scott’s signature curved arches, stone pillars, and decorative flourishes.

8. Stroll Through Southover Grange Gardens

One of the best things to do in Lewes for plant lovers is stroll through Southover Grange Gardens.

Once the private garden of the grange built by William Newton in 1542, this public green space is full of pretty paths, colorful flower beds, and peaceful benches.

There are sculptures dotted throughout, and there’s even a tulip tree that was planted by Queen Elizabeth II. The gardens have walls with arches made from stones from the ruins of Lewes Priory, too.

The lawns sit in front of Southover Grange, a stunning 16th-century manor house that’s now home to the Lewes Register Office.

9. Go Shopping in Lewes

Another of the best things to do in Lewes is shop. From bookshops to clothing stores and antiques shops, there’s something for everyone in this English town.

Many of the best shops in Lewes can be found on the High Street and Cliffe High Street. They’re both packed with independent shops (and restaurants, cafes, and coffee shops).

Highlights include bookshops like the Fifteenth Century Bookshop and Bags of Books, as well as lifestyle stores like Leadbetter & Good and From Victoria.

But perhaps the most unique shop in Lewes is Darcy Clothing. Located on a side street behind two eye-catching vintage cars, this shop sells accurate replicas of men’s clothing from the 16th century to the 1950s.

10. Eat at the Best Restaurants and Cafes in Lewes

Another of the top things to do in Lewes is eat at the town’s many restaurants and cafes. Lewes is famous for being home to the original Bill’s, a chain that’s now taken London and other parts of the UK by storm.

But there’s more to the town’s culinary scene. Places like Flint Owl Bakery are known for their cakes and sourdough, and Carafe Coffee Roasters serves some of the best coffee in Lewes.

11. Go to the Best Pubs in Lewes

Equally famous are the pubs in Lewes, of which there are many. The Lewes Arms is steeped in history and serves real ales and local food in its atmospheric rooms.

Other popular pubs in Lewes include The Snowdrop Inn, which is decorated with larger-than-life sculptures and has a beer garden. It has a great local vibe and serves classic dishes.

12. Go to Harvey’s Brewery in Lewes

In addition to pubs, Lewes is home to the oldest independent brewery in East Sussex. Sitting right on the River Ouse, Harvey’s Brewery is not only an institution, but also photogenic.

Harvey’s offers brewery tours (by arrangement) for those interested in how beer is made. There’s also a shop for those more interested in buying and consuming it.

13. Walk Through the Ruins of Lewes Priory

Another of the best things to do in Lewes is walk through the ruins of Lewes Priory. This former medieval Cluniac priory was founded by William de Warenne and his wife Gundrada in the 11th century on the site of a Saxon church dedicated to St Pancras.

Once one of the wealthiest monasteries in England, Lewes Priory was dissolved in November 1537 during Henry VIII’s reign. Now a Scheduled Ancient Monument, the Grade I-listed ruins of Lewes Priory are worth a wander.

There are signs up around the site with information about what the priory looked like in its heyday and how the monks lived.

14. Go to the Markets in Lewes

One of the most exciting things to do in Lewes is go to the markets. From the Flea Market to the Lewes Food Market, Lewes Craft Market, and Lewes Farmers’ Market, there’s no shortage of them to enjoy here.

They’re open on different days, so make sure to check before you go.

There are also permanent indoor markets like The Riverside on Cliffe Bridge. This complex has everything from a food hall to a cafe and a brasserie.

15. Take a Country Walk from Lewes

One of the top things to do in Lewes for lovers of the outdoors is to go for a country walk from Lewes. The town is at the heart of the South Downs National Park, and there are plenty of short and long circular and point-to-point walks in the area.

If you want a bigger walk, you can even get to the long-distance South Downs Way from Lewes. It’s just 2 miles (3.2 kilometers) from town and runs all the way from Winchester to Eastbourne.

16. Visit Lewes for Bonfire Night

If you like events and festivals, you’ll want to come for Bonfire Night in Lewes on November 5th. Lewes Bonfire is the largest and most famous Bonfire Night event in the UK. The town has even been called the bonfire capital of the world.

Every year on Guy Fawkes Day, Lewes fills with processions and fireworks displays to commemorate the uncovering of the Gunpowder Plot in 1605. Over 80,000 people attend this impressive spectacle each year.

17. Stay a Night in Lewes

Last on my list of things to do in Lewes is stay a night. Or two. There’s so much to take in here that it’s worth devoting some extra time to explore.

There are lots of great places to stay in Lewes, including The Shelleys, a heritage property established in 1588.

On the High Street, the White Hart Hotel is a historic coaching inn with Tudor origins that’s known for its connections to American history. There’s a blue plaque on the exterior stating Thomas Paine “here expounded his revolutionary politics”.

There are also great independent properties like the Tiny Cottage, which offers unique accommodation in the heart of town.

Best Things to Do in Lewes

I hope you’ve enjoyed this guide to things to do in Lewes. Beyond these, there are local attractions like Pells Pool and nearby National Trust properties like Monk’s House. The latter is a 16th-century cottage where Virginia Woolf lived from 1919.

But with all the excitement in town, I’m sure you’ll keep busy discovering the best of Lewes. Happy travels!

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