Local Attractions
Lantern Cottage is within easy reach of the vast range of attractions that Sussex has to offer. Sussex is a county rich in heritage, places of natural beauty and culture (see the links below). We are situated just two minutes by car from the historic village of Ditchling, 10 minutes from the Hickstead International Showground, 15 minutes from Haywards Heath Bordehill Gardens, 20 minutes from Lewes Castle and Brighton with the famous Royal Pavilion and shops in The Lanes.
The South Downs National Park adjoins the property and there are numerous glorious local walks and cycle rides, the famous 19th century Jack & Jill windmills being less than three miles away. The surrounding area has several golf courses and horse riding is available locally.
Famous tourist attractions such as Hever Castle and Chartwell are within easy reach, as are Bluebell Steam Railway, Glyndebourne Opera House and several well-known National Trust gardens - Sheffield Park, Bateman’s and Wakehurst Place. The local villages of Clayton, Ditchling and Hurstpierpoint are all close by with the town of Burgess Hill also less than 3 miles away.
Hassocks station, only one mile away, is located on the main London to Brighton railway line giving our guests the opportunity to visit attractions a little further away. London is only 55 minutes and Gatwick Airport can be reached in just under 30 minutes.
Upon arrival, all guests are given a comprehensive information guide regarding places to visit, where to eat and local attractions.
Guests are offered off-road parking and we can also accommodate bicycles (at owner’s risk) and organise lifts to local places by arrangement.
Places to eat
The General/Café & Restaurant (¾ mile)
1 – 3, High Street, Ditchling, BN6 8SYThe Bull Pub/Restaurant ( ¾ mile)
2 High Street, Ditchling, BN6 8TAThe Jolly Sportsman Pub/Restaurant
Chapel Lane, East Chiltington, BN7 3BAThe Ginger Fox Pub/Restaurant
Muddlesworth Road, Henfield Road, Albourne, BN6 9EA
Things to do
Golf
On the outskirts of Ditchling, there is an extensive 18-hole golf course:
www.midsussexgolfclub.co.ukHot Air Ballooning
You can take to the skies in a hot air balloon at Hickstead:
(weather permitting)
www.hotair.co.uk/hicksteadHang Gliding / Paragliding
Try hang gliding and paragliding at exclusive sites with the Sussex Hang Gliding and Paragliding School: (weather permitting)
www.sussexhgpg.co.ukShow jumping
You can watch show jumping at Hickstead:
www.hickstead.co.ukPolo
There is polo at Cowdray Park:
www.cowdraypolo.co.uk
Horse racing
You can watch horse racing at nearby Plumpton or Brighton racecourses:
www.plumptonracecourse.co.uk
www.brighton-racecourse.co.uk
Horse-riding
If you want to go horse riding, try:
www.ditchlingcommonstud.co.uk
Places to go
The Bluebell Railway
On the border of East and West Sussex, enjoy The Bluebell Railway, which is an old-fashioned steam train that runs along one of England’s few remaining traditional country branch lines.
www.bluebell-railway.co.uk
The Royal Pavilion
The Royal Pavilion is the former seaside residence of King George IV in Brighton.
www.royalpavilion.org.ukArundel Castle
Arundel Castle is the ancient seat of the Duke of Norfolk, which has 40 acres of gardens and grounds.
www.arundelcastle.orgStoneywish Nature Reserve
A former dairy farm just below the South Downs, Stoneywish is now a 50 acre haven for birds and wildlife with an abundance of wildflowers. There is a Shaker-style herb garden, animals and a large children's play area.
www.stoneywish.com/Washbrooks Family Farm
The farm makes a great day out whatever the weather, as young children can meet all their favourite farm animals or play in the indoor and outdoor play areas. Their tearoom serves good home cooked food.
www.washbrooks.co.uk/Drusilla's
A zoo (and lots more besides!), Drusilla’s is listed 12th in the Sunday Times 50 Best Days out in Britain.
www.drusillas.co.uk/Bentley Wildfowl & Motor Museum
About 125 different species can be seen from varied pathways through the 23 acres wildfowl reserve, together with cars of every era.
www.bentley.org.uk/Sheffield Park Gardens
A National Trust property with stunning flora and fawna. The gardens were laid out in the 18th century by 'Capability' Brown and further developed in the early 20th century by its owner, Arthur G. Soames.
www.nationaltrust.org.uk/main/w-sheffieldparkgardenBrighton Beach/ Shoreham Beach
At Brighton beach there is plenty to do and see: Brighton pier, the Merry-go-round, strolling along the front and sitting in deck chairs. Shoreham Beach is better for swimming and less populated than Brighton.
Shopping
Hurstpierpoint
There are two or three quality ladies boutiques, a good cook shop and a couple of gift/ present shops. This is somewhere to go if you fancy a quick shop!Lewes
Lewes is a lovely shopping centre, with some wonderful clothes shops and cook shops. It is an antiques centre and has several antiques shops that are well worth a look. We recommend Bill’s restaurant for lunch, where the food is absolutely delicious and very healthy (if you skip pudding!!)Brighton
A place to shop until you drop! The High Street shops (M&S, Debenhams etc.) are located along Western Road and in the Churchill Shopping Centre (90 shops!). The North Laines offer a range of independent and quirky boutiques that are popular with young folk, while The Lanes offer upmarket ladies clothes shops, antiques and jewellery shops.
Music, Art & Literature
Glyndebourne
The world famous Opera house is a wonderful experience, as Glyndebourne attracts world-class performers and is set in beautiful Sussex countryside. You will need to book well in advance.
www.glyndebourne.comThe Brighton Festival
Experience contemporary dance, music and theatre at the annual Brighton Festival.
www.brightonfestival.org
Charleston Farmhouse/ Monks House
The Bloomsbury Group lived in the area. You can visit Vanessa Bell’s inspirational, hand-decorated Charleston Farmhouse where literary events are often held, and Virginia Woolf’s Sussex home, Monks House, now in the care of The National Trust.
www.charleston.org.uk
www.nationaltrust.org.uk/main/w-monkshouse
Wine/ Ale tours
You can visit Harvey’s in Lewes, the oldest independent brewery in Sussex, and award-winning Ridgeview Wine Estate, both of which offer tasting tours and shops selling their tipples.
www.harveys.org.uk
www.ridgeview.co.uk