Our farm cottages are located one mile from the historic county town of Lewes, eight miles from cosmopolitan Brighton and London-Victoria is one hour by train. We are within reach of many popular amenities such as; the Royal pavilion and Palace Pier, theatres and amusement for all walks of life at Brighton, Anne of Cleeves House and the castle at Lewes, the Lavender Line and Bluebell Steam Railways, Druscillas Zoo at Alfriston, The South Down Way and Ouse Valley Way, Stanmer Park, Hickstead equine events, Plumpton Racecourse, the Bloomsbury trail, Glyndebourne Opera House, a huge selection of gardens and stately houses, including Nymans, Leonardslee, Batemans, Sheffield Park, Wakehurst Place and the Millennium seed bank, Firle Place and Glynde Place among many others.
Food
Two supermarkets Safeway and Tesco (24 hr) and many interesting
private food stores can be found in Lewes. On the first Saturday in the
month the popular Farmer’s Market is held in Cliffe Precinct.
We have a wide variety of restaurants and Pubs in the nearby villages
and in Lewes catering for every taste. The nearest is in walking distance
at the end of the drive.
A full list of options can be found in the houses for visitors to persue.
Offham is very well placed for visitors; we have numerous
attractions in the area for those wanting sightseeing and an active holiday,
some of which are described below. We also have the perfect setting for
a peaceful holiday in our quiet valley, with beautiful walks, fantastic
riding and fishing on our own farm.
The Southdowns Way passes the edge of the farm on its way from Winchester
via Ditchling Beacon to Lewes and on to Eastbourne.
For keen walkers and cyclists there are well-managed trails including the Southdowns Way, the Sussex Heritage Coast routes and the Cuckoo trail from Heathfield to Eastbourne among many others.
Lewes
Here we are bathed in history, the county town of Sussex. The lovely
old town with it’s steep streets and narrow ancient alleys giving
tantalising glimpses of the surrounding downland. Lewes castle built
in Norman times stands sentinel over the interesting and unusual houses,
which have been built over many centuries, including the Anne of Cleeves
House museum. The river Ouse flows through the lower Cliffe area and
is spanned by a pretty bridge. Here in former times ships would arrive
from the port of Newhaven bringing goods and taking away local produce,
which made the town so prosperous. Lewes has two public swimming pools,
one indoor and a very popular outdoor “Pells pool”, which
is open in the summer months.
Glyndebourne
For those who enjoy opera Glyndebourne is only four miles away. The season
runs from mid May to the end of August.
Brighton
Cosmopolitan Brighton is only eight miles away with its seaside, marina
and pier, Royal pavilion and quaint “lanes” shopping. Brighton
festival takes place for three weeks in May. There are also numerous
restaurants, cinemas, bowling alley, and ice skating rink, clubs and
The Bloomsbury Trail
The well-known Charleston Farmhouse, Virginia Wolff's house at Rodmell
and the famous murals in Berwick church are four to seven miles distant.
Alfriston
Picturesque downland village with a strong history of smuggling, six
miles away, with many riverside walks, tea rooms and the first ever
National Trust Property.
Druscillas Park
Eight miles away is Druscillas Zoo, popular with adults and children
alike. There is a wide range of exotic animals, a miniature train and
a play park.
Steam Railways
The Bluebell Railway at Sheffield Park runs all the way to East Grinstead,
through Horsted Keynes. There is also a museum and it is open all year.
The Lavender Line at Isfield is only five miles distant; it offers short
rides and is open from March to December.
Eastbourne
Eastbourne and Beachy Head are 18 miles distant, between there and Lewes
are many lovely beaches. Managed by the National Trust are Cuckmere
Haven, part of the Seven Sisters Country Park and Birling Gap, which
are both very beautiful. Bicycle hire is available there.
Houses, Gardens and National Trust Properties
For those that enjoy visiting gardens and stately homes we are richly
provided. The following are all within 30 miles of our farm:
Glynde Place - four miles away, a wonderful Georgian stately home with
a notable collection of pictures, portraits, furniture and porcelain.
Chartwell, the former home of Sir Winston Churchill.
Bodiam Castle at Robertsbridge.
Bateman’s at Burwash, former home of Rudyard Kipling.
Nymans Gardens at Haywards Heath.
Scotney Castle and gardens at Lamberhurst.
Sheffield Park Gardens.
Sissinghurst Gardens created by Vita Sackville-West and her husband Harold Nicholson.
Wakehurst Place, near Haywards Heath, home to the Millennium seed bank and the country branch of Kew Gardens.
Bentley Wildfowl and Motor Museum at Uckfield.
Michelham Priory and Gardens near Hailsham.
Newhaven Fort.
Petworth House and Park.
Fishbourne Roman palace near Chichester.
Arundel castle.
Weald and Downland Open air Museum.
Pooh Corner on Ashdown Forest near Crowborough.
Racing
Plumpton racecourses is four miles distant and has fixtures from September
through to April. Other racecourses in the county include Brighton,
Fontwell Park and Goodwood.
Golf
There are a range of courses in the area including: Lewes Golf Club,
two miles, Mid Sussex at Plumpton, three miles, Pyecombe Golf Club,
six miles and the East Sussex National Course at Uckfield which is
seven miles distant.
France
Day trips to France are popular. It is possible to take the ferry from
Newhaven or Dover. Eurostar travels to Paris from Ashford.
- We look forward to welcoming you -
