west sussex

Stopham Vineyard Tours

steyning Brighton and Sussex , , , , ,

Stopham Vineyard Tours

Stopham Vineyard Tours are held on every other Saturday from April to October with optional lunch at the nearby White Hart Pub .. seen here in my photos ..

White Hart Pub Stopham Sussex

The vineyard, winery and wine tasting tours start at 11 am or 2 pm. Tours are led by the winemaker and last about 2 hours.

It costs £25 for the tour – an extra £17 for the two course lunch..

Details and booking at
https://www.stophamvineyard.co.uk

Pub Stopham Bridge West SussexAddress:
Stopham Vineyard Tours

Pulborough
West Sussex
RH20 1EE

+44 (0)1798 865666

You can travel there from Steyning on the 100 bus. This service is hourly and takes 30 minutes with an 8 minute walk. Alternatively you can drive there via the A283 in 25 minutes.

Read about 10 of my  favourite places in Sussex

 

Local pubs with a real fire

steyning Brighton and Sussex , ,

Looking for local pubs where you can snuggle up in front of the fire?

You won’t have far to go if you are staying at Rosebud Cottage! There are several pubs I can recommend in the cooler months.

fountain inn brighton sussex

All the pubs in Steyning High Street have open fires: The Star, The Chequer Inn and the White Horse …

A few miles away you can take a seat and warm your toes at the Fountain Inn in Ashurst – seen here in the photo.

Just what you need after a walk on the South Downs!

Take a Canal Trip?

steyning Brighton and Sussex , ,

Wey and Arun Canal Cruises

wey and arun canal sussex

Enjoy a leisurely cruise along the Wey and Arun canal starting from Loxwood .. a half an hour drive from Steyning. These usually take between 35 mins and an hour and a half
Trips in 2018 start on Saturday 31st March and run every Saturday, Sunday and Bank Holiday Monday until Sunday 28th October, except Easter Sunday & Monday.
There are also special Santa cruises each December .. including an evening cruise for adults (expect mulled wine and mince pies) Easter Bunny specials run each year too.
The cost is normally between £6 and £10 for adults and from £3 for children.

History

map: canal route london to the coast

In the 19th century it was possible to travel by boat from London to Littlehampton on the south coast  passing through Weybridge, Guildford, Pulborough and Arundel.

The route was via the rivers Wey and Arun, linked between by the 23-mile Wey and Arun Canal. This formed a vital link, the only one between the south coast and the river Thames, linking London and the English Channel.
Sadly the route fell into disuse when railways became established. Fortunately volunteers are now restoring the waterway…

 

Arundel – Just half an hour away!

steyning Brighton and Sussex , , ,

Arundel

I particularly recommend visiting the small town of Arundel –  just a half an hour drive from Steyning. This famous West Sussex market town is most well-known for its 11th century Castle and its Victorian gothic cathedral.

There are nearly 1,000 years of history at the castle, situated in magnificent grounds overlooking the River Arun. It was built at the end of the 11th century by Roger de Montgomery. The oldest features are the motte and the gatehouse. The motte is an artificial mound, over 100 feet high from the dry moat, and was constructed in 1068.

The castle is open from Good Friday to the end of October on Tuesdays to Sundays, May Bank Holiday Mondays & August Mondays. Admission costs: Adults £9 (gardens) to £18; Seniors £9 to £15.50; Children £9.

arundel castle south downs sussex

You can visit the cathedral at any time of year and admission is free.

Explore more of the area’s history and heritage at Arundel Museum or look at the town from a different perspective at the Arundel Jailhouse and Ghost Experience!

If you enjoy art you will be happy at one of the superb galleries. Interested in antiques? You’ll find plenty of shops with collectables.

If shopping is your ‘bag’ then you’ll enjoy the wide range of contemporary and traditional independent shops.

Water enthusiasts can hire a rowing boat on Swanbourne Lake or take a boat trips on the River Arun.  If you love nature I particularly recommend a visit to the  Wetland Centre.
Perhaps you will just want to relax in one of the many cafes, bars and restaurants or in a traditional English pub!
Read more about places to visit locally my ‘Local Top 10’

 

 

Bramber & St Mary’s House

steyning Brighton and Sussex , , ,
Bramber & St Mary’s House

Bramber is just a mile from Steyning!

I recommend spending time there and visiting the house and gardens at 15th century St Mary’s. This timber framed building was constructed around 1470 by the bishop of Winchester.  At that time pilgrims used the house as an inn on their way to the tomb of St Thomas of Canterbury.

The house is open from the end of April to 28 Sept 2017 on Sundays, Thursdays and Bank Holiday Mondays (& Wednesdays in August) from 2 – 6 p.m.

Entry costs: Adults £10; Concessions £9; Children £5

There are also some lovely cottage style tea rooms.

 

St-Marys-Bramber-sussex

Read more about St Mary’s House

Find out more about other local places to visit

 

 

 

The George at Burpham!

Jenny Brighton and Sussex , , , 0 Comment
The George at Burpham!

A great place to call in on a walk

The George At Burpham is a unique 17th century inn. Burpham itself is a charming small village near Arundel in the South Downs National Park.

The pub has an inviting modern interior and serves seasonal, locally-sourced, freshly-cooked food, beers, wines and spirits.

It is locally owned and aims to live up to the ambition . . . “By the locals, for the locals, of the locals – and a very warm welcome to everyone.”. . .  including muddy-booted walkers and well-behaved dogs!

george at burpham sussex

They serve delicious British food  – always home cooked with the freshest seasonal ingredients, locally sourced where possible.

This pub is close to footpaths so is a good place to stop if you are hiking locally

Details at http://georgeatburpham.co.uk

Burpham is a 30 minute drive from Steyning in West Sussex.

The most spectacular medieval festival in the UK!

Jenny Brighton and Sussex , , , , 0 Comment
The most spectacular medieval festival in the UK!

Medieval Joust

The Loxwood Joust takes place at the enchanted Loxwood Meadow in the heart of the West Sussex countryside…This annual event takes place in mid August every year

You can buy tickets at the gate

You’ll find the festival at RH14 0AL on the B2133 road between Loxwood and Wisborough Green, 4 miles from Billingshurst.

Steyning is 10 miles from Brighton & within easy reach of Loxwood.