Pevensey Guide Book
Pevensey Bay Food scene
Local food recommendations
Great pub, lovely food and gardens overlooking Pevensey Castle (5 min drive from beach house). Film nights outside on some Thursdays in the summer - eat or not, but do book.
The Royal Oak & Castle
High StreetGreat pub, lovely food and gardens overlooking Pevensey Castle (5 min drive from beach house). Film nights outside on some Thursdays in the summer - eat or not, but do book.
Fantastic Indian Restaurant in Pevensey Bay. Either eat in or take away/delivery. Locals' tip: Get a 20% takeaway discount if you pay with cash and collect.
7 locals recommend
Raipur Indian Restaurant
43-45 Eastbourne RdFantastic Indian Restaurant in Pevensey Bay. Either eat in or take away/delivery. Locals' tip: Get a 20% takeaway discount if you pay with cash and collect.
The Swan Fish and Chips, Pevensey - Excellent fish & chips cooked to order and the home-made tartar sauce is excellent!
Pre Order: T. 01323 767843 (5-10min drive from beach house - if tight on time; there is a closer fish & chip shop in Pevensey Bay, called Rosie's, but we prefer the Swan)
Address: The Swan Fish & Chips, Westham, Pevensey, East Sussex BN24 5LZ
Opening times:
Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday: 12 noon to 2.30 pm, and 5.00 pm to 9.00 pm;
Thursday, Friday and Saturday 12 noon to 10.00 pm.
The Swan has long been renowned for serving top quality traditional fresh fish and chips to take away.
How to find us: The Swan Fish and Chips is prominently situated on the corner of the junction of the B2191 Eastbourne Road (signposted to Eastbourne, and to the Pevensey and Westham Railway Station), the B2191 High Street, Westham (which leads to Pevensey Castle), and the B2247 Rattle Road which leads to Stone Cross.
Before the A27 by-pass was completed, Rattle Road and Westham High Street were part of the A27(T) and may still be shown as such on older maps.
Car parking: There is free on-street car parking very close to The Swan. We suggest parking in Pevensey Park Road, just across the mini-roundabout.
2 High St
2 High StreetThe Swan Fish and Chips, Pevensey - Excellent fish & chips cooked to order and the home-made tartar sauce is excellent!
Pre Order: T. 01323 767843 (5-10min drive from beach house - if tight on time; there is a closer fish & chip shop in Pevensey Bay, called Rosie's, but we prefer the Swan)
Address: The Swan Fish & Chips, Westham, Pevensey, East Sussex BN24 5LZ
Opening times:
Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday: 12 noon to 2.30 pm, and 5.00 pm to 9.00 pm;
Thursday, Friday and Saturday 12 noon to 10.00 pm.
The Swan has long been renowned for serving top quality traditional fresh fish and chips to take away.
How to find us: The Swan Fish and Chips is prominently situated on the corner of the junction of the B2191 Eastbourne Road (signposted to Eastbourne, and to the Pevensey and Westham Railway Station), the B2191 High Street, Westham (which leads to Pevensey Castle), and the B2247 Rattle Road which leads to Stone Cross.
Before the A27 by-pass was completed, Rattle Road and Westham High Street were part of the A27(T) and may still be shown as such on older maps.
Car parking: There is free on-street car parking very close to The Swan. We suggest parking in Pevensey Park Road, just across the mini-roundabout.
Chinese food - eat in or take-away. Order T. 01323 740928
4 North Road, Pevensey Bay, BN24 6AY
Happy Dragon
4 North RoadChinese food - eat in or take-away. Order T. 01323 740928
4 North Road, Pevensey Bay, BN24 6AY
Castle Cottage Tearoom
Right beside the east entrance of the Castle, booking recommended.
Open all day, every day, for food and drink (including popular fish and chips) and a terrace lawn garden right on the beach. (15 mins walk by beach or pavement)
10 locals recommend
Pevensey Bay Aqua Club
Sea RoadOpen all day, every day, for food and drink (including popular fish and chips) and a terrace lawn garden right on the beach. (15 mins walk by beach or pavement)
Sightseeing
River Cuckmere
Winding along the valley to the sea at Cuckmere Haven, the meanders of the River Cuckmere have been immortalised by artist Eric Ravilious and loved by paddle boarders and kayakers for its gentle waters and stunning views.
Pevensey Castle is worth a visit , the most part having free access, whether for a quick dog walk, a picnic or full sight-see of the inner keep ruins (English Heritage). If paying to enter the inner keep check if dogs allowed. You can walk to castle across the marshes (search 'Pevensey Bootfair' on map, park there on road for free and follow the footpath.) The Church to the west is the first built by the Normans; there is another to the East with a mural showing how the sea once covered the area around the castle.
46 locals recommend
Pevensey Castle
Castle RoadPevensey Castle is worth a visit , the most part having free access, whether for a quick dog walk, a picnic or full sight-see of the inner keep ruins (English Heritage). If paying to enter the inner keep check if dogs allowed. You can walk to castle across the marshes (search 'Pevensey Bootfair' on map, park there on road for free and follow the footpath.) The Church to the west is the first built by the Normans; there is another to the East with a mural showing how the sea once covered the area around the castle.
Just near the castle, this tiny place is packed with items of local interest. We went recently and stayed for an hour or so as the volunteer that day had plenty of interesting stories to tell! Free/donation
Pevensey Court House Museum & Gaol
High StreetJust near the castle, this tiny place is packed with items of local interest. We went recently and stayed for an hour or so as the volunteer that day had plenty of interesting stories to tell! Free/donation
The house is not open - unless there is a special event - but the gardens are lovely; walk to the very back to find a folly with a secret garden behind. For more walking find the footpaths at either side of the road entrance which take you on a circular route right around the castle and science centre grounds. Amongst the domed buildings at the road entrance is the interactive Science Centre.
76 locals recommend
Herstmonceux Castle
The house is not open - unless there is a special event - but the gardens are lovely; walk to the very back to find a folly with a secret garden behind. For more walking find the footpaths at either side of the road entrance which take you on a circular route right around the castle and science centre grounds. Amongst the domed buildings at the road entrance is the interactive Science Centre.
Sussex is home to some of the largest and most innovative vineyards and wineries in the UK - and most of them welcome visitors for tours, tastings, meals and even overnight accommodation. Discover some of the very best at the Sussex Modern website.
Vineyards
Sussex is home to some of the largest and most innovative vineyards and wineries in the UK - and most of them welcome visitors for tours, tastings, meals and even overnight accommodation. Discover some of the very best at the Sussex Modern website.
Winding along the valley to the sea at Cuckmere Haven, the meanders of the River Cuckmere have been immortalised by artist Eric Ravilious and loved by paddle boarders and kayakers for its gentle waters and stunning views.
Cuckmere River, United Kingdom
Winding along the valley to the sea at Cuckmere Haven, the meanders of the River Cuckmere have been immortalised by artist Eric Ravilious and loved by paddle boarders and kayakers for its gentle waters and stunning views.
Things to do
On the road to Eastbourne, this is a small to medium sized boot fair. There is a footpath running to the right of the entrance which takes you across the marshes to the old village of Pevensey and the castle, good pub - The Royal Oak and Castle and tea room etc (40 mins ish)
Pevensey Bay Boot Sale
A259 Eastbourne RoadOn the road to Eastbourne, this is a small to medium sized boot fair. There is a footpath running to the right of the entrance which takes you across the marshes to the old village of Pevensey and the castle, good pub - The Royal Oak and Castle and tea room etc (40 mins ish)
A fantastic interactive science centre for all ages, sitting amongst domed observatories. A lovely spot. You can continue down the drive to see/visit Herstmonceux Castle or find the footpaths at either side of the entrance which take you on a circular route right around the castle and science centre grounds.
Herstmonceux Science Centre
A fantastic interactive science centre for all ages, sitting amongst domed observatories. A lovely spot. You can continue down the drive to see/visit Herstmonceux Castle or find the footpaths at either side of the entrance which take you on a circular route right around the castle and science centre grounds.
Indoor swimming centre to the east of Eastbourne. Gala, training, diving and fun pools with intermittent wave machine.
11 locals recommend
Sovereign Centre
Sovereign CentreIndoor swimming centre to the east of Eastbourne. Gala, training, diving and fun pools with intermittent wave machine.
Shopping
Asda Supermarket, Boots chemist and pharmacy, Sports Direct, TK Maxx, Wilko (home store)
Walk to the right of Wilko to reach the Marina 'village' with a variety of restaurants.
17 locals recommend
Sovereign Shopping Centre
600 Christchurch RdAsda Supermarket, Boots chemist and pharmacy, Sports Direct, TK Maxx, Wilko (home store)
Walk to the right of Wilko to reach the Marina 'village' with a variety of restaurants.
Food scene
Park at the Soveriegn shopping centre and walk through to the Marina (to the right of Wilko), here you will find a range of restaurant and boat views.
40 locals recommend
Sovereign Harbour Yacht Club Ltd
3 Harbour QuayPark at the Soveriegn shopping centre and walk through to the Marina (to the right of Wilko), here you will find a range of restaurant and boat views.
City/town information
A coastal town with a Victorian pier, lovely promenade, independent shops as well as large indoor shopping centre with cinema above. From the west end of the sea-front you can access the Downs, either directly or go the beach way up steep steps and make a circular walk. At the East end, before the town, there is a leisure centre - the Sovereign Centre - with indoor swimming.
118 locals recommend
Eastbourne
A coastal town with a Victorian pier, lovely promenade, independent shops as well as large indoor shopping centre with cinema above. From the west end of the sea-front you can access the Downs, either directly or go the beach way up steep steps and make a circular walk. At the East end, before the town, there is a leisure centre - the Sovereign Centre - with indoor swimming.
The coastal town of Hastings is full of character! In the centre there are range of high street shops as well as a small/medium indoor shopping centre. Walk along the seafront to the east to discover a beautifully quirky old town with lovely independent retro and quality gift shops, fishing huts on the beach and a working fishing fleet. Buy some fresh fish to take home or eat fish and chips on the beach. Visit the Smugglers Caves tourist attraction, play crazy golf or go up the East Hill in the cliff-climbing lift. The United Kingdom's steepest funicular railway, the East Hill Lift provides access to Hastings Country Park which overlooks the Old Town and Rock-a-Nore. Its sister, The West Hill Lift, first opened in 1891, retains its original wooden Victorian coaches. It runs through a tunnel, very unusual for a funicular railway! Hastings is home to Europe's largest fleet of beach-launched fishing boats. The pebble beach here has been used for beaching boats for more than a thousand years.
183 locals recommend
Hastings
The coastal town of Hastings is full of character! In the centre there are range of high street shops as well as a small/medium indoor shopping centre. Walk along the seafront to the east to discover a beautifully quirky old town with lovely independent retro and quality gift shops, fishing huts on the beach and a working fishing fleet. Buy some fresh fish to take home or eat fish and chips on the beach. Visit the Smugglers Caves tourist attraction, play crazy golf or go up the East Hill in the cliff-climbing lift. The United Kingdom's steepest funicular railway, the East Hill Lift provides access to Hastings Country Park which overlooks the Old Town and Rock-a-Nore. Its sister, The West Hill Lift, first opened in 1891, retains its original wooden Victorian coaches. It runs through a tunnel, very unusual for a funicular railway! Hastings is home to Europe's largest fleet of beach-launched fishing boats. The pebble beach here has been used for beaching boats for more than a thousand years.
Rye is very historical and special - a must if you have time. Quirky and cobbled with lovely independent shops and eateries, great views from the top of the town. There is also a large antique/retro centre with its own parking (for loading up your finds!) just the other side of the town river. A little drive takes you to Rye Harbour with good pub, cafe, walking and fantastic new architectural gem of a visitor centre, selling coffee and cake.
388 locals recommend
Rye
Rye is very historical and special - a must if you have time. Quirky and cobbled with lovely independent shops and eateries, great views from the top of the town. There is also a large antique/retro centre with its own parking (for loading up your finds!) just the other side of the town river. A little drive takes you to Rye Harbour with good pub, cafe, walking and fantastic new architectural gem of a visitor centre, selling coffee and cake.
A quiet seaside town with lots of independent shops and a promenade with cafes. You will also find the stunning De la Warr Pavilion on the sea front, which has a great gallery space, gift shop, lovely cafe and evening concert/events calendar.
46 locals recommend
Bexhill
A quiet seaside town with lots of independent shops and a promenade with cafes. You will also find the stunning De la Warr Pavilion on the sea front, which has a great gallery space, gift shop, lovely cafe and evening concert/events calendar.