ENGLAND
5 DAYS from £416
5 DAYS from £416
Standen House & Gardens
Bateman’s
Make Haste for a Chilling Seaside Tour
Sussex Steam, Seaside Charms & Tea
UPDATED TOUR
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Sussex is a county rich in history, scenery and culture and our tour features visits to famous gardens, a 17th century Jacobean house and the fascinating True Crimes Museum. We also enjoy free time to explore two delightfully contrasting towns – Eastbourne and Rye.
Based in elegant Eastbourne, this appealing new tour takes us deep into beautiful Sussex before casting the spotlight on its charming seaside towns. We ride the heritage Bluebell Railway steam train, discover the historic retreats and gardens of Standen House and Michelham Priory, and enjoy time free in Eastbourne and bohemian Hastings before taking tea and learning the etiquette that surrounds it at the brilliant British Tea Museum.
PACKAGED ITINERARY
Day 1 Arrival We arrive at our hotel in time for dinner. Day 2 Hastings & True Crime Museum & Pashley Manor Gardens We start with a visit to the True Crime Museum . It is a chilling, yet fascinating insight into the world of serial killers, forensics, gangsters, prisoners, poisoners and more! Explore the exhibits and uncover the stories behind some of the most notorious crimes in history. You will have free time in Hastings with time for lunch before travelling to visit the award-winning Pashley Manor Gardens for a guided tour, where we see romantic English landscaping at its finest. Day 3 Bateman’s & Eastbourne This morning, we visit Bateman’s , the impressive 17th century house nestling in the East Sussex countryside, which was Rudyard Kipling’s home from 1902 until his death in 1936. Kipling and his wife instantly fell in love with the house, its wooded landscape and the sanctuary it afforded them. Our introductory talk explains more about the house and the Kipling connection. After our visit, we head back to the coast and Eastbourne where we have time for lunch. We spend the afternoon at leisure here, perhaps enjoying a stroll along the pleasant promenade and the 19th century pier or visiting the Towner Art Gallery which features some modern British works. Day 4 Great Dixter House & Gardens & Rye This morning is spent at Great Dixter House & Gardens . Having been the family home of gardener and gardening writer, Christopher Lloyd, the arts and crafts style gardens are particularly impressive here. We then head to the historic port town of Rye where we find a mix of medieval half-timbered houses and cobbled lanes. Browse the art galleries and collectable shops or walk up to St Mary’s Church with its Norman tower and look back down on this pretty little town. Day 5 Departure After breakfast, we make our way home.
PACKAGED ITINERARY
Day 1 Arrival We arrive at our hotel in time for dinner. Day 2 Bluebell Railway & Standen House & Garden
This morning, we enjoy a journey on the Bluebell Railway heritage steam train from Sheffield Park to East Grinstead , riding a nostalgic train carriage as it chugs 11 miles through picturesque Sussex countryside. Next, we enjoy a visit to Standen House & Garden , considered one of the country’s finest examples of Arts & Craft workmanship. We admire the rich Morris & Co. interiors of this late- 19th century house and stroll around its hillside garden, which boasts acclaimed plant collections and far-reaching views over the wooded Sussex countryside. Day 3 Michelham Priory & Eastbourne Today we visit Michelham Priory and Gardens , a picture-perfect, moated Tudor house founded by Augustinian canons in 1229. After crossing the moat via the medieval gatehouse, we see the house and its gardens, which include a great barn, watermill, and forge. This afternoon brings free time in Eastbourne, giving us the chance to discover this genteel resort as we wish. We can stroll the flower- lined promenade, delve into the pier, shops and cafés, and perhaps catch an open-top sightseeing bus to the white cliffs of nearby Beachy Head. Day 4 Hastings & The British Tea Museum We begin today in Hastings where we have time at leisure to experience this historic seaside resort. One of the medieval Cinque Ports, its highlights include the quaint old town, funicular railways, and a fishing beach studded with tall black net huts and fishing boats. In the afternoon, we visit The British Tea Museum in the town, which celebrates the time-honoured rituals of the British teatime. We enjoy a workshop on the social history of tea and taste two fine teas accompanied by a scone topped with cream and jam. Day 5 Departure After breakfast, we make our way home. INCLUSIONS • Bluebell Railway one way journey Sheffield Park to East Grinstead • Entrance to Standen House & Gardens • Entrance to Michelham Priory & guided tour • British Tea Museum workshop, two tea tastings & scone with cream and jam
INCLUSIONS • Entrance to True Crime Museum • Entrance to Pashley Manor Gardens & guided tour • Entrance to Bateman’s house & garden • Entrance to Great Dixter House & Gardens
Hastings
Albatross Approved Rating: ✓ Visited ✓ Inspected ✓ Graded
100
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