Holiday Cottages East Sussex

Here's what you can see and do when staying at one of our holiday cottages in Sussex.

East Sussex has a fascinating mix of attractive coastline, unspoilt countryside and a seaside city. From the holiday cottages Sussex offers you are never far from the sea and the varied coastline here - dramatic white cliffs drop to secluded rocky bays, shingle beaches and swathes of golden sand.

Starting in the east, the beautifully preserved historic port of Rye is perched on a hill. The medieval town has a rich maze of cobbled streets lined with many ancient and interesting buildings that bear testimony to its eventful past. Several centuries ago Winchelsea was a major Channel port. Today it sits quietly on its hill, gazing at the now-distant sea, but echoes of its colourful history still resonate from the ancient buildings, stone town gates and the magnificent church of cathedral proportions. Bexhill on Sea, an Edwardian seaside resort and home to the De La Warr Pavilion, is one of the England's finest examples of Modernist movement architecture and now a major centre for contemporary arts. Hastings has long had a close relationship with the sea. Although its fishing industry has declined, it still has Europe's largest beach-launched fishing fleet, which has for over a thousand years been launched from the shingle strand known as 'The Stade'. Eastbourne is full of surprises. The resort is fast shedding its image as a haunt for pensioners and is now very much more of a family orientated seaside destination. Reputed to be the sunniest spot in the UK, there are five miles of unspoilt beaches and palm tree lined promenade. Beachy Head is an area of outstanding natural beauty and tranquillity which belies its proximity to Eastbourne. The impressive white cliffs are one of Sussex's most famous attractions. From the cliff top there are spectacular views of the famous red and white-stripped lighthouse as well as stunning views over Eastbourne and the English Channel. Brighton is a stylish and very special city by the sea. It has been a fashionable seaside resort since the 18th century and today offers a mix of seaside charm and chic city cool.

Beachy head is where the South Downs meet the sea. Stretching west into West Sussex, this recently designated National Park includes some of the most varied, stunning and quintessentially English landscapes in the country.

If you are staying at any of our Sussex holiday cottages a tour of the rolling countryside of the Weald, between the chalk escarpments of the South and North Downs, will delight most. The area is characterised by a patchwork of small fields surrounded by hedges, patches of heathland, abundant woodlands, scattered farmsteads and sunken lanes. The dense forest which gave the Weald its name has largely vanished, but fine ancient broadleaved woodland is still abundant, particularly in the deep ravines which cut into the ridges. It is also home to the Ashdown Forest, the largest expanse of open land in south east England and home to Winnie the Pooh.

Further east lies Battle and what is now called '1066 Country'. One of the most popular attractions in the area is Battle Abbey, built by William the Conqueror to commemorate his victory and today the venue of an annual re-enactment of the Battle of Hastings as well as year-round exhibits. The thriving town of Battle surrounds the abbey with many fine old buildings lining its High Street.

Pashley Manor is a quintessential English garden located on the Sussex and Kent border in the heart of South East England's garden country. Pashley offers a sumptuous blend of romantic landscaping, imaginative plantings and fine old trees, fountains, springs and large ponds.

In the surrounding countryside some of the distinctive Oast Houses, more often associated with neighbouring Kent, have been converted to provide distinctive Sussex holiday cottages; with their conical roofs and angled cowls they were originally built to dry hops for brewing beer.

Cottages close to East Sussex
Cottages in Kent
West Sussex cottages