MegaSack DRAW - This year's winner is user - rgwb
We will be in touch
I’ve got the sand out of the foot wells, the roof box is back in the shed and I think I’ve found all of the sea shells that have been left in various pockets. So this year’s holiday is over and planning for next year has begun.
We’ve done Devon, Dorset and Cornwall so we’re thinking of Brighton / Eastbourne for 2013.
Any good for families? – Kids will be 5 & 3
Castles?
Parks?
Play centres?
Animal sanctuaries?
Amusement parks?
Beaches?
Interesting surrounding towns and villages?
Yes
Castles - Lewes about 7 miles away and Arundel
Parks - big country one at Stanmer and several in centre of Brighton
Playcentres - a few soft play ones about
Animal Sacturies - Drusillas zoo and Middle Farm
Amusement Parks - the pier
Beaches - pebbles and difficult to walk on
Lots of historic towns and villages, Lewes, Arundel
South Downs Way for walks/views
Some good National Trust places + Arundel Castle and various others
Various Parks/Woodland places in the area
few soft play places if it's wet
Drusillas/a few bird sanctury type places and farms
Amusement Parks - Chessington about an hour from Brighton
BEaches. Brighton stony until tide is out. Hove Lagoon has good paddling pool andis quieter than the Brighton seafront play areas.
Lots of twee villages and stuff if you have a look around.
Plus the Downs if you want a walk with views.
I'd prefer Brighton to Eastbourne for a week or so's stay, tbh. London only an hour away by train if you wanted a museum's day.
Downsides;
Traffic is always relatively heavy
Check prices on stuff before you decide to fo there.
What sort of accomodation are you looking for? Centre of Brighton tends to be expensive for hotels although there's a couple fo the cheaper chains there now
South Downs if you are active, North Downs not far away.
Drusillas is great for kids.
Brighton is very trendy/busy but OK, Eastbourne is tatty and more focused on the aged, Hastings has an interesting sea front and Old Town, but qualifies for EU aid as one of the most run down places in the country. But you can watch them land the fish that you can then enjoy fried in batter close by.....
how very dare you, Eastbourne is spotless compared to Brighton. If you want something comparable to Devon or Cornwall I would head towards the [url= http://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/cuckmere-valley/ ]Cuckmere Valley[/url] area, a nice cottage near East Dean, Alfriston, Jevington or Friston. Friston Forest is great for riding and walking, and links up with the SDW, you've also go the Seven Sisters very nearby, a great beach at Birling Gap. Also nearby for day trips are Pevensey Castle, Herstmonceaux Castle and Observatory, Bodiam Castle and Steam Railway. Battle, Rye and good old Camber Sands. I would also treat Brighton and Hastings as days trips only, way too busy. There's also a great free airshow in Eastbourne in August.Eastbourne is tatty
If you like trains then there's the [url= http://www.bluebell-railway.co.uk/ ]Bluebell railway[/url]
For motorsport fans I'd defo recommend the Goodwood Festival of Speed though that's obviously date specific.
Staying out west, you actually get sandy beaches around Littlehampton area.
Unfortunately the two [u]big[/u] decent zoos / animal sanctuaries are Marwell near Winchester and Port Lympne near Folkstone. Both are drivable from Brighton but not exactly local. - Drusilias has already been mentioned