Local Petrol Stations:
Texaco = 1 Min South - Jet Wash (Ok for a quick jet off)
BP = 4 Mins North - Open all night
Morrisons = 4 Mins South - (Good Jet Wash)
Total = 5 Mins East - (Jet Wash for small vehicles)
Supermarkets:
Morrisons = 5 Mins South
Lidl = 4 Mins South
Sainsbury Express = 7 Mins East
Tesco = 9 Mins East
Scenery and Walks:
Ashdown Forest = 5 mins South www.ashdownforest.org
The Forest is at the heart of the High Weald Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and has national and international protection because of its wildlife. Nearly two thirds of its 6500 acres (2500 hectares) are heathland, amounting to 2.5% of the UK's extent of this rare habitat. This is the largest public open area in the SouthEast. In the summer months, the sheep graze in the public areas and its not unusual to spot families of deer.
Dont be fooled by the name, Ashdown Forest is a large open area of heathland on a rugged terrain. There's hours of walking routes to take and good picnic spots. If walking is not your thing, take your bus or bug for a potter along the lanes. Keep your camera handy s there are some good backdrops for your vw photo album.
If you have children with you, Ashdown Forest is home of Winnie the Pooh.
British Wildlife Centre = 25 Mins North West www.britishwildlifecentre.co.uk
If you are coming from the M25, you will pass this. I went last year and thought it was good. It's £8 Adult £6 Child. Animals live in settings that reflect their natural environment. Much of the area is outdoors, although there are plenty of undercover areas such as The Barn, The Hedgerow and the observation Badger Sett. It has the usual cafe, gift shop, keep talks etc..
Beachy Head = 40 Mins South (near Eastbourne) www.beachyhead.org.uk
Beachy Head is another spot of outstanding natural beauty. It's an amazing drive along the coast road which is elevated up to 530 feet on the chalk cliffs above sea level. Be careful if you have dogs or children as there is no barrier to the cliff edge. There has been campaigns to get protection barrier installed but quite rightly it has had objections. If you are joining us on the cruise to Eastbourne, we will be passing Beachy Head so it may your opportunity to explore this whilst in the area.
There are three pubs in the area. Tiger Inn is a good old traditional pub. From memory, no children are allowed in though. A good family pub is Birling Gap Hotel, it's right on the cliffs with a good sized car park and a family/games room at the rear and access down to the beach.
You could always pop into the Sheep Centre to help feed the lambs, meet the animals and take a ride on the tractor trailer ride, watch Sheep milking, Cheese making, Shearing, Spinning and Sheep being shorn. http://www.sheepcentre.co.uk/
Eastbourne = 50 Mins South (or we are going there)
When in Eastbourne, park up enjoy the Extreme Festival and our Show & Shine and take a walk along the prominade to the Pier. Look out for the Italian Ice Cream place on the right!!
We are parking our Dubs right next to Fort Fun Park, great for the kids!! You can buy tokens for the rides or a writband for unlimited rides such as Water Log, Bumper Cars, Tea Cups and more.
Coastal Road A259
Go West on the A259 and explore Beachy Head as mentioned above (worth a visit if you havent been there). The drive further west of this is also quite pleasant. Drop down to Seaford Beach which is not as busy as Eastbourne but does not have much in the way of shops etc. Further west will take you to Brighton which is great for shopping and bars.
Go East on the A259 and take Coast Road to Cooden Beach. No shops, cafes etc only a nearby Pub - The Star Inn. The road takes you right along the beach front and has become a popular place for free camping, you will often see the odd camper or converted bus parked up on the beach front. You can proceed on to Bexhill where parking is free in places on Sundays. Further on is Hastings which has a nice old town and several good shops, bars and antique shops.
If you want to get further afield, Rye Harbour Town, Camber Sands, Dungeness (strange place consisting of dwellings made from railway carriages), Hythe Village, and so on.
My advice is to start at Eastbourne and see Beachy Head which is nearby. Get back on the A259 West for 3 miles and turn right to Litlington. The drive through here is as pretty as driving through a Cornish village. Inbetween Litlington & Wilmington, you will see a parking spot, this is at where the South Downs Way crosses the road. Park here and walk up the hill. You will be rewarded with the most spectacular views accross the hills and to the sea - Wonderful!
