The Long Stable Brightling: local things to see and do
Sightseeing
John “Mad Jack” Fuller was the proprietor of the Brightling Estate in the early 19th century. He left his mark on Brightling in the form of a number of follies and this conspicuous pyramid-shaped grave in the churchyard. Many accounts of his life focus on his eccentricity and “philanthropy”. However the wealth that underwrote this came from his sugar plantation in Jamaica, where the work was done by a large number of slaves. At his death, his estate “owned” about 270 enslaved people. Fuller was a strong opponent of the abolition of the slave trade and the freeing of slaves, using his position as MP to campaign against both. He clearly found no contradiction between his “philanthropy” at home and the situation on his sugar plantation.
The Mausoleum of Jack Fuller
John “Mad Jack” Fuller was the proprietor of the Brightling Estate in the early 19th century. He left his mark on Brightling in the form of a number of follies and this conspicuous pyramid-shaped grave in the churchyard. Many accounts of his life focus on his eccentricity and “philanthropy”. However the wealth that underwrote this came from his sugar plantation in Jamaica, where the work was done by a large number of slaves. At his death, his estate “owned” about 270 enslaved people. Fuller was a strong opponent of the abolition of the slave trade and the freeing of slaves, using his position as MP to campaign against both. He clearly found no contradiction between his “philanthropy” at home and the situation on his sugar plantation.
National Trust Property, former home of Rudyard Kipling. Allow several hours to see house, garden and ground. Don’t miss the water mill.
https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/batemans
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Bateman's
Bateman's LaneNational Trust Property, former home of Rudyard Kipling. Allow several hours to see house, garden and ground. Don’t miss the water mill.
https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/batemans
Partially ruined Benedictine abbey built on the site of the Battle of Hastings
https://www.english-heritage.org.uk/visit/places/1066-battle-of-hastings-abbey-and-battlefield/
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Kloster Battle
High StreetPartially ruined Benedictine abbey built on the site of the Battle of Hastings
https://www.english-heritage.org.uk/visit/places/1066-battle-of-hastings-abbey-and-battlefield/
National Trust Property “Archetypal 14th century moated castle with ruined interior - a glimpse of medieval splendour”
https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/bodiam-castle
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Bodiam Schloss
National Trust Property “Archetypal 14th century moated castle with ruined interior - a glimpse of medieval splendour”
https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/bodiam-castle
House and Gardens – visit either or both. Medieval Lutyens-restored house; historic gardens
http://www.greatdixter.co.uk/
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Great Dixter House & Gardens
House and Gardens – visit either or both. Medieval Lutyens-restored house; historic gardens
http://www.greatdixter.co.uk/
A medieval village that is unusual in that is was planned on a grid pattern. Look out for the cellar tours that run regularly during the summer.
http://www.winchelsea.com/museum/
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Winchelsea
A medieval village that is unusual in that is was planned on a grid pattern. Look out for the cellar tours that run regularly during the summer.
http://www.winchelsea.com/museum/
28 miles long, walkable for its entire length. We particularly like the stretch around Rye and Winchelsea
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Royal Military Canal
28 miles long, walkable for its entire length. We particularly like the stretch around Rye and Winchelsea
Historic house and country estate. Open to the public approximately June to mid-October each year.
https://firle.com/
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Firle Place
Firle PlaceHistoric house and country estate. Open to the public approximately June to mid-October each year.
https://firle.com/
The famous country home of the Bloomsbury Group, open to the public.
http://www.charleston.org.uk/
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Charleston Trust
The famous country home of the Bloomsbury Group, open to the public.
http://www.charleston.org.uk/
Extensive English-style formal gardens created in the 1930s by the writer, Vita Sackville-West. National Trust property.
www.nationaltrust.org.uk/sissinghurst-castle-garden
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Schlossgarten Sissinghurst
Biddenden RdExtensive English-style formal gardens created in the 1930s by the writer, Vita Sackville-West. National Trust property.
www.nationaltrust.org.uk/sissinghurst-castle-garden
Vineyards and brewery
There is a vineyard and winery. Tours and tastings available from time to time. Check their website
https://www.mountfieldwinery.com/ for latest details
Mountfield Winery
There is a vineyard and winery. Tours and tastings available from time to time. Check their website
https://www.mountfieldwinery.com/ for latest details
Authentic local brew shop serving beer brewed a few miles away.
Battle Brewery Bottle Shop & Tap Room
High StreetAuthentic local brew shop serving beer brewed a few miles away.
Offers “Vineyard & Woodland Nature Trail + Wine tasting” If you want to do a vineyard tour this is probably the one to go for.
http://www.englishorganicwine.co.uk/
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Sedlescombe Organic Vineyard
Hawkhurst RoadOffers “Vineyard & Woodland Nature Trail + Wine tasting” If you want to do a vineyard tour this is probably the one to go for.
http://www.englishorganicwine.co.uk/
For tours, phone (01892) 890412. The actual vineyard doesn’t seem to have its own web site. (There is a pub called the Vineyard at this location, which does have a website, but this appears to be a separate enterprise. Confusing). Let us know if you go, and we will update this information.
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The Vineyard
For tours, phone (01892) 890412. The actual vineyard doesn’t seem to have its own web site. (There is a pub called the Vineyard at this location, which does have a website, but this appears to be a separate enterprise. Confusing). Let us know if you go, and we will update this information.
Things to do for children and adults
Kent & East Sussex Railway
Station Road11½ miles of steam railway.
https://kesr.org.uk/
Cruises in both directions along the river Rother
https://bodiamboatingstation.co.uk
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Bodiam Boating Station
Station RoadCruises in both directions along the river Rother
https://bodiamboatingstation.co.uk
Treetop adventures for adults and children including 170 metre zip wire. Or for a calmer experience, just enjoy the trees of Bedgbury Pinetum
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Go Ape Bedgebury
Bedgebury LaneTreetop adventures for adults and children including 170 metre zip wire. Or for a calmer experience, just enjoy the trees of Bedgbury Pinetum
Very pleasant sea bathing, with lifeguards on duty in the summer. It is a shingle beach rather than sand, so will be more comfortable with shoes.
Bexhill Beach
583 Bexhill RdVery pleasant sea bathing, with lifeguards on duty in the summer. It is a shingle beach rather than sand, so will be more comfortable with shoes.
Camber Sands
Miles of sandy beach, with an RNLI life-guarded area.
A hidden gem. Check out Hendy’s hardware store (36 High Street), antique and junk shops. Also the quirky and handsome residential streets on the hill above the Old Town High Street.
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Hastings Old Town
A hidden gem. Check out Hendy’s hardware store (36 High Street), antique and junk shops. Also the quirky and handsome residential streets on the hill above the Old Town High Street.
“The impressive fortifications, which have protected the Fort from attack through two World Wars, have also kept its rich heritage virtually untouched. Journey deep into the network of tunnels, venture onto the ramparts and gun emplacements and unlock the secret stories of the people who lived and worked at Newhaven Fort.”
www.newhavenfort.org.uk/
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Newhaven Fort
“The impressive fortifications, which have protected the Fort from attack through two World Wars, have also kept its rich heritage virtually untouched. Journey deep into the network of tunnels, venture onto the ramparts and gun emplacements and unlock the secret stories of the people who lived and worked at Newhaven Fort.”
www.newhavenfort.org.uk/
Over 13 miles of miniature steam railway that you can ride on.
www.rhdr.org.uk/
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Romney, Hythe & Dymchurch Light Railway
2 Littlestone RdOver 13 miles of miniature steam railway that you can ride on.
www.rhdr.org.uk/
The subject of the famous book “Wilding” by Isabella Tree – what happens when you stop farming and allow the farm to revert to its natural state. There are (fairly expensive) official tours, but also plenty of public footpaths through the estate which you can walk for free https://knepp.co.uk/home
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Knepp Castle Estate
The subject of the famous book “Wilding” by Isabella Tree – what happens when you stop farming and allow the farm to revert to its natural state. There are (fairly expensive) official tours, but also plenty of public footpaths through the estate which you can walk for free https://knepp.co.uk/home
“...rescued rural homes and buildings set in a beautiful landscape in the South Downs National Park...tells the stories of the people who lived and worked in rural South East England over 1,000 years...family-friendly 40-acre site and visit our collection of historic buildings – we have more than 50 to explore from a replica Anglo-Saxon hall house to an Edwardian tin church”. Obviously this is quite a long way to go but it is a fascinating place and you can easily spend an entire day here.
www.wealddown.co.uk/
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Weald & Downland Living Museum
Town Lane“...rescued rural homes and buildings set in a beautiful landscape in the South Downs National Park...tells the stories of the people who lived and worked in rural South East England over 1,000 years...family-friendly 40-acre site and visit our collection of historic buildings – we have more than 50 to explore from a replica Anglo-Saxon hall house to an Edwardian tin church”. Obviously this is quite a long way to go but it is a fascinating place and you can easily spend an entire day here.
www.wealddown.co.uk/
Neighbourhoods
A hidden gem. Check out Hendy’s hardware store (36 High Street), antique and junk shops. Also the quirky and handsome residential streets on the hill above the Old Town High Street.
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Hastings Old Town
A hidden gem. Check out Hendy’s hardware store (36 High Street), antique and junk shops. Also the quirky and handsome residential streets on the hill above the Old Town High Street.
The centre of Rye has many cobbled streets lined with mediaeval houses. Very popular. Lots of places to eat and drink. Could be combined with a visit to Camber Sands
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Rye
The centre of Rye has many cobbled streets lined with mediaeval houses. Very popular. Lots of places to eat and drink. Could be combined with a visit to Camber Sands
Battle
Market town with good shops and the site of the Battle of Hastings.
Cinema, theatre, music
We love the 48-seater Electric Palace cinema in Hastings Old Town. A community cinema which shows good films rather than the latest blockbusters.
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Electric Palace Cinema, Hastings
39A High StWe love the 48-seater Electric Palace cinema in Hastings Old Town. A community cinema which shows good films rather than the latest blockbusters.
It is a stylish venue. As well as showing films, it often has streamed performances from the National Theatre and the Royal Opera House.
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Kino-Teatr
43-49 Norman RdIt is a stylish venue. As well as showing films, it often has streamed performances from the National Theatre and the Royal Opera House.
The world-famous opera house. Opens in May each year and continues during the summer and Autumn You need tickets to get into the gardens and performances. You don’t need to be a member; tickets are often available.
http://www.glyndebourne.com/
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Glyndebourne
New RoadThe world-famous opera house. Opens in May each year and continues during the summer and Autumn You need tickets to get into the gardens and performances. You don’t need to be a member; tickets are often available.
http://www.glyndebourne.com/
Eating out and drinking
Traditional country pub – good atmosphere, good food. Serves breakfast (not every day) and also has a takeaway fish and chip night.
https://mic600.wixsite.com/swanninndallington
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The Swan Inn
B2096Traditional country pub – good atmosphere, good food. Serves breakfast (not every day) and also has a takeaway fish and chip night.
https://mic600.wixsite.com/swanninndallington
Traditional village pub with good atmosphere and good food.https://www.theroseandcrownburwash.co.uk/index
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The Rose & Crown
Fletching StreetTraditional village pub with good atmosphere and good food.https://www.theroseandcrownburwash.co.uk/index
The George Inn
“Gastropub” which recently re-opened under new management. Local produce including beef, lamb and pork from the owners’ nearby farm. We have had good reports of the food and atmosphere.https://www.white-hart-netherfield.co.uk/
The White Hart
“Gastropub” which recently re-opened under new management. Local produce including beef, lamb and pork from the owners’ nearby farm. We have had good reports of the food and atmosphere.https://www.white-hart-netherfield.co.uk/
Very popular, child-friendly. On a road rather than in a village.
https://www.thesquirrelinn-battle.co.uk/
The Squirrel Inn
North Trade RoadVery popular, child-friendly. On a road rather than in a village.
https://www.thesquirrelinn-battle.co.uk/
Country pub with good atmosphere and good food. Traditional roast on Sundays. Live music sometimeshttp://salehursthalt.co.uk/
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The Salehurst Halt
2 Church LnCountry pub with good atmosphere and good food. Traditional roast on Sundays. Live music sometimeshttp://salehursthalt.co.uk/
Traditional country pub, indoor and outdoor dining, good atmosphere
https://www.ashtreeinn.com/
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The Ash Tree Inn
Traditional country pub, indoor and outdoor dining, good atmosphere
https://www.ashtreeinn.com/
We have very good reports of this place, serving homemade food from local ingredientshttps://thewhitedogewhurst.co.uk/
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The White Dog
We have very good reports of this place, serving homemade food from local ingredientshttps://thewhitedogewhurst.co.uk/