The Star, Alfriston
Overnight | Accommodation | Hotel
Dine, drink and stay at this designer boutique hotel in the medieval East Sussex village of Alfriston, owned by Olga and Alex Polizzi.
Cadence Cycle Club’s Director Roger Myall shows us the best ways to reach Sussex vineyards via three cycle routes out of Eastbourne.
At the beating heart of Sussex’s cycling community, Cadence Cycle Club is a network of cafes in spectacular rural locations, providing perfect pit stops for cyclists and walkers across the South Downs. Alongside great coffee, snacks and people, Cadence clubhouses offer bike repairs and servicing, tours and rentals, and food and music events throughout the summer. Encouraging people to ditch the car to explore Sussex is at the centre of Cadence’s mission. Here’s how to reach some of the best vineyards near Eastbourne by bike.
Henners Vineyard
Established in 2007, this picturesque vineyard enjoys a sweet spot on a slight hillside with views across the Pevensey Levels. Here you’ll find Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier, as well as some lovely sea breezes to revive warm cyclists and grapevines alike. Reach it via an enjoyably level cycle route through Pevensey Marshes, where big skies, flat roads and abundant wildlife abound.
Hidden Spring and Off The Line
Join the Cuckoo Trail cycle route from Polegate to Hidden Spring vineyard: a boutique wine producer creating world-class still and sparkling wines. Stop off at the female-owned Off The Line vineyard — so-called for its location on the old Cuckoo Line—to try their pioneering English rosé.
Eastbourne to Rathfinny
Big hills and equally big views await on this dramatic adventure across the cliffs to the mighty Rathfinny Wine Estate, known for itsTraditional Method Sussex Sparkling wines and spectacular location overlooking the Cuckmere Valley and the sea. The route takes in two Cadence Cycle Clubhouses (at Beachy Head and Litlington). An e-bike is highly recommended for this very hilly route.
Discover more car-free vineyard routes in Sussex, including a circular walk to Artelium, a vineyard and museum hop around Ditchling and a bluebell heritage railway adventure.
Find more great things to do in Eastbourne.
Circular walk: Plumpton station to Artelium Wine Estate
By Foot | Sustainable travel
Less than an hour from London, this enchanting walk off the beaten track will take you along a Roman Road, through beautiful landscapes to the idyllic Artelium Wine Estate at the foot of the South Downs.
Eastbourne to Rathfinny Wine Estate
By Bus | Cycling | Sustainable travel
Turner Prize 2023 exhibition
Events | Art
See the work of the Turner Prize’s four shortlisted artists for 2023 on display at Towner Eastbourne, from September 2023 until April 2024.
Pevensey Levels to Henners Vineyard cycle route
Sustainable travel | Cycling
Big skies, flat roads and abundant wildlife abound on this picturesque route through Pevensey Marshes up to Henners Vineyard.
The Sussex Modern guide to Eastbourne
Overnight | Art | Landscape | Wine
Small enough to explore in a day, exciting enough to stay for a week, Eastbourne has got it going on. So if you do like to be beside the seaside, here are just some of the things to do, places to stay, eat and drink in Britain’s new cultural hotspot.
Port Hotel
Overnight | Accommodation | Hotel
Port Hotel & Restaurant is a contemporary boutique hotel in a lovingly restored Victorian townhouse on Eastbourne's glistening seafront. Stay in one of 19 modern bedrooms, with a relaxed restaurant and inviting cocktail bar.
Rathfinny Wine Estate
Wine
Rathfinny has firmly put the Sussex Winelands on the map with their outstanding wine tourism experiences.
The Relais Cooden Beach
Accommodation | Hotel
Located two hours from London, this stunning Sussex seaside hotel offers a modern take on a classic English hotel experience.
