Sussex: A county to be proud about
Ancient Lewes Casle |
The Sussex Express, established in 1837, covers 700 square miles of the county of East Sussex, an area characterised by towns in the 10-20,000 population range and surrounding villages.
Agriculture remains an important industry in the county.
Tourism and leisure play a key role in the economy of East Sussex, chosen by many people as a retirement haven.
The coastal strip includes some major tourist resorts, Beachy Head and the famous white cliffs of the Seven Sisters, while inland are extensive areas of outstanding natural beauty such as the South Downs and Ashdown Forest.
The county's 1066 Country, which includes the site of the Battle of Hastings and many castles, attracts visitors from home and overseas. But East Sussex does not live in the past.
The county's cross-channel ferry port of Newhaven and nearby Gatwick Airport have attracted new high-tec industry to this part of the South East. |
East Sussex
The county of East Sussex is located on the south coast of England. Its coastal towns - of which Eastbourne and Hastings are the largest - contain 58% of the county’s total population.
Education plays a significant part in the county’s predominantly service-based economy, as do financial services and tourism.
The county has a mild climate, many cultural, historic and literary connections, and is located only about an hour’s train journey from London, while the new Newhaven-Dieppe ferry provides a direct link to France. Nearby Gatwick Airport operates services worldwide.
Beautiful countryside and coast
East Sussex covers 1,725 square km. (172,500 hectares), of which 63% lies within designated Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty (Sussex Downs and High Weald).
Fletching village (pictured), like much of the Sussex Downs, has also been designated an Environmentally Sensitive Area. |
Ashdown Forest is the largest area of heathland vegetation in South East England and is one of the most important semi-natural wildlife habitats in the county. It is held in trust by East Sussex County Council and is open to public access for quiet recreation and enjoyment.
The county also has 5 country parks: Seven Sisters; Ditchling Common; Stoneywish; Forest Way; and Hastings.
The county has 47 miles of coastline, 6 of which are designated as Heritage Coast. As the main towns lie along the coast, the few places where the countryside meets the sea - between Seaford and Eastbourne, the Pevensey Levels and the Rye Harbour area - are especially precious, and are protected and managed to ensure they can accommodate public access.
East Sussex is one of the most wooded counties in England. Approximately three quarters of all the woodland in the county is classified as "Ancient Woodland".
While the county is still relatively rich in wildlife habitats, only 8% has statutory protection, with 67 Sites of Special Scientific Interest, 5 National Nature Reserves and 12 Local Nature Reserves.
Historic towns and villages
The development of East Sussex’s coastal resorts in the nineteenth century set the framework for today’s settlement pattern of large coastal towns and small inland market towns and villages.
It also changed an agrarian economy to one of the first predominantly service sector economies in the country. The coastal resorts now offer residents and visitors entertainment, shopping, accommodation and cultural activities, as well as providing employment.
Inland, small market towns and villages (like Seaease near Lewes, pictured) provide local services, often in picturesque and historic settings, and historic houses and gardens provide an attraction to visitors. |
The county has 86 Conservation Areas and nearly 5,700 listed buildings (or groups of buildings) designated as being of special architectural or historic interest. It also has 308 Scheduled Ancient Monuments and a further 670 sites which the County Council has designated as Archaeologically Sensitive Areas.
Culture and Recreation
Many artists and writers have made East Sussex their home, including Rudyard Kipling, Henry James and members of the Bloomsbury Group, most notably Virginia Woolf.
The theatres of Eastbourne, Hastings and Bexhill attract national and international companies, while Glyndebourne offers world-class opera in a country-house setting. The coastal towns all provide a wide range of shops, restaurants, museums and cinemas.
Dramatic coastline, rolling downland, ancient villages and an historic county town - these are some of the delights of the Lewes District, set in the heart of Sussex Country. Pictured here is Chailey Windmill. |
Throughout the district there are dramatic changes of scenery from towering chalk cliffs on the coast, and the whale-backed South Downs behind, to the wooded countryside of the north.
This corner of England has always been at the forefront of the country's defences, from early raids by the Vikings and the Roman Legions, through the invasion of William the Conqueror, and forays by the French, right up to the dog fights of the Battle of Britain.
Just a few miles east of the District boundary, at Pevensey William of Normandy landed in 1066 to claim the English crown.
To the Saxon town of Lewes he sent a favourite noble, William de Warenne, who built an imposing castle and a great priory.
Lewes, the county town, is picturesquely set on a spur where the River Ouse meanders through the South Downs.
From the old heart of the town, dominated by the ruins of the great Norman castle, there are enchanting glimpses through twisting medieval streets and tiny twittens, of the swathe of chalk downland and of the water meadows stretching south to the English Channel at Newhaven.
The town of Newhaven (pictured) lies on the shortest land and sea route between London and Paris, and is one of the major cross-Channel ports. |
Neighbouring Seaford is a quiet, informal holiday resort offering an ideal touring base for the surrounding countryside and coastline, including attractions such as Seaford Head, the Seven Sisters, Beachy Head and the village of Alfriston.
Away from the coast, the visitor will discover unspoilt countryside and picturesque villages offering the perfect setting for walking, cycling or simply enjoying some light refreshment in one of the many country pubs.
Whether you are visiting the historic county town, the varied coastline or exploring the surrounding countryside, a warm welcome awaits you. Discover for yourself the delights of Lewes district.
Wealden District - the heart of Sussex Countryside
Wealden District Council is home to around 142,000 people. Half of the population lives in the District's five main towns: Crowborough, Hailsham, Heathfield, Polegate and Uckfield.
The rest of the District is predominantly rural and has many small towns, villages and hamlets. Pictured here is Michelham Priory. |
Over its 323 square miles, the Wealden landscape is varied, ranging from the Ashdown Forest in the north to the South Downs and the coast to the south. Two thirds of the District is designated as Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty: national recognition of its landscape quality.
Around 40,000 people work in the District with business primarily in the service sector. 80% of Wealden's businesses employ less than ten people and 57% of residents work locally.
Employment opportunities continue to grow with unemployment standing at around 1.6% compared to a County-wide rate of 3.8%.
Pictured is Wilmington Priory and Church. |
