Shop and dine well in Wealden

Great shopping and dining is on your doorstop – discover more of the towns and villages and support the local economy

With more of us staying local during the pandemic, there has been a resurgence in their popularity and this, in turn, has led to a greater recognition that if we don’t support out high streets, we will lose them, to the detriment of community life and local jobs.

Wealden District Council is supporting our towns and villages through its ‘Show and Dine Well in Wealden’ campaign.

Here we take a look at the key locations and give you some suggestions of how YOU can shop and dine well in Wealden.

Wealden’s towns and villages offer so much to do and lots of quality independent shops, cafes, restaurants and businesses – find out what’s on your doorstep

East Dean

Tucked away at the edge of the scenic South Downs, this small Wealden village lies close to Beachy Head and Birling Gap beach. One side of the village is home to a cluster of eateries surrounding a quintessential village green, whilst nearby are popular local stores such as family-run Downland Butchers, who have been trading for over 30 years.

East Dean hosts a weekly market on Wednesday mornings – great for fresh produce and bakes, locally-brewed drinks and artisan crafts. Car parking is off Village Green Lane and there is disabled access to a tea room, gift shop and toilets.

Where to eat

Suggestions include right on the village green Hikers Rest for drinks, light bites and homemade cake. Nearby is the tiger Inn, a classic English pub with open fires, oak beams and real ales – a welcome pit-stop for hungry walkers.

Forest Row

You could while away a few happy hours walking round the village, especially on market day, every Wednesday. It its home to a wide range of independent stores and cafes set along the main road and tucked away in side streets. Forest Row has become a centre for organic produce and services in recent years.

Where to eat

Try Tablehurst Community Farm Shop for organic and biodynamic produce. Locals love family0prun Cyrnel Bakery, who have a real passion for traditional baking of bread and sweet treats. Java & Jazz is a pizzeria and café with great food and atmosphere and Thai Time offers authentic Thai cuisine using fresh local produce.

Mayfield

This is a picture-perfect village high in the Sussex Weald, with a medieval high street and 15thCentury Anglican Church. Here you can discover delicious food and drink from locally-sourced producers in a number of deli and specialist stores. You can get all your essentials from traditional shops here, including a florist, wineshop, butcher, baker and a treasure-trove of a gift shop.

Where to eat

Drop by The Pink Cabbage Produce Co – a quirky independent café, or for something more substantial don’t miss The Middle House, a Grade 1 listed Elizabethan pub and hotel with an impressive restaurant, cosy bar and al fresco dining terrace with wonderful views.

Pevensey

The beach takes centre stage in Pevensey Bay, but a walk across the Pevensey Levels takes you into the natural wetlands which are a haven for wild birds, flowers and animals. Nearby there is Pevensey Castle with its history going back centuries to Roman times. Try Be-Rad waterspouts for year-round wetsuits and equipment for sale and hire, plus lessons for Kitesurfing and Paddleboarding. Anglers Den Suxxes is the fisherman’s friends and for cyclists a visit to Cycle Tech is a must. Look out for the Pevensey Plungers who enjoy a daily sea swim at 9am all year round!

Where to eat

How about a proper Sussex cream tea in a country garden at the Castle Cottage Tea Rooms or as the sun goes down a fish and chip supper and drinks at the Aqua Bar on the beach.

Wadhurst

A warm welcome awaits in Wadhurst where you’ll find a busy high street full of independent shops and cafes. It’s great for foodies and the Wadhurst monthly village market is a popular attraction and is held on the third Saturday each month. Here’s a handy free car park just off the high street. The Artful Grocer offers a refil stop for fruit, veg, deli and coffee and Wealden Wholefoods Co-ooperative provides all manner of dry goods, teas and deli.

Where to eat

There is no shortage of historic warm and inviting pubs such as The Greyhound Inn or White Hart and plenty of coffee stops too.

To find out more visit www.explorewealden.co.uk or follow the campaign on Facebook and Twitter @ShopDineinWealden