9.30am start until 1.30pm - Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri
1.30pm start until 5.30pm - Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri
(afternoon tour in reverse order)
£36.50 per person inclusive of all entrance fees and tasting
(Group Rates available - please enquire)
For those looking for a little added extra on top of discovering the History of Brighton & Sussex, this tour includes one of Sussex's finest wine estates - with guided tour and tasting, a must for wine lovers everywhere.
First stop of this journey will be into the old Market Town of Lewes (from the old Saxon word 'hluews' meaning Slopes or Hills), renowned for its historical and architectural past. Lewes Castle is your first stop, situated high above the valley of the River Ouse, on the edge of the South Downs. Built in the late 11th / early 12th Century, this impressive stone Motte and Bailey Fortress has a magnificent Barbican, added in the late 14th Century. This Barbican and much of the Shell Keep are still standing and you can climb to the top of both. After a stroll around the castle grounds and in the Barbican House Museum, you have time to wander through the town, browsing the antique shops of the Cliffe.
From there it's a short bus ride to the small and picturesque village of Ditchling, which lies at the foot of the Downs. Wander through the Turner Dumbrell Workshops, a hidden gem selling beautiful hand crafted products - meet the local designers, explore their workshops and choose from a stunning selection of hand made contemporary works of art, textiles, fashion, jewellery and much more.
Onwards from there is the Ridgeview Estate, located just 1½ miles north of the highest point on the Brighton and Sussex Downs. The Estate is dedicated solely to the production of the highest quality sparkling wine from traditional Champagne varieties and methods. The visit includes a comprehensive guided tour of the vineyard, winery and cellars giving you an insight into the sparkling wine making process, followed by a tasting of their current Sparkling Wines.
Once suitably 'tipsy' let us comfortably return you to Brighton.
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