Suggestions for family activities near Heathfield, Sussex, UK
Jul 4th, 2012, 11:04 AM
#1
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Suggestions for family activities near Heathfield, Sussex, UK
Will be staying in Heathfield, Sussex, UK with children (ages 3, 6, 8) for a few weeks arriving mid July and looking for fun things to do, good places to eat-No picky eaters in our family. Have been researching the Southern line on train (from Buxted station) and would love to hear any ideas of local activiies to keeps kids entertained and enjoy the English countryside...Thank you for your time in advance!
Jul 4th, 2012, 01:28 PM
#3
hi dmcq,
We used to live near there, so I hope I can remember the area well enough.
The first thing to say is that the train line from Buxted may not be your best option - the trains certainly didn't used to run very often. it may be better to drive to Tunbridge Wells which has a much better more frequent service.
secondly, will you have a car? without one, you may be quite stuck!
assuming you will have one, there are lots of places to go - in no particular order:
Rye, Tenterden, Cranbrook, Lewes, Sissinghurst, Hastings [Battle], Romney to Dymchurch railway, Brighton, Arundel, Scotney Castle, Leeds Castle, Ashford [for access to the channel tunnel to France] Dover and the CAstle, Westerham, Chartwell, ......
can I stop now?
if you like gardens, try to get hold of the "Yellow Guide' which will give you details of many private gardens that open for charity a few times a ear as well as the bigger ones.
hope you have a lovely time.
We used to live near there, so I hope I can remember the area well enough.
The first thing to say is that the train line from Buxted may not be your best option - the trains certainly didn't used to run very often. it may be better to drive to Tunbridge Wells which has a much better more frequent service.
secondly, will you have a car? without one, you may be quite stuck!
assuming you will have one, there are lots of places to go - in no particular order:
Rye, Tenterden, Cranbrook, Lewes, Sissinghurst, Hastings [Battle], Romney to Dymchurch railway, Brighton, Arundel, Scotney Castle, Leeds Castle, Ashford [for access to the channel tunnel to France] Dover and the CAstle, Westerham, Chartwell, ......
can I stop now?
if you like gardens, try to get hold of the "Yellow Guide' which will give you details of many private gardens that open for charity a few times a ear as well as the bigger ones.
hope you have a lovely time.
Jul 5th, 2012, 02:07 AM
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Fishbourne Roman Villa (the largest Roman Palace north of the Alps); http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fishbourne_Roman_Palace
The Weald And Downland Museum; http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Weald_a...pen_Air_Museum
If you go to Dover for the castle (and Roman Lighthouse, and Napoleonic Tunnels and WW2 stuff too) be sure to carry on and drop into Deal too by way of a castle contrast; http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Deal_Castle
There's really an awful lot to do in Kent & Sussex!
Dr D.
The Weald And Downland Museum; http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Weald_a...pen_Air_Museum
If you go to Dover for the castle (and Roman Lighthouse, and Napoleonic Tunnels and WW2 stuff too) be sure to carry on and drop into Deal too by way of a castle contrast; http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Deal_Castle
There's really an awful lot to do in Kent & Sussex!
Dr D.
Jul 5th, 2012, 07:08 AM
#8
On your other thread you said you wouldn't have a car. As annhig says - you will have a <B>MUCH</B> easier time of it w/ a car. Not for your trips into London, for that the train is best.
All the sites mentioned above are great (and there are many more as well) but few are on rail lines and bus service is very spotty.
All the sites mentioned above are great (and there are many more as well) but few are on rail lines and bus service is very spotty.
Jul 5th, 2012, 10:54 AM
#9
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We will probably not have a car.. looked into renting, but was outrageously expensive and to borrow from my in laws will not work because of insurance purposes..Do you know which "must do" sights are near public transport? We can get bus from Heathfield to Tunbridge Wells station or a ride to Buxted station.. We are alo working on when to stay overnight with friends in London and Cambridge to best meet our planning needs..My husband grew up in Wiltshire and his parents now live in Heathfield, so he is unfamiliar with the area... Thank you so much for your help and advice, it is greatly appreciated and the kids are getting so excited!
Jul 5th, 2012, 01:01 PM
#11
annhig - Actually it can be a PITA. I tried for ages to get my father onto my car insurance, and the company didn't want to know - foreign resident etc even though he has held a UK driving licence for over 40 years.
There arte short term insurance cover companies, but they tend to be quite expensive - over £50 a week if I remember rightly.
There arte short term insurance cover companies, but they tend to be quite expensive - over £50 a week if I remember rightly.
Jul 5th, 2012, 03:13 PM
#13
Just how expensive are we talking about? Where have you looked for a rental car? I rent cars in the UK a LOT and it is seldom more expensive than in the States and sometimes less. (And we definitely pay less than locals would renting there)
Start w/ Autoeurope.com They are a broker that often gets the best rates. If you have a platinum cc it will cover the insurance so you don't have to pay extra for that.
And <u>especially</u> since you are staying in a place w/ no rail service.
You may not need a car for the entire time, but a weekor two will REALLY make thing easier.
Start w/ Autoeurope.com They are a broker that often gets the best rates. If you have a platinum cc it will cover the insurance so you don't have to pay extra for that.
And <u>especially</u> since you are staying in a place w/ no rail service.
You may not need a car for the entire time, but a weekor two will REALLY make thing easier.
Jul 6th, 2012, 06:11 AM
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Jul 6th, 2012, 01:22 PM
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Tricky without a car but -
http://www.bluebell-railway.co.uk/
Hurstmonceux Science Museum http://www.the-observatory.org/index.php - my kids loved this place, especially moving one ton lumps of concrete by themselves and the reflective dishes in the courtyard where you could whisper a (rude!!) word and it would echo back
http://www.bluebell-railway.co.uk/
Hurstmonceux Science Museum http://www.the-observatory.org/index.php - my kids loved this place, especially moving one ton lumps of concrete by themselves and the reflective dishes in the courtyard where you could whisper a (rude!!) word and it would echo back
