Things to do in Sussex
You are not confined to stay on the camp site when you visit Woodside Spa & Glamping as there is loads to do in the wider area of East Sussex.
Below you can find a list of the amazing things you can get up to while you are here:
Head down to rural East Sussex, for your chance to meet one of the UK’s true eco-pioneers – the grandfather of organic viticulture, Roy Cook. Not only did Roy start the first organic vineyard in 1979, but in late 2010, Sedlescombe became the first vineyard to release ‘Biodynamic’ English Wine.why not have a tour and a little wine tasting.
The Kent & East Sussex Railway is the country’s finest example of a rural light railway. The line gently wends its way from Tenterden – “The Jewel of The Weald” for ten and a half miles, through the unspoilt countryside of the Rother Valley, to terminate in the shadow of the magnificent National Trust castle at Bodiam.
http://www.kesr.org.uk
Set in the heart of an historic landscape, with spiral staircases, battlements and a portcullis, 14th century Bodiam Castle is one of Britain’s most picturesque and romantic ancient monuments. Windows where arrows were once shot, a tower that was once a look-out and ruins that were once walked upon by knights; this is a place where you can relive your childhood memories and let your imagination run riot.
Relax in our picturesque garden with the glorious backdrop of our fairytale castle. Venture into the wonderful woodland and parkland with over 770 acres to explore. Discover the delights of our Victorian country mansion with its secrets and stories; you might meet our much loved cat in residence ‘Puss Puss’.
20 minutes – Rye Castle, also known as Ypres Tower, was built in 1249. It was Henry III who gave permission for the castle to be built as part of the defence against the frequent raids by the French.
The town of Battle was gradually built around the Abbey, and later developed a reputation for the quality of the gunpowder produced in the area. In the mid 18th century, the town supported five watchmakers in the High Street. Today, Battle is known as a tourist destination.
The local bonfire society, Battle Bonfire Boys, is claimed to be the oldest of the Sussex Bonfire Societies. The importance of Bonfire Night in Battle is that it is located in the wooded Weald of Sussex. Most of the area was heavily wooded, which provided oak and other timbers for Navy Shipyards, power for making cannons (shipped to Portsmouth or Chatham), cannonballs and gunpowder.
Battle was the birthplace in 1799 of Eliza Acton, author of the pioneering cookery book Modern Cookery for Private Families (1845) This continued to sell well for the rest of the century. Its lists of ingredients, cooking times and other innovations also provided a model for the cookery section of the bestselling Mrs Beeton’s Book of Household Management (1861).[4]
Battle was a refuge in World War I, and tunnels still exist, leading from various.
25 minutes – Bayham Abbey makes a fascinating day out on the Kent-Sussex border. The impressive ruins, built from golden local sandstone, include much of the 13th to 15th-century church, the chapter house, and a picturesque 14th-century gatehouse.
http://www.english-heritage.org.uk/visit/places/bayham-old-abbey
15 minutes – ‘That’s She! The Only She! Make an honest woman of her – quick!’ was how Rudyard Kipling and his wife, Carrie, felt the first time they saw Bateman’s. Surrounded by the wooded landscape of the Sussex Weald, this 17th century house with its mullioned windows and oak beams provided a much-needed sanctuary to this world-famous writer.
20 minutes – Camber Sands is the beach at the village of Camber. It is the only sand dune system in East Sussex.
https://new.eastsussex.gov.uk/environment/conservation/ryebay/camber
Home of Cycling at Bedgebury
Just make the most of your day
With over three hundred bikes available Consultancy to hire for both on or off-site use, you can guarantee that we’ll have a bike that will fit you. Regardless of your age or ability, our expert staff will fit you with the right bike and equipment you need to ride off safely to a day out you won’t forget.
15 minutes away – Bewl Water Country Park is a place to walk, picnic, cycle, ride, entertain the family or simply unwind and relax. Cycle and horse riding track open from spring to October.
20 minutes – The Pinetum is renowned as a beautiful and tranquil place to walk. You are welcome to walk anywhere so you can enjoy the trees and shrubs close up. The forest is available for longer walks.
5 minutes – This uniquely quiet and tranquil venue on the border of Kent and Sussex is the perfect location for the big fish hunter, match angler and the pleasure angler alike. There are huge carp in three of the four lakes and plenty of them for the specimen hunter. There are also three junior course ponds for children and adults of all abilities, with tackle available to hire.
5 minutes – At Slap ‘n Dash adults, teens and children of all ages are welcome to drop in at any time during opening hours. Customers simply select a ceramic piece, choose a design and paint. Slap ‘n Dash provide everything for the artistically challenged, including stamps, stencils, sponges, and idea books. The art is then glazed and fired and you return to collect the item a week later.
Take to the trees and speed down zip slides. They’re part of an ardrenalin filled course of rope bridges, Tarzan swings and crossings; all set up to 120 feet above the forest floor.
15 minutes – This is the National Centre for Miniature Golf in the UK and the home of the World Crazy Golf Championships every October. Hastings Adventure Golf is a complex of no less than three 18-hole miniature golf courses, providing facilities suitable for players of all ages.
15 minutes – St Clement’s Caves were formed around 14,000 BC, during the last Ice Age. Ever since, these mysterious caves have had a fascinating part to play in the history of the area.
St Clement’s Caves have served as a home, a hospital, an air-raid shelter and a ballroom and over their long history have been visited by everyone from The Rolling Stones to royalty.
15 minutes – Journey through naturally themed habitats, including an underwater tunnel with sharks and reef fish.
Battle Paintball – We welcome groups or small parties of all sizes. Games at Battle Paintball are perfect for stag and hen parties, kids (aged 11+), adult birthday parties, office outings or even for those who are just looking to come and experience paintball for the first time.
In Hawkhurst (5 minutes) and Rye (20 minutes) – A truly independent repertory cinema. This was the first digital cinema in the UK, and took advantage of the technology to show half a dozen different films each week. The cinema is small and holds less than 100 seats. It was a Victorian village hall, and converted by ‘skinning’ the inside to create an inner capsule which is a very modern cinema inside an old building. The cinema has some of the most comfortable seats anywhere and they are specially imported from New Zealand. They also allow you to take wine in. www.kinodigital.co.uk