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From staying in an lovely shepherd’s hut to swinging by means of the timber, visiting a historic fortress and getting out on the water, this East Sussex glamping vacation is ideal for these in search of a weekend break with a distinction.
A number of weeks in the past, we took a drive all the way down to 1066 Country – an space of East Sussex and Kent that we completely adore. The landscapes are lovely, with lush countryside main all the way in which to the south coast. There are quirky cities, image excellent villages and plenty of cool actions too.
Bedgebury Pinetum is a beautiful place to go to in your East Sussex glamping vacation
It’s additionally an incredible area for food and drinks. Contemporary fish and seafood is on the doorstep, and as you drive by means of the area, you’ll cross farmland, vineyards and orchards. With a lot nice produce on the doorstep, it’s simple to see why the realm has developed a prime meals scene.
Nonetheless, quite than a typical staycation, this journey was a bit of totally different. Neglect motels or B&Bs, we needed to strive a few of the space’s quirky lodging. Sure, we have been going glamping in East Sussex! So, time to inform you about our idyllic break within the area, plus the lowdown on our cute glamping expertise too.
Prepared for the highlights of my East Sussex staycation?
Information To Going On An East Sussex Glamping Vacation
Keep in quirky lodging at The Unique Hut Firm
Once I advised associates that we have been going glamping in East Sussex, they assumed we’d be staying in bell tents, safari tents or yurts. However no, our expertise was even cuter! We checked in at The Unique Hut Firm in Bodiam and have been proven to our very personal shepherd’s hut down by the river.
Drinks exterior our shepherd’s hut in Bodiam – the most effective locations for glamping in East Sussex
What a setting! Our hut appeared out in direction of Bodiam Fortress and was moments from the River Rother. I’d needed to remain in a shepherd’s hut for some time. Experiences like this have gotten widespread within the UK, however not all are in places as spectacular as this.
East Sussex glamping doesn’t get higher than this! Lovely night at our shepherd’s hut
You’re most likely questioning what a shepherd’s hut is like inside. The most important shock for me was how spacious it was. Ours slept 5, with 2 double beds (the kitchen desk converts to a mattress) and a single mattress. In case you have children, this may work for a singular household break.
There’s a kitchenette with gasoline hob, faucet with ingesting water and a eating space. For stays throughout colder months, there’s a fireplace to heat up the shepherd’s hut too.
Inside our shepherd’s hut at The Unique Hut Firm, Bodiam
How’s this for an East Sussex glamping vacation?
Inside our shepherd’s hut at The Unique Hut Firm, Bodiam
Outdoors is a picnic bench and a campfire – the proper spot for a BBQ or to toast some marshmallows.
By way of services, there’s a block containing bogs and showers moments from the hut. They have been good and clear, plus the showers have been scorching, so no complaints there!
Together with the glamping website, The Unique Hut Firm has common tenting areas too, and it was clear from our go to that it’s one of the vital widespread campsites in Bodiam. It’s significantly helpful as you may get out on the water shut by, hiring kayaks or paddle boards from the crew at Epic Life.
One of many greatest promoting factors to staying right here? The Hub! Sure, there’s an incredible café on website the place you possibly can get pleasure from breakfast, lunch, dinner, gentle snacks, coffees, a glass of wine or no matter you fancy. There’s additionally a big out of doors space the place you possibly can sit exterior.
The Hub, Bodiam
After a busy day exploring the area, we stopped at The Hub for a drink and watched a scorching air balloon take off from the grounds!
My favorite expertise on our East Sussex glamping vacation was the BBQ we had exterior our shepherd’s hut. Making a fireplace, watching the burgers and sausages sizzle, toasting marshmallows and having fun with the views and the woody scent of the campfire was magical. Added to that, the celebs placed on a twinkly present for us that night too. What a romantic staycation!
BBQ time at our shepherd’s hut whereas glamping in East Sussex
It’s price noting that The Unique Hut Firm provides hampers containing BBQ and breakfast components, so that you don’t should convey a lot with you. In addition they have loads of objects accessible for buy in The Hub too.
Go to Bedgebury Pinetum and Forest
Bedgebury Pinetum is a wonderful place to go to when you like strolling, biking, or one thing a bit of extra adventurous! The Nationwide Pinetum is residence to over 12,000 timber and several other strolling and biking trails. In essence, it’s a beautiful place to spend a day having fun with the nice outside.
Bedgebury Pinetum – one of many prettiest spots within the area
Go strolling in Bedgebury Pinetum
I went for an extended stroll round Bedgebury Pinetum, taking in views of the world-leading assortment of conifers and Marshall’s Lake. My favorite spot was the conifer cathedral – a row of tall conifers with a slender path within the center. In the event you love images, it’s an incredible spot! Simply have a look at it…
Strolling by means of the conifer cathedral at Bedgebury Pinetum
Go mountain biking by means of the forests
That is additionally a very widespread spot for cyclists. The forests are residence to 10km of household cycle tracks and over 13km of single-track trails. Getting out on two wheels is a wonderful means to soak up the environment.
Among the trails present an exhilarating expertise, with difficult climbs, steep descents and jumps. They cross by means of lovely forests and will certainly get your adrenaline pumping!
Mountain biking in Bedgebury Pinetum and Forest – an incredible addition to an East Sussex vacation
In the event you don’t fancy bringing your individual bike, you possibly can rent one from Quench Cycles. They’ve a retailer situated by the automotive park, and have been actually useful once we requested for recommendation about the correct trails for us!
Swing by means of the timber at Go Ape Bedgebury
As if the strolling and biking trails weren’t sufficient to maintain you busy at Bedgebury Pinetum, it’s time to see the landscapes from the dizzy heights of the tree tops!
Go Ape Bedgebury – a very enjoyable exercise for all of the household
I cherished taking over the Treetop Problem – a 2-and-a-half-hour course that features zip strains, cargo nets and even a scary Tarzan swing! It’s a good way to immerse your self in the fantastic thing about the forest, whereas difficult your self.
There’s a Treetop Journey choice for smaller children too, making this an incredible exercise for households visiting 1066 Nation.
One among my private highlights of our East Sussex vacation – Go Ape Bedgebury
Go paddle boarding at Bodiam Boating Station
One among my favorite actions to do on my travels is get up paddle boarding. I discover it so peaceable and stress-free. It engages your core and thoughts, and is the proper solution to change off from the stresses of each day life.
Paddle boarding from Bodiam Boating Station – a beautiful exercise so as to add to your East Sussex glamping journey
I adore it a lot, I contemplated shopping for my very own board, earlier than realising that the one place I might use it close to to my flat could be the River Thames! Not fairly as interesting…
Fortunately, East Sussex has numerous picturesque locations to go for a paddle. We employed boards from Bodiam Boating Station in Northiam and went for a leisurely paddle alongside the River Rother. Blue skies and sunshine surrounded us, as we ventured in direction of the beautiful village, passing rowing boats and fishing boats alongside the way in which.
Paddle boarding on the River Rother in East Sussex
In the event you’re a bit of unsteady on a SUP, Bodiam Boating Station additionally hire out rowing boats, kayaks and canoes. Head upstream, and you may even attain Bodiam Fortress. It’s over 3 miles away although, so not for the faint hearted!
Conveniently, there’s a café on website on the boating station, so you possibly can seize lunch or a cuppa earlier than or after your journey. After we visited, Lime Wharf Café was providing a particular burger menu, however I do know their commonplace menu options quite a lot of tasty tapas dishes. If the climate is sweet, the backyard setting may be very cute too!
Cease for lunch at Lime Wharf Cafe, Northiam
Discover Bodiam Fortress
Have you ever ever seen a extra excellent fortress? Bodiam Fortress is among the hottest locations to go to in East Sussex, and dates again to the 14th Century. It has a moat and turrets, and is in a spectacular setting with the River Rother flowing previous. It’s owned by the National Trust and is open to the general public.
Bodiam Fortress – one of the vital widespread locations to go to in East Sussex
It was inbuilt 1385 by a former knight of Edward III, to defend the realm towards French invasion in the course of the Hundred Years’ Battle.
After crossing the bridge over the moat and beneath the unique portcullis, you possibly can wander across the ruins inside. Search for and also you would possibly even spot one of many resident bats! Fascinatingly, a few of Bodiam Fortress’s towers are closed as a result of they’re residence to one of the vital essential bat roosts in south east England.
Beloved exploring Bodiam Fortress in East Sussex
Go on a wine tour
One of many highlights of my East Sussex glamping vacation was the day we spent with Vine and Country Tours – an award profitable native tour firm specialising in meals and wine experiences within the area. Jamie and Steph who run the corporate have a lot ardour for his or her lovely nook of England, and love showcasing the realm through the nice produce on supply… and sure, that features the wine!
Exploring Gusbourne Property on a wine tour
We loved a tour of Gusbourne, a winery in Appeldore, Kent which produces award-winning English glowing wines. Strolling alongside the neat rows of vines, with grapes dangling down nearly prepared for harvesting, offers you a brand new degree of appreciation for what the gifted English winemakers do.
After studying all concerning the manufacturing course of we sat all the way down to style a couple of of one of the best sellers: Gusbourne Rosé, Brut Reserve and Blanc de Blancs. I’m a giant fan of English glowing wine, and adored Gusbourne’s Rosé specifically – very crisp and chic.
Wine tasting session at Gusbourne Property in 1066 Nation
Then, it was time to feast, and wow do Vine and Nation Excursions know methods to put collectively a scrumptious desk of meals! A number of beautifully-presented dishes arrived at our desk, all utilising native, seasonal components. The beetroot tartare, with blackberries picked on Gusbourne’s land, was heavenly, and had us reaching for seconds… and thirds!
Jamie from Vine & Nation Excursions telling us concerning the meals
The tarte tatin made with courgettes and tomatoes was scrumptious too, as was the summer time salad of peaches, tomatoes, feta and croutons – a recipe I’d be eager to recreate at residence!
A scrumptious lunch ready by Vine & Nation Excursions
The good meals was accompanied by Gusbourne’s nonetheless wines – a chardonnay and a pinot noir, which had simply gained gold medals on the prestigious Wine GB Awards.
This winery expertise was one among my favorite actions in 1066 Nation, and one thing I’d wholeheartedly advocate when you’re planning a vacation in East Sussex or Kent.
Get pleasure from a connoisseur dinner at The Curlew
In the event you’re in search of a connoisseur eating expertise throughout your East Sussex vacation, I’d advocate reserving a desk at The Curlew. Whereas the skin might seem like a pub, the meals here’s a departure from gastropub delicacies.
A whole lot of the components are grown regionally or foraged inside the Kent and East Sussex countryside, so you possibly can count on the menu to mirror the season.
Personally, I used to be excited to see a menu of small plates. I like consuming at locations the place you get to share a spread of dishes, and revel in quite a lot of tastes and flavours. There are a couple of bigger dishes which might swimsuit larger teams too.
Dinner at The Curlew – one of the vital widespread locations to go to in East Sussex
From meaty pork dumplings with a critically dunkable Asian dipping sauce, to an earthy beetroot dish with three varieties of the foundation vegetable, it was a beautiful night of leisure. Our favorite dishes have been the roast hake which got here with a shellfish sauce, and the miso cod which was served with samphire and a buttery seaweed emulsion. Completely divine!
The meringue with sea buckthorn was a tasty solution to end the meal too. Such clear, easy and enticing presentation.
An important dinner at The Curlew, Bodiam
The tough bit could also be getting a desk! Undoubtedly ebook properly prematurely when you can, as this is among the prime eating places in East Sussex proper now.
I hope you’ve loved studying about my expertise glamping in East Sussex, and a few of the particular locations I found throughout my journey. This can be a lovely a part of England and an easy weekend getaway from London too. We visited in direction of the top of the summer time, however this may be a fab weekend break from London in the course of the autumn and spring too. You can even get pleasure from it within the winter months when you wrap up heat (and add a moist swimsuit if you’re doing the water actions!)
An enormous because of 1066 Nation for inviting me to expertise this British staycation. Remember to try the 1066 Country web site for loads of journey inspiration and suggestions for different locations to go to.
In the event you’re in search of different locations to go to on this a part of England, check out my information to Hastings, some quirky issues to do in Hastings, plus my Brighton weekend information. Or head over to the Nice British Bucket Listing to examine one among our favorite walks in East Sussex – the Eastbourne to Beachy Head walk.
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