Lewes

Lewes, the county town of East Sussex, has a long and varied heritage. It was the Saxons who first established a settlement of any significance here on a hill, overlooking the River Ouse and the Norman’s who built a castle to protect the valley. The Barbican and the keep are still standing and nearby 16th century Barbican House has been converted into an archaeological museum.

Narrow, medieval streets twist and wind their way down the hillside and are linked by little lanes that are known as ‘twittens’ in Sussex. Anne of Cleeves House stands in Southover Street and houses a local folk museum. Henry VIII gave his fourth wife this property, along with several others, as part of their divorce settlement in 1541.

It is a decidedly attractive and affluent town and the choice of shops on Cliffe High Street reflect this. Towards the top is the famous impossibly steep and cobbled Keere Street, which is a challenge to walk up.