Itinerary Summary
1 Morning
Pashley Manor Gardens
Your 1066 Country trail starts in spectacular fashion amid 11 award-winning acres of beautiful borders and vistas. Located in easternmost East Sussex, Pashley Manor is the culmination of one family’s passion for gardening, eye for beauty and admiration of English gardening traditions. A visit offers all the ingredients of the English Country Garden – sweeping herbaceous borders, ha-ha, manicured lawns, box hedges, espaliered rose walk, historic walled garden, inspiring kitchen garden, venerable trees and the Grade I listed house as a backdrop.
Pashley Manor Gardens
1 Lunch
The Bell, Ticehurst
The Bell is an unmissably quirky pub with rooms in the heart of the ancient village of Ticehurst. Drop in, steep yourself in Sussex history and be welcomed as a local at this ‘home from home for everyone’. The Bell’s story stretches back as far as 1560. Over the centuries it has been remodelled and extended with additions of bedrooms, kitchen and an assembly room hosting an eclectic mix of comedy, music, art and even debates. This is a one-off inn celebrating pub culture of the most uncommon kind.
The Bell in Ticehurst
1 Afternoon
Wild Iris Spa at Flimwell Park
Flimwell Park is a pioneering new mixed-use centre set in 46 acres of ancient woodland, in the heart of the glorious wild garden that is East Sussex. There are some exciting gourmet developments in the pipeline that we can’t share with you just yet...but the Wild Iris Spa gives you every reason to visit in the meantime. The spa ethos is pure, natural and luxe; the experience and the setting will stay with you for a very long time.
Wild Iris Spa at Flimwell Park
1 Evening
Supper hamper from Weald Smokery
For your evening meal, may we present a hamper overflowing with traditionally smoked foods created with passion, pride and care? Award-winning Weald Smokery’s very modern dedication to the traditional craft of smoked foods makes it one of the best-regarded artisan food producers in the UK. Order a pre-selected hamper, or create your own, and savour the unique flavours of the Weald, sourced from the best local suppliers.
The Weald Smokery
1 Overnight
Glamping at Oastbrook
End your first day in 1066 Country under the most stylish canvas imaginable. Sussex Modern wine partner Oastbrook has spared no expense in its glamping experience – designed with escape in mind. The concept is 5* luxury under the stars, with private concierge, bespoke experiences and Oastbrook Estate wines on offer during your stay. The spectacular setting, among the vines and overlooked by Bodiam Castle in the beautiful Rother Valley, will make for a memorable night’s stay.
Glamping at Oastbrook
2 Morning
Webbe’s Rock-a-nore Source to Sauce Cookery Morning
Start your second day in the freshest way possible. Arrive at Webbe’s Rock-a-nore in Hastings at 9am then make your way to the local fish market to choose from the day’s catch. After that, it’s back to the restaurant-classroom to learn how to prepare and fillet your fish under the expert supervision of chef Paul Webbe. There are tips and skills on offer for novice and experienced foodies alike. Better still, the class will take you through to a prepared lunch and your chance to enjoy some of the best fish and seafood on the South Coast.
Webbe’s Rock-a-nore
2 Afternoon
Hastings Country Park Nature Reserve
On your journey back to Hastings Old Town, be sure to stop off at this fabulous nature reserve and the stunning views it offers over the East Sussex coast. Hastings Country Park is made up of over 850 acres of ancient gill woodland, heathland, grassland and farmland, set alongside 5km of dramatic sandstone cliffs and coastline. Conservation grazing and sustainable management help to make this one of the most important nature reserves in the UK, rich in biodiversity and fascinating to explore.
Hastings Country Park
2 Evening
Dine at The Crown in Hastings Old Town
The venue for your evening meal could not be more conveniently located. The Crown is an independently-run free house at the foot of the country park, a stone's throw away from the beach. The atmosphere is friendly and informal, with fresh flowers on the tables and an ever-changing exhibitions of art, sculpture and photography on show. The food is locally sourced and seasonal; the drinks selection runs from local ales and craft beers to Sussex wines from the nearby Oxney and Tillingham estates.
The Crown, Hastings
2 Overnight
Stay at The Old Rectory
On the edge of historic Hastings Old Town, this gorgeous contemporary house and walled garden makes for a relaxed yet luxurious stay. Its bijou rooms and boutique vibe have made The Old Rectory one of Conde Nast Traveller’s favourite affordable hotels. If you want a slice of the very best of the locale, you’ll find it here, from showcases of Hastings and St Leonards artists and designers to delicious locally sourced breakfasts.
The Old Rectory
3 Morning
Rye Harbour Nature Reserve
Sussex Wildlife Trust’s extraordinary nature reserve is a 465-hectare mosaic of coastal habitats – shingle, saltmarsh, saline lagoons, grazing marsh, freshwater ditches, gravel pits and reedbeds. It's home to 4,500 types of plant and animal, including over 300 nationally rare or endangered species. To watch and enjoy these wildlife experiences you can explore much of the site through a network of paths with five birdwatching hides, accessible to most wheelchairs. The natural way to start your third and final day in 1066 Country!
Rye Harbour Nature Reserve
3 Lunch
Tour, tasting and vineyard picnic at Oxney Organic Estate
Oxney Organic Estate, near Rye, is the largest single estate organic vineyard in the UK, producing award-winning still and sparkling wines. Part of an 850-acre organic family farming estate, the vineyard surrounds the beautiful winery/shop and hosts popular tastings, tours and lunches. Oxney Organic is a Sussex Modern wine partner.
Oxney Organic Estate
3 Afternoon
The Garden Tour at Great Dixter
Great Dixter was the family home of gardener and gardening writer Christopher Lloyd. It was the focus of his energy and enthusiasm, fuelling over 40 years of books and articles. Now under the stewardship of the Great Dixter Charitable Trust and Christopher’s friend and head gardener, Fergus Garrett, Great Dixter is an historic house, garden, centre of education and place of pilgrimage for horticulturists worldwide.
Great Dixter
3 Evening
Dine at Tillingham
Make your final evening in 1066 Country one to remember. Sussex Modern partner Tillingham is arguably England’s most adventurous wine producer, set among 70 acres of rolling hills and woodlands with far-reaching views along the Tillingham river valley. In addition to a dazzling collection of natural and biodynamic wines (available to buy in the bottle shop), Tillingham offers several dining options in its restaurant, bar and outdoor eating area. All offer glorious views of the vineyards and picture-postcard countryside beyond.
Tillingham
3 Overnight
Glamping at Swallowtail Hill
Set in 40 idyllic acres of wildflower meadow and woodland, Swallowtail Hill offers the perfect setting for the glammest of glamping stays. Arrive ready to unwind: you'll quickly discover that the farm is the perfect place to enjoy the countryside and take life slowly for a while. It's a climate-neutral, off-grid little haven from non-stop lifestyles - a place to unplug, digitally detox, breathe deeply and relax. You’ll discover traditional wildflower meadows, ancient woodland, hedgerows old and new, ponds and reed beds; all encouraging biodiversity and creating a landscape rich in colour, life and vibrancy.
