Local to Us
Before you arrive we will provide you with an app which will not only provide you with lots of information about the yurt but also about all the fabulous places you can visit around us.
Being based in East Sussex means that there is no shortage of places to go, things to do, events to attend and fantastic places to eat. You'll find one visit just won't be enough! The places below set out some just to get you started.
The farm is a quiet haven away from it all and the birds and wildlife can be seen and heard as you sit outside. There are many good walks from the farm and surrounding country. There are also a fair few pubs which you can plan your walk around too! The farm can be easily found with Graywood signed from East Hoathly village.
In East Hoathly Village (3km away) there is a village shop and Post Office, a hairdressers, a popular cafe and 2 pubs. There is a park with a children's playground and the village cricket team can be found playing there on a Sunday afternoon. The church is Grade II Listed and the tower is 15th Century. There is a GP surgery in the village which is joined with the nearby Buxted surgery providing total coverage. There is a bus service South to Brighton or Eastbourne or North to Uckfield. Uckfield (9km away) has a train station which provides a regular service to London Bridge in just over an hour.
In Halland you will find a pub and Mexican restaurant and a very good garden centre - Staverton Nursery which also has a shop, including Cook frozen meals and a cafe.
In the other direction is Waldron Village with its beautiful church, pub and village store. There is also a park with a children's playground and the village cricket team venture out on Sundays.
Lewes, an historic market town which is also the county town of East Sussex is only 14km from us. Lewes is a lovely place to visit with the River Ouse running through the town and a colourful mix of cafes and antique shops.
Brighton is 29km away offering a cosmopolitan city on the coast with theatres, shopping in the Lanes and the famous Pavilion.
The Spa town of Tunbridge Wells is 32km away, with great shopping and the historic Pantiles to offer interest.
London is only a direct train ride away on the Uckfield to London Bridge Line.
More details on Lewes, Brighton and Tunbridge Wells can be found on the Places to Visit page below.
Airport - Gatwick 46km
Ferry - Newhaven 24km
Train Station - Uckfield 9 km
Where today?
Graywood Canvas Cottages is in the heart of the East Sussex countryside and there are many places to visit in the surrounding area. Below are a few of the most popular attractions:
Michelham Priory - Just 16 minutes away, is a Tudor house and gardens set on a private island within England's largest medieval water-filled moat. Also known for being haunted it is a regular for ghost hunts.
Sheffield Park Gardens (National Trust) Beautiful gardens set in parkland.
Bluebell Railway Steam trains running from Sheffield Park through to East Grinstead.
Alfriston Clergy House (National Trust) Medieval thatched Wealden hall-house with garden.
Seven Sisters Country Park and Beachy Head Country Park with walks along chalky cliffs and meandering rivers.
Batemans (National Trust) Jacobean House, home of Rudyard Kipling.
Bodiam Castle (National Trust) Moated castle with ruined interior.
Battle Abbey Battlefield from 1066.
Hurstmonceux Castle Grounds only - many different gardens and often special events.
Rye - A beautiful fishing village with lots of unusual shops and tea rooms.
Hastings - The seaside resort of Hastings has several attractions allowing a full and varied day out. The Smugglers Adventure takes you deep into the old caves and recounts smuggler stories of long ago. Hastings castle over looks the sea and tells the story of the Battle of Hastings. A trip up the cliffs on the Cliff Railway is a great favourite with the children, especially when there is an ice cream at the top. The Blue Reef Aquarium on the seafront houses provides a good collection of fish from the UK and the rest of the world. Alexandra Park is considered one of the best in East Sussex. A wander round the old town for a little shopping and cafes can easily find a couple of hours disappearing or mix in some crazy golf on the front.
Pooh Sticks Bridge - located near Hartfield on the beautiful Ashdown forest is the legendary bridge where Winnie-the-Pooh played Pooh Sticks with Christopher Robin.
Drusillas Small Animal Zoo - one of the best small animal zoos in the country, Drusillas has a mix of playgrounds, indoor climbing area, Thomas the Tank Engine ride, Hello Kitty world alongside an extensive collection of small animals which children can explore whilst completing some of the challenges throughout the zoo.
Eastbourne - 30 mins away is the seaside resort of Eastbourne. With its pier and beautiful gardens this town is popular with all ages. Eastbourne miniature railway is a hit with the children with an opportunity to ride on the steam trains around the parkland. On the seafront there are two fun parks for the children - Fort fun and Treasure Island. An open top bus tour can be taken or the town's Dotto train operates along the seafront during the summer months. The highlights of the year are Airbourne - a free airshow which takes place over the sea and the Tennis at Devonshire Park just prior to Wimbledon. There are several theatres with performances running throughout the year which are worth checking out.
Birling Gap (National Trust) is the best place for rock pooling. Check the tide times first though.
Lewes - Historic market town with a river flowing through its centre. The castle at the top of the town is open to visitors and there is the Barbican Museum close by. Anne of Cleves House which was part of the settlement from her divorce from King Henry VIII is also located in Lewes and can be visited at specific times. Harvey's Brewery is on the bank of the river and it has been in the town since the 18th Century. Their beers can be bought from their shop in the Cliffe High Street. On the first Saturday in the month there is a good Farmers' Market.
Brighton - The easily recognisable Pavilion is a favourite in Brighton with everyone. The pier is a draw for youngsters but be warned, rides can easily empty your pockets in more than one way! The famous Lanes provide interesting shopping whilst Churchill Square houses many of the usual suspects. If you fancy a day at the races Brighton can offer both horse racing and greyhound racing.
Camber Sands - If you are after a sandy beach then this will be your answer. Many of the local beaches are pebbles with patches of sand but as the name suggests, it's miles of sand here - especially when the tide is out.
Glyndebourne - Famous for the Opera House there are beautiful grounds as well as many performances across the year. The ultimate experience is in July which is the prestigious Glyndebourne Festival.
There is great range of places to choose from when looking for something tasty. The list belows shows some of the best and the variety available:
The Kings Head - East Hoathly
Spade and Spoon - in Staverton Nursery
Buffalo Bills - Mexican
Rajdutt - Indian Food
The Star - Waldron
Pilio Bistro - Greek Food
The Star - Old Heathfield
The surrounding area offers many opportunities for things to do. Listed below are just some options which may give you some ideas whether wet or fair.
Pottery Painting - Close by is Masterpiece at Whitesmith.
Swimming - Uckfield Leisure Centre, Sovereign Centre Eastbourne (wave machine) - check times before going as the pools are often used by local schools
Trampolining - Urban jump - trampolining, adventure and soft play
Cycling - South Downs Way, Cuckoo Trail and more. Routes can be found here.
Walking - There are many walks locally and further information is provided within the yurt's information folders.
Play Barn - Monkey Buziness
Farms - Blackberry Farm
Cinemas - Uckfield Picture House, Hailsham Pavilion,
The Depot - Lewes, Cineworld - Eastbourne
Theatres - Assembly Hall - Tunbridge Wells, 3 theatres - Eastbourne, Theatre Royal Brighton
Golf - East Sussex National Golf Course, Horam Golf Club and Range
Paddleboarding - Buzz Active - Eastbourne or Cuckmere Haven or Kite surfing, Paddleboarding, Wingsurf/foil lessons with Be-Rad
Zip line and ariel park - Branching Out - Halland
10 pin bowling - Eastbourne 10 pin and Hailsham Leisure Centre - 10 pin also has Laser tag
