As some of you already know, I recently spent some time in Lewes, Sussex and had the opportunity to take some lovely walks. You will also remember that it wasn’t too long ago when I wrote about ‘Historical Lewes‘ so I hope you don’t think I’m repeating myself here.
I thought it would be nice to take you on one of my walks and show you some more of the sights of this delightful town and at the same time I can share some more windows for Dawn’s A Lingering Look at Windows challenge.
I also thought it would be nice to share this walk with my friend Jo over at restlessjo who takes us on the most wonderful walks every Monday.
If you don’t know these two lovely ladies by now then I’m sure they will be thrilled to see you and you will love their photographs of their travels and adventures.
So, with street map in hand, let’s set off for our walk through the town of Lewes. Ready? Good! Then let’s get going on this glorious, English spring day.
Starting off at the top of the road we head towards a short cut just along from here crossing over to the right-hand side. The trees are just beginning to come into blossom and it’s nice to see the newly mown verges.
Some lovely signs of spring well underway as we walk on.
You can see we’re fairly high up as you catch a glimpse of those instantly recognisable chalky Sussex South Downs. Some beautiful walks can be taken up there I can assure you!
The South Downs, Lewes
Before we start to walk down towards the river we have to decide which path to choose. Left or right? Hmmm. Not as if we’ve ever had to make that choice before…
The path to the left it is then. It’s a steep walk down (and an even steeper one walking back up, be warned; my photo doesn’t do it justice). At the bottom we turn right and walk under a bridge, which, I understand is very spooky at night. There seems to be a definite atmosphere about it don’t you think?
. Spooky Bridge, Lewes, Sussex
Down by the river at last and a lovely, spring walk alongside it.
Walking along the path now with the River Ouse to our right, we are approaching the famed Harvey’s Brewery which has been making Sussex Bitter Ale since the 1700s. Not my favourite, I prefer wine (bubbly will do nicely too) but the ale, I hear, is excellent. If there’s time, you can pop back after our walk for a quick half, or pint as the case may be.
Now we are in the actual town of Lewes and our long, uphill climb along the high street begins. On the way, we can take in the view from the small bridge which connects both ends of the high street and stop to linger at a few shop windows.
This window, you’ll agree I’m sure, is magnificent. Just look at that antique copper bath. It’s going for a cool £4,000. What’s that in dollars? A lot of money, that’s for sure!
Antique shop, Lewes High Street, Sussex
(c) copyright Sherri Matthews 2014
Just up ahead is a well-placed map of Lewes showing all the public rights of way should we get lost. With my map reading I would say the chances are fairly high that could happen. I blame it on being left-handed. Still, you trust me, don’t you?
Town map, Lewes, Sussex (c) Sherri Matthews 2014
Once at the top of the town, we can turn back for this view of the War Memorial against the backdrop of the edge of the Downs and see how far we’ve come. The Memorial was unveiled in 1922.
Not too tired yet, I hope!
War Memorial, Lewes, Sussex
(c) Copyright Sherri Matthews 2014
Now for another short history lesson. We’ve found the Town Hall and the plaque which marks the place where the seventeen Protestant Martyrs were burned at the stake just yards from here between 1555 – 1557. You can read more about this here.
Part of the Town Hall is the Lewes Market Tower, as seen on this plaque.
Plaque for the Lewes Market Tower, Lewes, Sussex
(c) Sherri Matthews 2014
We are able to walk through the Market Tower’s archway leading to the other side of the street to continue our walk. You’ll be amazed when you stop to look at this mural with its accompanying description hung on the inside wall, especially for my American and French friends.
Coming through the Market Tower then, we change direction, which according to my handy-dandy little map will take us out of the high street and back down towards another part of the river. On the way we can linger at yet more delightful windows. I love the old sewing machines in the top windows. There’s also a cafe in this converted warehouse but it isn’t time to stop for a drink just yet! Just a little further…
Continuing down along the path the stunning Church of St John sub Castro seems to loom out of nowhere. Look at the cute sheep on top of the weather vain!
Walking past the church along the path and on the right hand side are the old swimming baths. Fancy a swim anyone?
Then, at last, we are almost back to the river but first we walk by The Pells, a delightful wooded area and pond, home to a variety of wildfowl, at the other end of town. Very pretty here isn’t it?
Now we are at another bridge and, according to the map, at the end of our walk. Faced with two choices, which way shall we go? To the left and keep walking along the river or over the bridge and back home? Decisions, decisions!
Had enough? Me too. I’m going to leave the rest of the river walk for another day. Time to head home for a lovely cup of tea. Anyone care to join me? Great! Oh, and the good news for those of you who fancy a pint, we’ve come full circle so Harvey’s Brewery is only a short walk away, across the bridge and down to the right.
I hope you all enjoyed your walk with me through Lewes! Make sure to turn up for Jo’s walk on Monday, I’m sure she has a real treat in store for us. Have a great weekend everyone and I’ll catch up with you soon 🙂
A View From My Summerhouse 
What a fantastic afternoon treat Sherri! I’ve gone on a lovely walk and didn’t even need to leave my computer 🙂 Such wonderful signs of spring with the daffodils and buds on the trees. I’m also intrigued by the old sewing machines in the window. I’ve been pondering buying myself a sewing machine for quite some time now!
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Daffodils and sewing machines–two of my favorite things!
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Well I’m glad that you got these two here Tracy! Daffodils are so beautiful aren’t they? As you will see by my reply to Heather, I share your fond feelings for sewing machines 🙂
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So glad you enjoyed this walk on this lovely sunny afternoon, thank you so much Heather for coming along! I was so taken by the sewing machines in the window. They are all antiques, the warehouse used to be a sewing factory I believe. I still have my sewing machine, my mother-in-law (Crazy Grandma!) gave it to me as a present not long after I first moved to the States, it was my first one other than my pretend ‘Little Betty’ miniature one I had as a girl! I have to use it now with a transformer to step down the electricity but it does the trick and I am rather fond of it!
I hope you get your sewing machine soon 🙂
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Sherri, you brought back memories of my trip to Devon — the hilly streets and all of the shops! I so enjoyed your tour today. I wonder if the Harvey brewers are any relation to me, huh? 🙂
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Yes, I can see why Bev! Devon of course is full of little shops like these and the most delightful towns. We don’t live far from Devon and need to visit more often. Funny isn’t it that when a place is on your doorstep you tend not to go there much?!
Hmmm…well, you never know! Maybe the Harvey family are in your family line somewhere…wouldn’t that be a coincidence 🙂
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Thanks for letting us join you on such a beautiful walk, Sherri. I loved it. I was interested in the Tom Paine mural as he’s the author of one of my favourite quotes:
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Thanks so much for coming along Rachel, I thought you would enjoy the sights and sounds of Lewes! I love this quote by Tom Paine. I was amazed to see that he had been a resident of Lewes, I had no idea!
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Lovely walk, Sherri. I love the antique shops and windows — everything looks so quaint and green. I’m always fascinated how different things look in the places we live. I enjoyed it and, thank you, I’ll join you in a cup of tea. Have a great weekend! 🙂
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So glad you enjoyed the walk Pat! It was fun wasn’t it, stopping to linger at the lovely shop windows. When we complain about the rain here I do have to remind myself and others that that is why things are so green here! Now let’s go and have that cuppa…thanks so much and you have a great weekend too 🙂
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Enjoyed the walk with you, Sherri, and it’s fun to linger taking it all in. The rain sure makes a difference in it being green and how things grow. I’ve lived in both and each have their beauty. Cup of tea (coffee) sounds good about now. Happy Saturday 🙂
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Each do have their own beauty indeed, which is what makes those old world of ours so wonderful! Enjoyed our cup of tea/coffee very much, thanks Pat, and now here’s to a good week ahead 🙂
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Me too — will have to linger again and have a cup of tea/coffee, my friend. Happy Monday! 🙂
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🙂
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Well you have definitely sold Lewes to me – it looks wonderful and all those walks on the doorstep too! Some nice windows to linger over and a cool copper bath – if only! You had a lovely day for your walk, and I hope to see more 🙂
Have a lovely weekend.
Jude xx
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You would love it in Lewes. There are so many walks. We have done a Downs walk but hope to do more. Beautiful views as you can imagine. That copper bath is so cool isn’t it? If only is right! I think the shop owner caught me lurking outside the window drooling over it more than once, ha 😉
Hoping to visit Anne of Cleves House and the Windmill owned by Virginia Woolf in the summer so will post more then hopefully!
Thank you Jude, and you too, a nice sunny one I hope 🙂 xx
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It’s definitely not a ‘poor’ part of the world, is it Sherri.? Aspirational, from my point of view. The leafy green lanes look so soothing. Thank you so much for including me in your walk. I will save you to include next Monday, if you’re ok with that? Meantime, have a wonderful weekend. Big hug to you 🙂
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No, it isn’t Jo. Even the local Tesco prices are higher than ours in Somerset. I didn’t even dare to look in the estate agent’s windows, as I like to do. Dream on, right? It is a lovely area, no doubt about it and of course so easy to get to Brighton from there by bus or train so a very easy commute. Of course, Brighton isn’t exactly cheap either.
Still, I’m so glad you enjoyed this walk, thanks so much and for including me in your Monday walk posts, which I’m really enjoying!
Big hugs to you too Jo (hope you’re feeling better) and I hope you are enjoying a lovely weekend 🙂
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Such an enjoyable walk, Sherri! Thank you for taking us there…
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Thank you so much Amy for coming along, so glad you enjoyed it 🙂
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Well, since you’re the tour guide, Sherri, I say we head out for a pint!
Thank you for this lovely walk. I hope your next post takes us down the right side of the path.
Oh, Jo’s Monday walks are wonderful, a great way to start the week.
Enjoy your weekend, Sherri! xo
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HaHa! Right, you’re on…forget the cuppa, ha 😉
Actually, the beer I’m talking about here is the proper ale and is served warm (and bitter, hence the name!) which I’m not keen on at all but I do enjoy a nice cold ‘beer’ (what we call lager) on a hot, summer’s day. So let’s go…
I’m glad you enjoyed this walk, thank you so much Jill for coming along and yes, Jo’s Monday walks really do bring a lovely welcome to the week ahead!
I will have to see what is down the right hand side of the path for next time…
Thanks Jill, and I hope you and DfD are having a great weekend too 🙂 xo
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I’m ready for the lager…the ale, not so much. 🙂 Actually, just sitting at a table with you Sherri, would be more than enough. 🙂
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Ahh…I would love to just sit at a table with you too Jill 🙂 xo
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Thank you for taking me along on your glorious walk, Sherri. Lewes has just become my favorite place to walk in the spring. Each picture made me think “That’s my favorite,” each one! There’s no choosing; they’re a total experience. Thank you.
We had a high of 78 today, and the bright blue ski and the sun over the mountains was amazing. Everyone was outside, walking, working in their yards and clearing out flower beds. 3-5″ of snow is predicted to roll in on Sunday.
In this part of Colorado (Denver is a mile high, and we’re even higher…) we don’t dare plant flower beds or gardens until Mother’s Day for fear of frost. So I’ll enjoy the beauty of your pictures of Lewes!
Thanks, Sherri.
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Really glad you enjoyed our walk through Lewes Marylin, thank you so much for coming! We had fun didn’t we?
Now that’s warm! How lovely to go outside after a long, cold winter and feel the glorious sun on your face and what beauty of those mountains. I can only imagine…
Yet, more snow you say? Crazy!!! I can understand why you have to wait until Mother’s Day. You are so high up, wow!
We can never tell here either. We can have a day such as this one in March and then snow in April just when everything is coming into bloom. I’ve even known it snow in June! We daren’t put out our hanging baskets and bedding plants until the end of May when the threat of frost has passed but it’s easy to be deceived by days like these. Anything could happen. Having said that, this year we are all amazed that our geraniums have survived what has been an exceptionally wet but mild winter and spring. Not normal and rather unsettling…
Hope the snow doesn’t cause too many problems and that you enjoy a lovely weekend no matter what the weather 🙂
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Came back for another walk in the sunshine. It’s miserable here today (I seem to have my own personal cloud) 🙂
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Ahh, I will Jo 🙂 It’s overcast here in Somerset too although no rain. Yet. I hope your skies clear soon and the sun shines on you wherever you go, at least in your heart! Hugs to you 🙂
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Nice walk and great photos, Sherri.
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Thank you very much Tom, really glad you enjoyed the walk 🙂
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What a lovely walk and great pictures, Sherri. You really are a very good guide and make the whole experience very interesting. Thank you. I look forward to visiting Lewes in the near future.
love and SPBs xxxxxx
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Glad you enjoyed it! This is the walk I took most days and this particular day the weather was perfect, as you can see 🙂 And I didn’t get us lost either 😉 You will love Lewes.
Love and SPBs back to you 🙂 xxxxx
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A great walk Sherri and some wonderful pictures. I love the way you’ve found windows with such interesting things behind them, like the sewing machines, the toys…and that bath! Not quite like the tin bath we had when I was little!
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Thanks so much for coming along on the walk Andrea, we had fun didn’t we, taking a look in all those windows? I particularly loved the sewing machines (think the warehouse used to be a sewing factory, hence the antiques harking back to those days) and the toy shop window I thought was a delight. And as for that bath, yes, well, very different from the baths we grew up with too! We can but dream… 😉
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Ah Sherri- I’m just catching up with my favourite bloggers after a few days away in the very lovely Sicily. Your wonderful Lewes post just serves to remind that however far we travel and whatever we see abroad, there really isn’t anywhere quite like home. England in springtime is surely the best place to be and your pictures of Lewes high street just confirm that we really do have some very picturesque and historic places to visit
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Hi Jenny! Ahh, so glad I’m one of your faves 🙂
Oh wow, Sicily, how wonderful is that? Would love to go there. I bet it was magical, and I’m looking forward to your blog post all about it!!!! Hope you have returned rested and refreshed…
I’m so glad that even though you’ve travelled to distant lands, you still came over here and enjoyed your walk through a very English town and yes, in the springtime it really is incomparable isn’t it?
I longed to be back here when I lived through the hot California summers and so I never take it for granted.
Lovely to have you along for the walk Jenny, thanks for that 🙂
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Thanks for taking me along on your walk, Sherri. I really enjoyed myself. How far did I walk? I’m sure my Fitbit would have registered a good few thousand steps. 🙂 I love the way history is faithfully recorded in England and found everywhere. Hard luck about those poor martyrs. I guess they were born at the wrong time and in the wrong place. 😦 I love the copper bath; it’s a lot fancier than the zinc one that my mom used to bath me in. 🙂 Have a super Sunday. xx
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Thanks so much for coming along for the walk Sylvia, so glad you enjoyed it! Ah yes, your Fitbit would probably have registered a good few thousand steps. It was a good hour and up hills and down so a good workout that’s for sure!
I do love how towns and cities here detail the history the way they do. I loved my visits back ‘home’ here when I returned every year with the kids when we lived in America and would always make sure to take them to lots of historical places to give them a reminder of their British roots!
Yes, those poor martyrs, not a good part of history that sadly.
That copper bath is amazing isn’t it? Very different to the ones we used to have baths in too!
Thanks Sylvia,we had a lovely weekend and I hope you did too. Here’s to a good week ahead 🙂
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Oh, Sherri! What a wonderful tour that was. I loved every minute of it because it was gorgeous and my feet didn’t even hurt! 🙂 The swimming bath sounds amazing, if only. Thanks for inviting us along.
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Hi Maria! So glad you enjoyed the tour! It’s great isn’t it being able to visit different places all over our wonderful globe without having to leave the comfort of our own homes 🙂
The swimming bath hails back to the Victorian era. I wonder how warm the water would have been…brrrrr!!!
Thanks so much for coming along, we had a lot of fun didn’t we?? 🙂
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What a lovely tour and great photos. Thanks for sharing it with us. It looked quite a walk, I bet you really enjoyed that cup of tea afterwards 🙂
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Hi Dylan! Thanks so much for coming along, really glad you enjoyed the tour! Good exercise, that’s for sure!
Yes, that cup of tea was more than welcome 🙂
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What a gorgeous spring walk through Lewes! The daffodils and forsythia are blooming in our backyard, so that part of the walk was very familiar. I had a wonderful time window-shopping… good thing it doesn’t cost to look. Just had to sit, relax and take in all the beauty for a few moments when I spied the bench at The Pells. Thank you for the respite Sherri. Now it’s back to mischievous grandchildren, piles of laundry and a gloomy [but, welcome] rainy day in Missouri. 😉
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So glad you came along for this walk Theresa, always so lovely to see you! Glad you managed to squeeze in a quick respite on the bench at The Pells and take in the sights before returning to your busy life 😉
Sounds like spring is well underway for you. We’ve had a few of those gloomy, wet days too lately but as you say, they are welcome in that they are needed.
It’s a lovely sunny start to the week now for us here, hope the same for you and that you got all your laundry done and had a wonderful time with your darling grandchildren. Now you can get back to your photography!
Have a great week Theresa 🙂
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You know I love a good Lewes post, Sherri, and this is a great one!
Is that starting point Malling? It could be anywhere! (Long strip of grass and trees.) But it seems familiar.
I haven’t seen the copper bath before, what a fascinating find.
________________________________
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Well I knew you would recognise all the photos in this post Denise! Yes, it is Malling, you are spot on!
That copper bath is incredible – I walked by the shop several times and couldn’t take my eyes off it! I think the shop owner thought I was stalking him, lol 😉
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I thoroughly enjoyed my Lewes walk. We walked to Lewes over the Downs from Patcham which I probably told you before. You have shown me more of Lewes than I saw although I’m sure some of the shops haven’t changed. Mr Paine was certainly a world visionary if he did all those things. I wonder why I have never heard of him.
Thanks for the walk I needed to get a bit of fresh air and I’ll certainly try and walk with Jo.
Cheers Irene
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Ahh yes, I do remember Irene, you know this area well don’t you? I’m enjoying getting to know Lewes better too and like you, had no idea of all that Mr Paine achieved! I wondered too why I hadn’t known this before…
So glad you enjoyed this walk, you will love Jo’s walks too while getting to know some beautiful spots in different parts of the UK.
You and I will get to our walking too this week, and we can catch up with all our news while we do so…of course, you’ll have to bring your lovely little dog along 😉
Here’s to a good week ahead my friend 🙂
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Love Lewes – one of my best pals lives there so when we’re in England (our home is about 40 minute awat on the coast in Bexhill) we often visit. Loved the shots and the walk 🙂
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Hello Chica, many thanks, I’m so glad you enjoyed your visits to Lewes, both in person and here! I know Bexhill well! It’s a small world isn’t it? 🙂
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It is indeed!
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🙂
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The Daffodils look so beautiful. I miss the English seasons so much especially Spring and Autumn. I used to live near Kew Gardens and always arranged a visit when the flowers were just coming into bloom. I loved to see the Bluebells, and crocuses…your photos always make me a bit homesick.
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Ahh, thanks so much Julie, I’m so glad you enjoyed this tour of Lewes but I’m sorry for the homesickness, I know that feel 😦
Funny you mention Kew Gardens, I’ve yet to go there and every year hope this will be the year! I can’t wait to go. It must have been wonderful to live on its doorstep 🙂
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You will love Kew. Definitely try to fit it into your calendar, but plan a full day, and have on good walking shoes. 🙂
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Thanks very much for the heads-up Julie, I will definitely make note of this, can’t wait 🙂
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I really enjoyed that tour, Sherri. You’re an excellent guide.
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Hi Bill, I’m so pleased that you enjoyed the tour, thanks so much for coming along! Lovely to see you here, I hope you and your family are doing well and if I don’t ‘see’ you before, I hope you have a blessed, peaceful Easter 🙂
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enjoyed every single part of this post – and walk away with a smile – I really love every pic- but that window shot – with the copper tub – was my fav. 🙂 have a nice day mon amie –
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Hi Y! Thanks so much, really glad you enjoyed it, it was great to have you along! That copper bath is something isn’t it? If only, eh? 😉
Ahh, mon amie, you have a lovely day too… 🙂
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You have captured so many wonderful things about Lewes Sherri. I feel very lucky to live close by 🙂
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Hello Cathy, thanks so much for dropping by, so glad you enjoyed this little tour of Lewes, especially knowing you live so close 🙂
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So very clever and it was lovely walking with you again my friend. Fantastic narrative and photos!! Absolutely loved this adventure! xoxo
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Oh I’m so glad you took this walk with me my dear friend! I’m going to post this on my FB page too, forgot to, yi yi yi!! We had a great time didn’t we, and shared a lovely cup of tea together at the end of it! It’s wonderful to be able to share these adventures together, thank you so much for coming along 🙂 xoxo
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I enjoyed the walk in Lewes immensely my friend. From the beautiful sceneries of Spring to the many monuments of the city, everything is an exciting adventure. The way you narrate and the images made me feel like I was there too. Wonderful post. All the best to you and your family. Happy Easter!
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Oh I’m so glad you came along IT and that you enjoyed it! Thank you so much. What a pleasure to share this wonderful, historic town of Lewes with you! We certainly do get a lot of walks in don’t we, between California and England 😉
It was a pleasure having you along. Wishing you and your wonderful family a very Happy Easter too my dear friend…blessings to you and yours always 🙂
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I’m a bit late for the walk but I thoroughly enjoyed it. You give me such inspiration to broaden my travels 🙂 Much peace and love to you and have a Wonderful Easter Celebration!
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You’re never too late Lilka, just so glad you made it and joined in with the fun. So glad you enjoyed this little tour of Lewes!
You too my friend, thank you. Wishing you and your family a peaceful, blessed Easter. He is risen! 🙂
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Thank you for the walk, Sherri. What a beautiful place! And your photos are lovely.
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So glad you enjoyed the walk and this tour of Lewes, thank you Evelyne!
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Wow. so much to take in. glad you were in charge of the map though, I’m rubbish with finding my way around.
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HaHa! Well, I wasn’t too sure, I’m glad I didn’t get us lost! I have a habit of reading maps upside down!! Glad you enjoyed it though, thanks TB 🙂
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Sheeri, Jo … told me that you had done this walk in Lewes, because I did one in the end of January .. lived in Brighton for 6 years, but never really visited Lewes. But I wanted to … so now when moved back to Sweden I took the time. *smile
Beautiful post … there was so much to take in and I have promised a friend that if I visit Brighton again I will walk with here in Lewes, so here you have given me some ideas .. where to walk. Stunning images – that Antique shop had some amazing things but nothing like your bathtub in the window. We met “pretty polly” through a window opposite at brewery shop.
Thanks for taking me back there again so soon. Had a fantastic day with a blogging sister there .. “mrs jones”.
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Hi Viveka, I’m so glad you enjoyed this little tour around the beautiful town of Lewes, how kind of lovely Jo to introduce us 🙂 Growing up, Brighton Beach was where we spent many happy days by the sea but when I moved to America, lived there for 20 years, I had no idea that some 30 years later my boys would end up living back there and Lewes too! So we get to visit often 🙂 I’ve met a blogging friend in Lewes too and plan to meet her again and another in the spring. Lewes seems to be a popular place for meeting people, so glad you got to visit and had such a fabulous day, and I do so hope you get to do so again. Let me know…I’ll look out for you 🙂 Great to meet you… Sherri 🙂
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The world is very small at times …. sometimes it feels like life is going in some kind of circle … with us. We end up in some way where we started .. same with me. Moved to Gothenburg and around the world for nearly 23 years and now back in the county where I was growing. Only 2 hours from where I live today. Lovely to meet you too.
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