beach
Brighton Beach
A famous pebble beach on England's south coast known for its Victorian pier, vibrant arts scene, and seaside charm.
12 km · about 20 min drive
EuropeUnited KingdomEngland
Lewes
England, United Kingdom · Europe
About Lewes
Lewes works well as a base: 5 minutes from Ringmer, 16km from Devil’s Dyke.
Lewes is in England, United Kingdom, with about 17,000 people. You drive on the left here. The nearest town is Ringmer, about 4 km away.
Lewes ( ) is the county town of East Sussex, England. The town is the administrative centre of the wider district of the same name. It lies on the River Ouse at the point where the river cuts through the South Downs.
A traditional market town and centre of communications, in 1264 it was the site of the Battle ofRead more
Lewes. The town's landmarks include Lewes Castle, Lewes Priory, Bull House (the former home of Thomas Paine), Southover Grange and public gardens, and a 16th-century timber-framed Wealden hall house known as Anne of Cleves House. Other notable features of the area include the Glyndebourne festival, the Lewes Bonfire celebrations and the Lewes Pound.
Where to Stay in Lewes
Compare prices across Booking.com, Airbnb, Expedia, and more. Select your dates to see availability.
Filter presets
Pick your must-haves once: provider links open pre-filtered. Each filter lists which sites it applies to.
Compare before you book!
Prices can vary significantly between platforms. We recommend checking at least 2-3 sites to find the best deal for your stay in Lewes.
Explore the Area
Discover famous landmarks, scenic roads, and more near Lewes.
Loading map...
Frequently Asked Questions
What is there to see near Lewes?
Within an hour or so of Lewes: Brighton Beach (12 km), Cuckmere Haven (15 km), Devil’s Dyke (16 km), Seven Sisters Cliffs (20 km).
Are there any good drives near Lewes?
The nearest famous roads are Goodwood Festival of Speed, Crystal Palace Circuit and Military Road, Isle of Wight.
Where is Lewes?
Lewes is in England, United Kingdom, about 4 km from Ringmer.
Road trip
Drive to Lewes
Add it as a stop and the planner works out the driving, the nights and what's worth seeing on the way.
Start planningWhat's nearby?
Swipe through places to go
Places within a drive of Lewes. Keep the ones you like and add them to your trip.
Explore now
Quick Information
- Population
- 17,297
- Continent
- Europe
- Country
- United Kingdom
- Region
- England
- Timezone
- Europe/London
- Coordinates
- 50.8740, 0.0088
Emergency & Services
Essential numbers in United Kingdom
112 also works. NHS non-emergency medical advice: 111. National Highways breakdown assistance on motorways: 0300 123 5000.
Full driving guide for United KingdomTags
Worth the detour from Lewes
8 notable places within an hour's drive.
scenic viewpoint
Cuckmere Haven
A meandering river valley meeting the sea beneath the Seven Sisters, giving the classic view of the cliffs and coastguard cottages.
15 km · about 30 min drive
natural wonder
Devil’s Dyke
The longest, deepest and widest dry valley in Britain, on the South Downs escarpment above Brighton.
16 km · about 30 min drive
natural wonder
Seven Sisters Cliffs
A series of dramatic undulating chalk cliffs along the East Sussex coast, considered one of England's finest coastal landscapes.
20 km · about 25 min drive
beach
Birling Gap
A National Trust hamlet at the foot of the Seven Sisters with beach access by steel staircase and rapidly retreating cliffs.
20 km · about 25 min drive
scenic viewpoint
Beachy Head
The highest chalk sea cliff in Britain at 162 m, with a red-and-white lighthouse standing on the shore below.
22 km · about 25 min drive
landmark
Caterham Cars
Home of the legendary Caterham Seven where visitors can see lightweight sports cars assembled and even build their own.
32 km · about 35 min drive
castle
Hever Castle
Romantic 13th-century double-moated castle that was the childhood home of Anne Boleyn, set within award-winning gardens and a 38-acre lake.
36 km · about 40 min drive
Driving roads near Lewes
- Right hereCuckmere HavenA meandering river valley meeting the sea beneath the Seven Sisters, giving the classic view of the cliffs and coastguard cottages.
- 22 kmBeachy HeadThe highest chalk sea cliff in Britain at 162 m, with a red-and-white lighthouse standing on the shore below.
- 43 kmLeith HillThe highest point in south-east England at 294 m, its 18th-century tower taking visitors just above the 1,000-foot mark.
- 47 kmBox HillA steep chalk escarpment above the Mole valley, the Zig Zag Road on its flank made famous by the 2012 Olympic road race.
- 52 kmGoodwood Festival of SpeedThe hillclimb course on the Goodwood estate driveway where Formula One cars, prewar Grand Prix machinery and rally legends run flat out past a country house each summer. The 1.16-mile course is estate road year-round.
- 61 kmCrystal Palace CircuitA parkland racing circuit in south London that ran until 1972 and still hosts occasional sprint events. Sections of the old track survive as park roads and footpaths, complete with original kerbing among the Victorian terraces.
Driving in United Kingdom
- Drives on
- the left
- Petrol
- ~€1.73/litre
- Motorway tolls
- None
When to drive here
April to October
Nearby Destinations
Other places to explore near Lewes.
Plan a trip around Lewes
Your trip starts here
Plan a road trip from Lewes.
Pick the days, drop in the stops, and share it with whoever's coming.