Sussex Art Shuttle: Where to drink and dine en route
Wine and dine your way across beautiful Sussex
Image courtesy of Towner Eastbourne
The Turner Prize 2023 has come to Sussex. Featuring four outstanding British artists, the world-renowned show is a must-visit exhibition for those interested in contemporary visual art.
To celebrate Sussex hosting the event, our friends at Sussex created a Sussex Art Shuttle to connect the Towner Eastbourne with Charleston in Firle and Lewes.
But as well as cultural highlights, there a few gastronomic ones en route as well…
All aboard the Sussex Art Shuttle. Next stop: Lunch
You don’t need a designated driver to hop onboard the Sussex Art Shuttle.
And that’s good news because Sussex's trendiest bus visits some of our favourite spots for a glass of something good and a bite to eat.
Starting at either the Towner in Eastbourne or Charleston in Lewes, the hop-on-hop-off service takes in the county’s top cultural spots like the Turner Prize 2023 at Towner, and all for just £2.50 for the day. But where should you wine and dine on the way?
Where to eat and drink near Towner Eastbourne
The bus stops at Towner Eastbourne, East Dean, Seven Sisters Visitor Centre, Litlington, Alfriston, Charleston in Firle and Charleston in Lewes. Image courtesy of Sussex Modern.
The bar and restaurant features a changing display from Eastbourne artists. Image courtesy of Emma Gutteridge.
Port Hotel, Eastbourne
A short walk along the beach from the Towner, this boutique hotel serves up Eastbourne’s best breakfast with a menu featuring locally sourced fayre.
For those finishing the day at the Towner, the Port’s mixologists can stir-up classic cocktails or pour you a glass of Sussex fizz until midnight on Fridays and Saturdays.
Brunch: 7.30am - 2.30pm. Book here.
Find out more: Port Hotel
The menu features is a tempting range of smørredrød, Danish open sandwiches on rye bread. Photo courtesy of Light, Towner.
Light, Towner Gallery
Towner’s own Light restaurant brings Scandinavian-inspired cuisine to Sussex’s top art gallery.
The menu presents a smörgåsbord of delights from morning to evening meaning it will easily fit your schedule.
The Wild Mushroom Risotto would be the perfect match for Artelium’s sparkling Makers Rosé that features by the bottle.
Find out more: Light Towner
Where to eat and drink near Seven Sisters
The Severn Sisters, one of eight stops on the Sussex Art Shuttle bus route. The service has been initiated by our friends at Sussex Modern in partnership with Cuckmere Buses. Image courtesy of Joseph Pearson.
The kitchen offers up pub classics and gourmet options like Beef Wellington and roasted Turbot. Image courtesy of The Eight Bells.
The Eight Bells, Jevington
If the weather puts you off a blustery cliff-top walk at Seven Sisters turn inland.
An hour-long walk through Friston Forest takes you to the picturesque village of Jevington and The Eight Bells pub.
The local watering hole has been at the heart of village life for hundreds of years and continues to be one of Sussex’s best country pubs with a great food menu.
Local beers and wines are on the menu with Artelium’s sparkling Makers Rosé.
Find out more: The Eight Bells
Where to eat and drink near Alfriston and Litlington
Enjoy a beer tasting flight in the old converted flint barn. Image courtesy of Long Man Brewery
Long Man Brewery, Litlington
Sussex might have a growing reputation for wine producers, but Sussex breweries are still making some of the country’s best bitters; and Long Man Brewery is one of them.
Hop-off the art bus at Litlington and head to the brewery at Church Farm for a freshly brewed pint of Sussex ale. The award-winning brewery offers tours and tastings that give visitors an insight into the agricultural history of the beautiful Cuckmere Valley.
Find out more: Long Man Brewery
Image courtesy of Badger's Tea House
Badgers Tea House, Alfriston
A short walk into the village from the bus-stop, the old village bakery – now the Badgers Tea House – dates back to 1510. It is still delighting visitors with freshly baked scones and homemade sandwiches.
Check the opening times before you visit, as they are often closed on Sundays.
Find out more: Badgers Tea House
Where to eat and drink near Charleston in Firle & Lewes
Charleston Farmhouse is a must-visit for culture-seekers when they visit Sussex.
Often a highlight of the Sussex Art Shuttle, Charleston Farmhouse was the old meeting place for the radical and influential artists of the Bloomsbury Group. It has recently been joined by a new sister-site: Charleston in Lewes.
At both sites, restaurant Caccia & Tails is bringing some ‘Mamma Mia! ‘ to contemporary British art.
Image courtesy of Caccia & Tails
Caccia & Tails, Charleston in Firle & Lewes
Italian street food speciailist, Caccia & Tails, serve up old-time pasta favourites, freshly-baked foccacia and much more at both Charleston sites.
The café-come-restaurant is the perfect place for lunch before exploring the Charleston exhibitions or having a glass of Sussex wine afterwards.
Find our more: Caccia & Tails
Artelium in Lewes
To celebrate the opening of Charleston in Lewes, Artelium were invited to pop-open our new Blank Canvas Pinot Gris. The fizz is still available at Caccia & Tails, along with our Creators Cuvée 2017, and still Chardonnay 2022 and Pinot Noir 2022.
No time to stop? Pick up a bottle to enjoy at home from Symposium, Lewes. They stock our Curators Cuvée, award-winning Blanc de Blancs 2015 and Blanc de Noirs 2017.
About Artelium English Winemakers
We’re an artisanal wine producer based in the Sussex countryside, where we create fine English wines using traditional methods. We love sharing our award-winning wine and the land that makes it so special, through our winery tours and tastings - or have some delivered to your door from our online wine shop.
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