Speeding boxer, split oak and best pubs

The best curated guide to East (and West) Sussex. What's on in your county, news, food & drink, sport, miscellaneous, history, humour and recommendations

Newsbites

Boxer Anthony Joshua’s tough training regime may have led to a lapse in concentration - and speeding in a 30mph zone, he told court officials. Joshua was caught by a Sussex Police officer doing 44mph in a 30mph zone on the A26 in Lewes in May. “As an athlete, I rely heavily on my ability to drive to and from training sessions, which are often at locations that are difficult to reach,” he said. Was he up Bo Beep, or taking his Range Rover Vogue on the Downs for a session?

The Holm Oak tree, which is seen as a ‘landmark symbol’ of Ringmer village, near Lewes has split, with residents set to see the tree felled. It was immediately fenced by the local football club before the oak split. A Sussex guitarist even wrote a piece of music about the tree. Listen here

• Queen Elizabeth Oak, Cowdray Park: A majestic hollow tree with a humongous girth (13.15m) that makes it the second largest sessile oak on record. Estimated to be up to 1,000 years old.

The Cure put a framed poster on The Railway pub in Crawley, where the band played their first gig, to reveal the first new album in 16 year, Song of a Lost World. Guitarist and lead vocalist Robert Smith is from Crawley and the town is where the band formed.

What else we’re reading

• I’ve found the swishest place to stay in the South Downs - Plus 11 more cool places to stay in the South Downs. From The Times

• Sussex vigilante plants flowers in potholes to ‘shame’ council into repairs - and it works

• Alfriston - Repairs begin in Sussex village regularly cut off by flooding

• 16th-century Sussex pub on the market as owners retire after 19 years

Out and about

The Mail has named a few Sussex boozers in its ‘Best 100 pubs in Britain’: 

The Jolly Sportsman, near Lewes
Vino aficionados have long since raved about The Jolly Sportsman, which is nestled at the foot of the South Downs and has more than 50 selections on its wine list. Saturday Kitchen wine expert Olly Smith says: ‘With its roaring fire, bucolic garden, fine food and great service, I’m a big fan of a lazy day in this countryside gem.’ 

The Gun Inn, Findon
In a corner of Findon with the pastoral beauty of the South Downs all around, this early 17th-century pub with exposed beams and plenty of antiques is well-known for its Sunday roast - and generous portions. Overall national winner of the Great British Pub Awards in 2022, there are good cask ales on tap, and don’t miss French Night, three courses for a ‘prix fixe’ of £24.

• Terra Restaurant at Tottington Manor Hotel near Henfield has won this year’s OpenTable Diners’ Choice Awards,  which recognises and rewards outstanding restaurants based on feedback from local diners.

My Sussex with… Sarah Jones, founder of Wilderness PR, Sussex

What would be your perfect Sussex-based day-off? I love hiking with the dogs and being on top of the South Downs. Walk through Firle Estate and then Charleston, the modernist home and studio of artists Vanessa Bell and Duncan Grant, continuing up on to the top of the Downs, looping back down to Firle village, through the church, straight to the The Ram Inn.

Best pub and why? The Blackboys Inn in Blackboys, The Middlehouse in Mayfield, The Griffin Inn, Fletching. All local to me and never fail to disappoint on menu, service and good atmosphere.

If I was Mayor of Sussex for a day, I would… Sort out the pot holes and ensure no raw sewage is dumped in our coastal waters and rivers. 

Favourite shops? Closet & Botts in Lewes. A beaut of a shop that brings together a hand picked selection of vintage, new and handmade homeware as well as furniture and clothes. I also love the fashion lines sold in Nord at the bottom of the hill.

Any secret Sussex tips you want to share? Farleys House and Gallery in Muddles Green, near Chiddingly, the former home of Vogue-model-turned-war-photographer Lee Miller is so worth a visit. I recommend watching the film Lee  and doing a house tour of Farleys before it closes on 31 October for the winter season. Also, Gravetye Manor and its William Robinson gardens and Michelin Star restaurant. The estate has one of the UK's very few elliptical walled gardens. It's a very special place at any time of the year.    

On the market

Westmeston, above - One of Sussex’s finest unlisted homes. Hampton £3.9m

Brightling - A beautifully presented country estate ideal for contemporary living. Knight Frank - £4.5m

Rye - A striking Grade II listed mansion in the Neo-Caroline style with spectacular far reaching coastal views - Rightmove, £4.2m

Herons Ghyll - West Hendall Farm is an extremely attractive property built in 2006. On the Market £2.9m

Ditchling Road - Rogers Farm is a wonderful Grade II listed Georgian family residence. Move - £2.2.m