THE sun’s out and it’s looking good in Sussex for the bank holiday weekend.
Tourists in their thousands are heading to these parts for festivals, food, funfairs, music, horse racing, circuses, boats and battles.
There is almost too much choice.
So KATY RICE has come up with a day-by-day guide for your perfect bank holiday weekend.
SATURDAY AUGUST 27
Start in Rye
At the Rye International Jazz Festival, there are free gigs and acoustic performances including jazz, blues, R&B, soul, funk, gospel and world music played in pubs and around its ancient streets. The festival is on from Saturday to Monday. For details, visit ryejazz.com
Then get the No100 bus from Rye to Hastings...
Roll up for the Summer Festival Circus on the Pier, a special holiday show from the creators of Zippos Circus for the reopening of Hastings Pier. The 50-minute shows (at 2pm, 4pm and 6pm on Sat and Sun, and 3pm, 5pm and 7pm on Mon) featuring a cast of circus performers including trapeze artistes, jugglers, clowns, acrobats and dancers. On from Saturday to Monday. For details, visit visitsoutheastengland.com.
Then get the Route 21 Stagecoach bus to Bexhill...
The De La Warr Pavilion at Bexhill
Music on the Bandstand at the De La Warr Pavilion in Bexhill is an afternoon of free live music from Union Music Store, with performances by tale-teller guitarist Mike Ross, three-part harmony outfit The Self Help Group, Americana virtuosos The Jamie Freeman Agreement and alt-folk band Noble Jacks. From 2pm to 6pm. For details visit dlwp.com.
Then get the Route 98 bus from Bexhill to Herstmonceux...
Herstmonceux Castle
England’s Medieval Festival at Herstmonceux Castle celebrates the Middle Ages with a siege. Around 1,000 knights, bowmen and men-at-arms will stage England’s largest medieval battle with cannons. Open from 10am to 6pm Saturday to Monday. For details, visit hertsmonceux-castle.com.
SUNDAY AUGUST 28
Start at Goodwood
For August Bank Holiday at Goodwood, there’s racing on both days, plus a traditional fairground with a helter-skelter, carousel and vintage Big Wheel, plus a new petting farm. Enjoy music by a string quartet, a jazz band and a rock ‘n’ roll band. Opens 11.30pm on Saturday and Sunday. For details, visit goodwood.com.
Get the train or bus lines 1 and 99 from Goodwood to Shoreham...
Shoreham Riverfest
Dragon Boat Racing today on the River Adur is part of Shoreham Riverfest, which takes place stretches over the Bank Holiday weekend. There’s also a river swim, roverbank run, land tub race, nature events, sea shanty singers, pirates on paddleboards, dance and live music as the festival. For details, visit shorehamriverfest.co.uk.
Get the No9 bus from Shoreham to Lancing...
Gorilla Circus, Lancing
From 8pm the Gorilla Circus, the UK’s only outdoor flying trapeze school, will stage free shows at Lancing Beach Green where performers will flip and twist, catching each other high in the air, with the tricks getting harder as the show progresses. For details, visit visitsoutheastengland.com.
Get the No9 bus from Lancing to Bognor...
Illuminations Gala, Bognor
8.30pm: Bognor Regis Illuminations Gala is a spectacular night-time procession that leaves West Park at 8.30pm and heads for the pier where the Grand Finale Fireworks Display will light up the sky at 10pm. There will also be a funfair on the seafront all weekend. For details, visit visitsoutheastengland.com.
PS: If you’re in Brighton, pop along to...
Madeira Drive, Brighton
Madeira Drive for the Modernist and 60s Weekender. It’s transformed into the Mod Scene when scooters fill this iconic beachside road over the weekend. Today, there’s the scooter competition and a cruise along the coast. For details, visit newuntouchables.com.
MONDAY AUGUST 29
Start in Brighton
At the Brighton and Hove Food and Drink Festival at Hove Lawns, foodies can enjoy the Sussex & The World Market, Live Food Show, Children’s Food Festival, Beach BBQ Cook Off, entertainment for young and old, plus local beers, ciders, wines and spirits. It’s on all weekend. For details, visit brightonfoodfestival.com.
Get the No17 Stagecoach bus from Brighton to Woodmancote...
Indian Summer Market, Woodmancote
An Indian Summer Market is a lovely event where ethically traded clothes in cotton and vintage sari silk, jewellery and scarves from India are set out in a marquee. With curries, plus woodblock printing for children and adults. It’s at Sussex Prairie Garden, Morlands Farm, Wheatsheaf Road, Woodmancote. It’s on 10am to 5pm Saturday to Monday. For details, visit sussexprairiies.co.uk.
Get the Arriva bus no 53 or 63 from Woodmancote to Rudgwick...
Rudgwick Country Show
The 30th Rudgwick Country Show covers 44 acres and showcases the best of British engineering with restored and vintage vehicles and military tank rides. Open 9am to 5.30pm. For details, visit rudgwicksteamshow.co.uk.
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