April is almost here and with it the hope of warmer weather and more of the sights and sounds of spring. It also means we’ll get to enjoy more of the major public events that feature in the East Sussex calendar. We’ve found just a few, including some eggstraodinary Easter fun, to give you some suggestions for getting out and about.
Easter Egg Hunts – National Trust and English Heritage
It’s Easter time and that means the return of cracking egg hunts and adventure quests at various National Trust and English Heritage properties. Once again an opportunity to mix a bit of fresh air, history and heritage, and chocolate. What’s not to love?
From 1-16 April there will be special family events at:
- Batemans, Rudyard Kipling’s home in Burwash
- Bodiam Castle in Bodiam
- Lamb House, Rye, once home to the novelist, Henry James
- Sheffield Park and Garden, near Uckfield
- Birling Gap & Seven Sisters, near Eastbourne
- Battle Abbey, Battle
For more information visit the National Trust website or visit the English Heritage website
Tulip Festival at Pashley Manor Gardens
Ticehurst, Wednesday 19 April every day up to and including Wednesday 3 May
If you’re on the lookout for floral displays to put a spring in your step, Pashley Manor near Ticehurst could be the perfect place. Its spectacular Tulip Festival sees the garden carpeted with over 48,000 tulips, creating stunning scenes. For more information Visit the Pashley Manor website
Magnificent Motors
Western Lawns, King Edwards Parade, Eastbourne, East Sussex, BN21 4EH
29 – 30 April, 10am – 5pm
The seafront in Eastbourne will be jammed with the biggest free motoring spectacular on the South Coast. More than 600 vintage and classic cars, motorbikes, buses, steam traction engines, commercial and military vehicles, ranging across a century of motoring will be on show. The festival, which is jointly organised by Eastbourne Borough Council, Eastbourne Historic Vehicle Club and East Sussex Omnibus Society, will also features a French Market, live music and fun fair. The visit Eastbourne website has more information
Jack in the Green Festival
Friday 28 April – Monday, 1 May
This year Hastings’ traditional Jack in the Green Festival celebrates its 40th anniversary with four glorious days of festivities around the May Day weekend. Since its revival in the 1980s the festival has become synonymous with the town of Hastings and is now one of its largest and most colourful events.
Over the long weekend there will be morris dancing around the town, a traditional ceilidh and the sunrise ceremony to welcome in the dawn of summer on Monday 1 May. Bank holiday Monday is the big one and a wave of green washes over the town. A grand procession leads the giant foliage-covered Jack through the Old Town and up to the West Hill, where he is eventually ‘slain’ and the spirit of summer is released! Find out more about the Jack in the Green Festival
