While celebrating the King’s coronation will rightly take pride of place in the East Sussex calendar in May, it’s also a bumper month for other community events.
From steam fairs to carnivals, craft markets to fund-raising walks, we’ve rounded up just a few of the events lined up for next month. Oh, and it’s also National Walking Month.
National Walking Month – every day in May!
May is National Walking Month so presents a perfect opportunity to get outdoors, get some fresh air, and enjoy the amazing East Sussex countryside and coastline. If you’re stuck for ideas about great places to stretch your legs check out our East Sussex Walking Map. And if you’re looking for shorter guided walks don’t forget The Conservation Volunteers regularly hold one-hour Health Walks at locations across the county. For details visit the East Sussex Health Walks website
A couple of walking events:
Herstmonceux Castle Night Trek – 13 May, 7pm
Grab your head torch, pull on your walking boots, and trek the night away around the Herstmonceux Castle Estate, to raise funds for local children’s hospice care. The event is a 10k night-time charity walk for the Chestnut Tree House Children’s Hospice. There’s a brand-new route for 2023 and walkers will see the sun set as they trek through the fields and forests of the castle, with lights to guide the way. For more information and how to sign up visit the Chestnut Tree House website
Crowborough Boundary Walk – 14 May, registration from 9am to 10.30am
May is also the month residents of Crowborough complete a walk around the boundary of the town. Historically known as ‘beating the bounds’, the walk is approximately 10 miles over a mixture of pavement and fields and typically attracts 200 walkers. There’s more information on the Crowborough Town Council website
Some other things to see and do:
Forest Row Market – 3 May
If you want to support local producers and craftspeople and live near Forest Row, pop along to this award-winning market. The market features up to 45 fine food and handmade clothes and craft stalls. These include locally produced food, and drink, as well as organic fruit and vegetables, meat, eggs, cheeses, and more. Visit the Explore Wealden website for more details.
Bexhill Medieval Pageant – 8 May, 10am to 5pm
Visitors to Bexhill will be able to turn back the clock several hundred years for an action-packed day of family fun. Taking up camp on the seafront lawns will be a medieval pageant featuring archery, falconry, knights and jesters. There will also be period folk music, dancing and a medieval craft market. There’s more information on the Visit 1066 Country website
Battle Makers Market – 13 May, 10am to 4pm
This market aims to celebrate all things handmade and hand-finished from local artisans and businesses. There will be food, hand crafted silver jewellery, glassware, artwork, ceramics and more. Again, there are more details on the Visit 1066 Country website
Bentley Steam Gala – 13 and 14 May
It’s all aboard at the Bentley Miniature Railway as it holds its steam gala next month with train rides and family fun. Established in 1985, Bentley Miniature Railway comprises a one-mile miniature railway, with a variety of privately owned locomotives. The railway was built, maintained, and operated by unpaid volunteers. Find out more on the Explore Wealden website
Hastings Emporium pop-up market – 13 and 14 May
Supporting local independent traders, small creative businesses and crafts people, this pop-up market takes place in the Stade Hall. You can get more information on the Pop-Up Emporium website
Eastbourne Carnival – 27 May
After the success of the event last year Eastbourne Carnival is back! This year the event will be celebrating everything that makes Sussex such a unique and fabulous place. The event features a colourful parade, a series of carnival events, and a street party. For more information visit the Eastbourne Carnival Website
Rother Valley Model Railway exhibition – 27 and 28 May, 10am to 4pm
Destination Robertsbridge towards the end of the month for this exhibition of model railways. The event promises displays and quality layouts, sales stands, refreshments and a “railwayana” shop – as well as a classic car display on the Saturday. There will also be the opportunity to visit Rother Valley Railway’s ever-developing full-size station across the road, including the new turntable, and see its progress in extending the railway to Bodiam and the Kent & East Sussex Railway. There are more details on the Rother Valley Railway website
You seem to have left out Heathfield Show on May 27th. Please address this. Thank you.
Thanks Debra. The Heathfield Show will be included in our special round-up of half-term events and activities.