Good Routes in and around Sussex...

[Nuggs]

Hi All

My old man's picking up a new 350Z in early March and I've taken a day off to go with him.

We're planning on spending the day out driving, helping to run the Z in.

Having lived in Sussex forever, we've got our favourite routes, but most of these are well-worn by now.

I just wondered in anyone had any drives they could recommend. If they involve a good coffee shop (for morning coffee) and a country pub (one that sells pies would be even better ) for lunch along the way, then so much the better! Oh, tunnels are also considered a very good thing ...

We'll be setting off from Haywards Heath and probably looking to cover 75(ish) miles...

Thanks in advance

[Raify]

ooh, you lucky bugg3r! Some lovely routes round there. You could do worse than heading over towards Battle, getting some 'levels' action in, coffee in Battle and then back.

Or you could head north east towards the Ashdown Forest. Nice pub in Chelwood Gate.

The road between East Grinstead + Tun wells is one of my favourites.

Lovely pub in marsh green, the Wheat Sheaf (between E Grinstead + tun wells, north of the A264).

Happy

[.Mark]

Got to be the A272 hasn't it?
Goes all the way through to Salisbury and is one of the finest roads in the South. You can go as far as you like, turn round and come back along the same road and it's just as good.

[beano500]

Deffo the 272

And what's the road down to Chichester with the interesting bends and up and down through the woods...?

[.Mark]

beano500 said:

Deffo the 272 And what's the road down to Chichester with the interesting bends and up and down through the woods...?

So many of those to choose from. From the 272 just pick a 'B' road sign posted Chichester and you'll be in for a treat.

[Nuggs]

Thanks guys, I'm liking the A272 idea; I rarely go out that way...

Any good pub/coffee recommendations?

[.Mark]

Nuggs said:

Any good pub/coffee recommendations?

All of them

[Raify]

If you go as far as Petworth, I can recommend the pub near the park there. If only I could remember the name!

White stag perhaps? Ha! just found the number, still in my mobile! Stone masons inn 01798 34 25 10.

[Nuggs]

Raify said:

If you go as far as Petworth, I can recommend the pub near the park there. If only I could remember the name! White stag perhaps? Ha! just found the number, still in my mobile! Stone masons inn 01798 34 25 10.

Good man - thanks!

[Painey]

Petworth is great when your in a TVR because of all the narrow, high walled roads that lead through the place. Don't half sound good with the roof off!

Personally I'd avoid the A23 as I found out yesterday that it's populated by, amongst others, unmarked black police volvo's who like to goad you into breaking the limit. See my post in the speeding/plod forum if you want more info on that!!!

[towman]

Hmmm 75 miles round trip from HH?

HH - Ditchling - through the twisties to Offham (airborne at the junction with Novington Lane) - Lewes Prison - Blast along the bypass/A27 to Drusillas roundabout - through Alfriston - Up over "High and Over" (lovely bend at the bottom) - through Seaford onto A259 - over Seven Sisters to Beachy Head - Turn round and go back through East Dene to Friston Pond - down to Filching for a quick spin round the Kart track (sadly the museum is now private)- carry on to Polegate - Blatt up the A22 to Horsebridge - continue on A22 to Uckfield (beware scamera in Halland)- A272 to HH.

How does that sound?

AA says 70 miles

Any number of decent pubs en route.

Steve

[Painey]

towman said:

Hmmm 75 miles round trip from HH? HH - Ditchling - through the twisties to Offham (airborne at the junction with Novington Lane) - Lewes Prison - Blast along the bypass/A27 to Drusillas roundabout - through Alfriston - Up over "High and Over" (lovely bend at the bottom) - through Seaford onto A259 - over Seven Sisters to Beachy Head - Turn round and go back through East Dene to Friston Pond - down to Filching for a quick spin round the Kart track (sadly the museum is now private)- carry on to Polegate - Blatt up the A22 to Horsebridge - continue on A22 to Uckfield (beware scamera in Halland)- A272 to HH. How does that sound? AA says 70 miles Any number of decent pubs en route. Steve

Sounds like a good route, personally I'd go through Lewes though so you get to go through the tunnel but only if the roof's down!!!

[Nuggs]

Painey said:

towman said: Hmmm 75 miles round trip from HH? HH - Ditchling - through the twisties to Offham (airborne at the junction with Novington Lane) - Lewes Prison - Blast along the bypass/A27 to Drusillas roundabout - through Alfriston - Up over "High and Over" (lovely bend at the bottom) - through Seaford onto A259 - over Seven Sisters to Beachy Head - Turn round and go back through East Dene to Friston Pond - down to Filching for a quick spin round the Kart track (sadly the museum is now private)- carry on to Polegate - Blatt up the A22 to Horsebridge - continue on A22 to Uckfield (beware scamera in Halland)- A272 to HH. How does that sound? AA says 70 miles Any number of decent pubs en route. Steve Sounds like a good route, personally I'd go through Lewes though so you get to go through the tunnel but only if the roof's down!!!

Thanks chaps - if the weather's good (and probably even if it isn't), I might give this one a go at the weekend.

Painey, since getting my exhaust done at Austec a couple of weeks ago, the Culfail Tunnel in Lewes has been a bit of a favourite!

[towman]

Painey said:

Sounds like a good route, personally I'd go through Lewes though so you get to go through the tunnel but only if the roof's down!!!

Nah!! Do the bypass, into town via the tunnel, round the snail and back out again!

[S Works]

towman said:

Painey said: Sounds like a good route, personally I'd go through Lewes though so you get to go through the tunnel but only if the roof's down!!! Nah!! Do the bypass, into town via the tunnel, round the snail and back out again!

Double-header - NICE!

[Raify]

All this tunnel talk: Is it a convertible 350Z then?

[Nuggs]

Raify said:

All this tunnel talk: Is it a convertible 350Z then?

Nope, he went for the coupe but I'll be in my Chimaera, which will make enough noise for both of us!

[cosmoschick]

towman said:

(beware scamera in Halland)

Yeah tell me about it Three points and a £60 fine I was being tailgated by some idiots at the time who were driving in a most dangerous way so I pulled away from them slightly and didn't notice the 'kin thing before it was too late. Spotless driving licence until that episode...hey ho.

Nuggs - the A272 is the best bet although be prepared to get stuck behind an endless queue of traffic travelling 38mph Or, alternatively, up over Ashdown Forest towards Forest Row and then on to Crowborough (sorry I don't have a map to hand!). We're quite spoilt for choice around here for decent roads...oh...and pubs

[S Works]

cosmoschick said:

towman said: (beware scamera in Halland) Or, alternatively, up over Ashdown Forest towards Forest Row and then on to Crowborough (sorry I don't have a map to hand!). We're quite spoilt for choice around here for decent roads...oh...and pubs

Indeed, across the forest is great, lovely roads, superb views if the weather is fine.

If you need tips for decent pubs over this way let me know. I can get you tips for a nice run over the forest to a great pub called The Junction in Groombridge, just outside of Tunbridge Wells.

>> Edited by S Works on Thursday 27th January 16:29

[Nuggs]

S Works said:

cosmoschick said: Or, alternatively, up over Ashdown Forest towards Forest Row and then on to Crowborough (sorry I don't have a map to hand!). We're quite spoilt for choice around here for decent roads...oh...and pubs Indeed, across the forest is great, lovely roads, superb views if the weather is fine.

Love driving through the Forest; it's especially good on fresh early winter mornings when everyone else is still dozing.

There used to be a fantastic coffee shop in Tunbridge Wells, which has now become a bridal boutique or something equally uninspiring...