A day trip to Lewes was like a beacon of light to my weary death-by-suburbia soul. A brewery! Antique shops! Period houses! Stuff going on!
And the little guy was as good as gold. Don’t you find some days the timings with these small people just work – they nap when you want them to, they eat when you want them to. Bliss. Other days it all just conspires against you. Like when you take a trip to the dentist and book it when you think you will probably have time to wheel them round the block to have a nap, into the dentist chair, bob’s your uncle. Done. But no, I.do.not.want.to.go.to.sleep. Yes I am tired but I’m not doing it. And now I will scream while you sit in that chair for 10 minutes. What’s worse than going to the dentist? Going to the dentist while your baby wails in the corner. At least I couldn’t hear the drill.
Best shops in Lewes
Anyway, Lewes. A good day. It really brightened up my soul. I felt like I “fitted” here. Some of my favourite shops included…
Chocablock full of beautiful old French-inspired (and authentic) homewares. None of this shabby chic heart frames guff. God I hate that. Very stylish shop.
Just about doable with a buggy (many antiques shops I could only peer into as they were too crammed full for me plus buggerlugs and his chariot to get access into). Loads of smaller stalls in here to wander round and lose yourself and your money to.
Cliffe Street has the majority of antiques shops in Lewes. This was one I and his nibs could just about squeeze into.
Full of gorgeous independent homewares – ceramics, soaps, cards, tea towels, cushions plus interesting reads. Great for gifts.
Don’t let the name put you off. This is another homewares store but it sells toys and childrenswear too. Am now a sucker for kid’s stuff (though I still do prefer buying from charity shops and nct fairs – I get more of a kick from baby boden if it’s priced at 50p rather than £20. Funny that)
Seven Sisters Country Park
As I felt we were on a roll I braved driving onwards down to Seven Sisters Country Park. Seven Sisters is kind of like the white cliffs of Dover, but a bit nicer in my humble opinion. It really was a snapshot visit and I want to go back when I have more time (when?!) but I loved it immediately. It possibly helped that it was a gorgeous day but still. Note though I thought it didn’t look far to walk down to the sea – just to see Beachy Head, and even as the minutes ticked on and little guy started to get whingy, I really, really wanted to just see the sea so I carried on. I ended up jogging down, spied the sea for one second, jogged back. Hardly the most relaxing walk in the world but I still loved it.
I’m sure I suffered from PND during the first four months (at least) of the little guy being born. It was getting out on days like this (rare but doable) that really really made me feel a bit more like me again, and even…happy.
Do this trip if you like…
Real ale
Beards
Fresh sea air
Junkyards
Olde Worlde
Castles
Admiring the view
