Quote: Wonderful setting in the Sussex countryside. Superb Gardens and lawns for picnic during the long intervals. The opera house is one of the very best in the world for acoustics, layout and musical performances. The season is from May to August and there is a two week session by the equally talented Glyndebourne touring company in September. Very best evening dress is required for the main festival. There's a selection of restaurants in the grounds for which pre-booking is essential.

Drive or train to Lewes station from where there is a company coach to and from the performance. The post performance coach gets you back to the station in time for the last train to London Victoria.

If you’re visiting Glyndebourne for a couple of performances or maybe you just like the look of the surrounding area and would like to look round for a day or two. Here’s some hints on how to make the best of the area.



Where to stay

Lewes is the obvious place to stay but the White Hart and the Crown have deteriorated alarmingly. There are links to local hotels on the Glyndebourne web site and there is a local B&B organisation http://www.lewesbandb.co.uk. The High Street still has many individual shops and plenty good quality tea places. Lewes is not known for it’s great dining experience but things are beginning to look up and there is now a decent Gastro-pub in Lewes: The Kings Head. Nearer to Glyndebourne, the Cock Inn on the B2192 provides the nearest decent pub food. There are a series of decent pubs serving good food in the villages along the A27 towards Eastbourne.



Where to go and what to do.

Brighton is an obvious choice: for nightlife, a walk by the sea or shopping.

There are a large number of very impressive public gardens nearby: Sheffield Park, Nymans and Wakehurst are just the beginning.

Firle is a pleasing village very near to Glyndebourne and would be a good place to visit the morning before a performance. It has it’s own Country House to visit, a good pub, which serves local game, easy access by car to the top of the Downs and a nearby farm shop (middle Farm), serving foodstuffs and an impressive assortments of ciders.



The kids would enjoy a visit to Newhaven Fort and everyone enjoys a few hours in Drusillas zoo.



Golf: The hilltop Lewes Golf Club presents even low handicappers with a challenge. Seaford Head is a municipal course with an unforgettable 18th. If you don’t like wind, head North to the Weald and maybe try Piltdown or the Royal Ashdown.



Local Walks: try a stroll along the Cuckmere River, or there are plenty of paths up and along the Downs. Lewes is a fine centre for walkers.There's a downloadable guide of ten walks (http://walker.hpage.com).