areas within East Sussex
The county of East Sussex
The county of East Sussex extends from the boundary with Brighton and Hove to the west, beyond Crowborough to the north, and takes in the Cinque Ports of Hastings, Winchelsea and Rye to the east. It is bordered by the counties of Kent, Surrey, and West Sussex and, to the south, by the English Channel. The main coastal resorts in East Sussex are Brighton, Eastbourne and Hastings, while the smaller towns and villages inland make up the special character of the county. In 1997, Brighton & Hove became a self-administered unitary authority and was eventually granted city status in 2000. Intensive efforts are being made to improve the county's prosperity and create new employment opportunities. Tourism and other service industries are major features of the economy, and importance is attached to the development of links with mainland Europe to stimulate tourism, trade and commerce. East Sussex is composed of an interesting mixture of seaside towns, picturesque villages and undulating woodland and countryside. The landscape changes accordingly, from the breathtaking chalky cliffs of Beachy Head, the pebble beaches of Brighton, the breathtaking grass downs at Ditchling Beacon, to wooded areas of the Ashdown Forest, and Abbot's Wood near Battle Abbey.
A brief history
East Sussex is part of the ancient kingdom of the South Saxons, who established themselves in the 5th Century AD after the departure of the Romans. Archaeological remains are plentiful, especially on the upland areas. The area's position on the coast has also meant that there were many invaders, including the Romans and the Normans. The 14th October 1066 is possibly the most momentous date in English history, as, on that date, and in the area now known as Battle, the Battle of Hastings took place, when Harold and the second Duke William fought for the throne of England.
Living in East Sussex
There are a number of key towns in East Sussex, so whether you are searching for flats in Brighton, or for family houses in Hastings, or for retirement flats in Eastbourne, you will find a good selection of properties for sale. There are plenty of estate agents in East Sussex so, prior to choosing where you want to buy your next home, make sure you use a Primelocation agent to explore the towns and types of properties in East Sussex.
One of the most popular areas for people searching for property to buy is the vibrant city of Brighton, which attracts people with its friendly cosmopolitan and uniquely eccentric feel. Accessibility is fast making the area a popular choice with people looking for a better quality of life, with London less than an hour by train, and 50 miles by car. If you're searching for a flat in Brighton expect to pay £200k+ for a one bedroom flat in a Regency house.
There's plenty to do in Brighton, if you enjoy shopping a visit to the historic quarter of the Lanes is a must; with its mix of antiques, jewellery shops, interior design and famous labels. Or take a trip to Brighton Marina Village, which has factory outlet shops, as well as specialist shops, pubs, restaurants, a multiplex cinema, bowling alley and a number of leisure facilities. You could take a stroll on Brighton Pier, visit the Royal Pavilion, or charter a boat for a fishing trip along the coast.
Eastbourne is a town that has recently started to become popular with house buyers - gone are the days when it was labelled as being solely a place for the elderly to retire to. These days it is starting to become a desirable place to buy property, with some lovely areas to live. Little Chelsea is one of them, it is a smart area near the town centre with wine bars and two good roads for nice 'Brighton' type shops - South Street and Grove Road. Young people who are looking for flats for sale in Eastbourne will discover the town has a buzzing nightlife; as well as the existing wine bars and restaurants, a new nightclub is due to open later this year. In addition to the selection of properties for sale in Eastbourne, there are developments of brand new highly sought after waterfront properties at Sovereign Harbour, including family homes, town houses and apartments for sale. All the properties are within easy reach of local shops, cafés and restaurants.
Hastings is a town considered to be up and coming. The town has received an enormous amount of lottery funding during the past few years, which has been invested in regenerating the area. Compared to most towns on the south coast, property prices are still reasonable, making this an excellent location for people looking into purchasing property for investment purposes. Hastings is still very much a working fishing port with a huge fishing community in the Old Town. The boats go out everyday and most of the fishermen live there, and have done for hundreds of years. People searching for flats for sale in Hastings should expect to pay £95k+ for a one bedroom property in a modern block.
East Sussex is a county that has something for everyone, including a variety of schools, colleges and universities. There is plenty of culture to enjoy - Glyndebourne, one of the world's best-known opera houses, the cultural centre of Brighton with traditional galleries, the Theatre Royal and "Komedia" (a live entertainment venue). Places of interest and activities in East Sussex are too numerous to list, but amongst them you will find; Battle Abbey, lots of castles dating from Roman times to Norman and 15th century, watersports clubs, Ashdown Forest, and Hastings Country Park.
Travel and transport links in the county of East Sussex
If you're searching for property in East Sussex and transport links into London are a requirement, you will find the county has a comprehensive road and rail network. Regular train services connect main towns with London, whilst the south coast rail route connects Lewes, Eastbourne and Hastings, and has a spur from Lewes to Seaford and Newhaven. The county's road network includes trunk roads from London to Hastings, Brighton and Eastbourne. The port at Newhaven offers regular ferry services to Dieppe.