Rolling countryside, medieval villages, and miles of beautiful coastline make this part of England a favourite weekend destination of Londoners. East Sussex is one of England’s sunniest regions, making time spent on the pebble beaches, admiring the white cliffs, or exploring untouched heathland an even bigger delight. The region is also known for having some of the best country pubs, as well as famous annual events like the Lewes Bonfire Night Celebrations. Still commutable to London, with trains from Plumpton to Victoria taking an hour, East Sussex is an accessible country oasis. Property available in this area ranges from cottages to Georgian manor houses.
Brighton and Hove is a seaside resort as well as a year-round city, with a unique cultural identity. It is unofficially known as the gay capital of Britain, and there’s a lively arts scene. Two major universities keep a large population of students around, too.
Brighton may be the first place many people think of for a weekend of partying, but that’s just one side of the city. It’s also a great place for families, as many ex-Londoners find when they venture outside the M25 looking for a family house within budget, and find those as well as a wealth of good schools, family activities, and parks.
Still, the arts and culture scene in Brighton has earned it the nickname of London-on-Sea, and there is indeed much entertainment to choose from within the area. Enough that, unless you’re a commuter, you may not need to rely on the beleaguered Southern service to Victoria all that frequently. If you’re not too troubled by being late every day, however, Brighton’s transport links are good – just account for the traffic delays if you’re driving, or Southern’s delays if you’re travelling by rail.