Overview
God gives all men all earth to love,
But since man’s heart is small,
Ordains for each one spot shall prove
Beloved over all.
Each to his choice, and I rejoice
The lot has fallen to me
In a fair ground—in a fair ground—
Yea, Sussex by the sea!
Kipling 1902
Sussex has proved a true muse for writers over its history: Kipling, for example, wrote of the “Blunt, bow headed, whale backed Downs”.
The beautiful landscape of the South Downs and the Sussex coast have inspired such authors and poets as William Blake (who composed Jerusalem here, no less), and Hillaire Belloc, author of Cautionary Tales, who lived at Slindon and Shipley and wrote of the ruin of Halnaker windmill (now restored!).
Please call Maria on 01903 413606 or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. to discuss possible arrangements.
4 night Itinerary
Day 1 Arrive from 4pm, welcome and introduction
Day 2 Chawton and Uppark
We drive through the beautiful downland scenery to arrive at Chawton. Jane Austen wrote Mansfield Park, Emma and Persuasion at this charming village house, which is shown as it would have looked in the early 1800s and contains her actual writing desk. Special displays mark the 200th anniversary of the publication of Persuasion "It is universally acknowledged that a single man inpossession of a good fortune, must be in want of a wife" (chapter 1).
After Lunch in Chawton we make our way back east to the stately home Uppark, between Petersfield and Chichester. HG Wells spent his childhood here in Victorian times because his mother was housekeeper and the complete servants' quarters are shown as they were then. The house remained unchanged throughout the 1800s and has been meticulously restored by the National Trust with its Georgian interior, famous Grand Tour collection and 18th-century dolls' house with original contents. The beautiful and peaceful gardens are in the early 19th-century Picturesque style.
Day 3 Portsmouth and Arundel
We begin at the Charles Dickens Birthplace museum 1 Mile End Terrace, Portsmouth, furnished as it would have been when it was his parents first married home in the early 1800s. It houses many of his possessions, including the couch on which he died.
On our drive back towards Arundel, we stop at Halnaker Windmill, immortalised by Hillaire Belloc as Sally, a metaphor for the declining of Europe:
SALLY is gone that was so kindly,
Sally is gone from Ha'nacker Hill
And the Briar grows ever since then so blindly;
And ever since then the clapper is still...
And the sweeps have fallen from Ha'nacker Mill.
It's now restored but not working anda short climb rewards us with marvellous views over the Downs and sea. We then visit Slindon which was home to Belloc and is now a National trust village. In Arundel with its
Day 4 The Sussex Coast and Chichester
We drive along the coast, stopping at Felpham where William Blake wrote Jerusalem and Bognor Regis where James Joyce stayed, before driving through the Manhood Peninsular to West Wittering. Kipling loved the Sussex coast and wrote of it in the poem Eddi's Service. It's the setting for "The conversion of St Wilfrid" in Rewards and Fairies and we have a (usually quite blustery) walk around East Head where sea and land meet
We arrive in Chichester in time for lunch and a guided walk around the city. Visit the cathedral where the Arundel tomb inspired Larkin to write "Side by side, their faces blurred, the earl and countess lie in stone"
Day 5 Departure
Please pack up your room by 11. If you have time you're welcome to leave your bags and explore further, perhaps using one of our guides to local walks.
3 night Itinerary
Day 1 Arrive from 4pm, welcome and introduction
Day 2 Chawton and Chichester
We drive through the beautiful downland scenery to arrive at Chawton. Jane Austen wrote Mansfield Park, Emma and Persuasion at this charming village house, which is shown as it would have looked in the early 1800s and contains her actual writing desk. Special displays mark the 200th anniversary of the publication of Persuasion “It is universally acknowledged that a single man inpossession of a good fortune, must be in want of a wife” (chapter 1).
We start our visit to Chichester with a guided walk around the city. You are thenfree to explore this historic city with its cathedral, where the Arundel tomb inspired Larkin to write “Side by side, their faces blurred, the earl and countess lie in stone”, themodern art gallery, new museum and Roman walls.
Day 3 The Sussex Coast and Arundel
We drive along the coast, stopping at Felpham where William Blake wrote Jerusalem and Bognor Regis where James Joyce stayed, before driving through the Manhood Peninsular to West Wittering. Kipling loved the Sussex coast and wrote of it in the poem Eddi’s Service. It’s the setting for “The conversion of St Wilfrid” in Rewards and Fairies and we have a (usually quite blustery) walk around East Head where sea and land meet
On our drive back towards Arundel, we stop at Halnaker Windmill, immortalised by Hillaire Belloc as Sally, a metaphor for the declining of Europe:
SALLY is gone that was so kindly,
Sally is gone from Ha'nacker Hill
And the Briar grows ever since then so blindly;
And ever since then the clapper is still...
And the sweeps have fallen from Ha'nacker Mill.
It’s now restored but not working anda short climb rewards us with marvellous views over the Downs and sea.
Arundel is set on a hill rising from the River Arun. The picturesque town has grown up over the last 1000 years around the magnificent castle. We visit the historic castle then you are free to explore the streets packed with interesting, individual shops from antique to designer, the numerous cafes and restaurants and the idyllic riverside walk. Swanbourne Lake and cafe is a short stroll along the river
Day 4 Departure
Please pack up your room by 10 am. If you have time you’re welcome to leave your bags and explore further, perhaps using one of our guides to local walks.
