Staying with us for the night? Make it a couple and explore the amazing counties we border...

The Wiremill sits on the corner of the three counties. These counties are Surrey, Kent and Sussex. What this means for our customers is some amazing days out and trips to historic venues, often tucked away down roads you would never know were there.

This is not an exhaustive list of what’s available, just a taste.

Historic houses and Gardens

There are a number of houses either owned by the National Trust, or private in our region.

Hever Castle - The childhood home of Anne Boleyn

Open 11th February 2012 - 31st December 2012, but see their website for more details

Distance from the mill: 10 miles, 27 minutes.

Hever Castle and Gardens is a historic British landmark with enchanting double-moated castle and 125 acres of spectacular gardens to explore. Once the family home of one of England’s most famous Queens – Anne Boleyn, the intriguing second wife of Henry VIII and mother of Elizabeth I.

The Castle houses historic 16th century portraits, paintings, furniture, tapestries and treasures for visitor to explore and disappear back into the days of times gone by.

Visitors can explore the magnificent gardens for all seasons which include Italian, Rose and Tudor gardens, topiary, yew maze and splashing water maze, or take a stroll around the informal areas of Sunday Walk and Anne Boleyn’s Walk.

Hever hosts a number of special events throughout the season including gardening events with the Head Gardener and his team. Family fun includes the Jousting Tournaments each summer in July and August which are fantastic.

See their webiste click here

Standen House and Gardens - National Trust Site

Open 11th February 2012 - 23st December 2012, but see their website for more details

Distance from the mill: 5 miles, 11 minutes.

Discover a family home in this gem of the Arts and Crafts Movement. Standen is hidden at the end of a quiet Sussex lane with breathtaking views over the High Weald and Weirwood Reservoir. The design of the house is a monument to the combined genius of architect Philip Webb and his friend William Morris.

All the big names of the Arts and Crafts period are represented, including ceramics by William De Morgan and metalwork by W. A. S. Benson. The beautiful hillside gardens provide year-round interest and the woodlands, a number of easily accessible walks.

See their website click here

Wakehurst Place - The country estate of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew

Open all year round, but see their website for more details

Distance from the mill: 10 miles, 20 minutes.

Open throughout the year, Wakehurst is the country estate of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, and is the National Trust’s most visited property.

The beautiful botanic garden is internationally significant for its collections and also its vital scientific research and plant conservation. Enjoy visiting woodland and lakes, formal gardens, the Elizabethan house and Kew's Millennium Seed Bank.

In 2010, Wakehurst marked an international conservation milestone, conserving the seeds of 10 per cent of the world’s plant species for the future. It now embarks on the target of conserving a quarter of the world’s plant species by 2020.

Note: funded and managed by the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. Free for National Trust members.

See their website click here

Scotney Castle - Tim’s mum, Mia’s favourite site

Open all year round, but see their website for more details

Distance from the mill: 40 miles, 50 minutes.

Scotney Castle is quite simply one of the most stunning, picturesque gardens in England, with two celebrated former homes on one site and just one of the reason why Mia loves it so much. Although the longest drive from the Wiremill from our selection, it is simply a stunning estate and you can make a full day of the trip taking in the historic towns of Edenbridge or Tunbridge Wells for a spot of lunch or shopping trip. 

You can enjoy the newly opened rooms in the Victorian mansion or simply explore the stunning ruins of the 14th-century moated castle, which is the magnificent focal point of this truly romantic garden.

Spectacular displays of rhododendrons, azaleas and kalmia can be seen in May and June with trees and shrubs providing brilliant autumnal colour. The 310-hectare (770-acre) estate is open all year, offering a variety of wonderful walks through beautiful parkland, woodland and farmland.

See their website click here

Sheffield Gardens - Magnificent flowering landscapes

Open all year round, but see their website for more details

Distance from the mill: 14 miles, 25 minutes.

This magnificent informal landscape garden was laid out in the 18th century by 'Capability' Brown and further developed in the early years of the 20th century by its owner, Arthur G. Soames. The original four lakes form the centrepiece.

There are dramatic shows of daffodils and bluebells in spring, and the rhododendrons and azaleas are spectacular in early summer. Autumn brings stunning colours from the many rare trees and shrubs, and winter walks can be enjoyed in this garden for all seasons. Visitors can now also explore South Park and East Park, areas of historic parkland with stunning countryside views.

See their website click here

Great trips out from the Mill

There are some fab local attractions to the Wiremill and some amazing towns and cities. These are just some of the things you can do around us.

The Blue Bell Railway

Open all year round, but see their website for more details

Distance from the mill: 15 miles, 28 minutes.

Keeping steam alive in Britain, the volunteers and steam engine enthusiasts (Finn, Tim’s 2 year old son is becoming a big fan!) have created a very special visitor attraction. They are actively campaigning to extend the northern section of the line, which would be amazing for us as they could come into East Grinstead and be even closer to visit, but for now they run trains from two station platforms, either are equally as close to us, but our preferred station is Sheffield Park, just 28 minutes away.

They offer a number of facilities including the museum so click on the below link and see all of the details for yourself.  The main attraction is the Golden Arrow, an amazing engine.

See their website click here

Lingfield Racecourse, a fab days racing to be found

Open all year round!

Distance from the mill: 3 miles, 9 minutes.

The all weather track at the stunning Lingfield Park racecourse makes to a totally amazing day or afternoon out. Most racing fixtures start in the afternoons or evenings through out the season so there is plenty of opportunity to either eat at the Wiremill and head down to the track or come to us after the racing meet.

For the afternoon races the gates open at 11am, first race is normally at 1.00pm and the last race is at 4.00pm. We serve breakfasts to those who are keen, lunch to those who want to make the first race and early evening dinner for those who stay for the last race!

See their website for more information click here

Godstone Farm and Playbarn

Open all year round!

Distance from the mill: 7 miles, 11 minutes.

A brilliant concept for the kids and adults alike! One of our passions is buying and supporting local, but also knowing where our produce comes from. If we had more room at the Wiremill we would certainly try and copy some of the ideas they have at the farm, but Anthony won’t let Tim have his own ‘pub chickens’ on the flat roof at the pub and there really isn’t anymore space for animals!

We know they were headline news sometime ago with a horrible break out of E.coli and we couldn’t even imagine what it was like for the parents and what we would have done if Finn was one of them, but that is behind them measures put in place so it restricted from happening again. It is a fabulous concept; putting children in front of animals and seeing their faces glow. 

See their website for visitor information click here

Tulleys Farm

Open until September each year.

Distance from the mill: 8 miles, 16 minutes.

Most famous for its ‘corn field of dreams’ by national geographic, the farm hit the headlines for its brilliant concept. Since then a stunning farms shop hosting a butchers, deli counter, endless boxes of local and British produce bulge from the shop.

We use any of the same artisan producers that supply the shop and love the fact they are supported in the county by businesses such as Tulleys.

If your driving down to Brighton from us, its worth popping your head in and having a look at the shop if you don’t fancy getting lost in the maize for the rest of the day and a nice way of getting down to Brighton or Lewes without just sitting on the motorway.

See the amazing maize maze and fun farm website click here

To see the farm shop website click here

Alexander House, Forget the kids and pamper yourself!

Open all year round!

Distance from the mill: 6 miles, 14 minutes.

A stunning boutique hotel and spa, Alexander House is at the top end of luxury. The amazing award winning spa offers day visits so you can relax in total tranquility. The service is second to none and all the staff are lovely.

A fab treat for a loved one, or for yourself, save some pennies and just blow it!

See their website for more info click here

Our fab towns and cities

We have some beautiful villages around the Wiremill with quaint shops and some great towns and cities. These are just our pick and quick overview so you can see whats around us.

East Grinstead, one thousand years of welcoming visitors

Open all year round!

Distance from the mill: 3 miles, 7 minutes.

The closest town to the Wiremill is East Grinstead. One of the most historic towns in the county it holds some real treasures, local producers and shop keepers that have been serving the community for generations.

The old tudor buildings line the top of the town with boutique shopping and the more modern part of the town house the usual suspects and high street brands. The towns history revolves around iron making, as so with the mill and this can be seen in the style of buildings that once stood as very different trades in the day when Iron was thriving. The historic link between the Wiremill and the town is covered in the history of the mill and as time has moved on and both have had to adapt the signs of the past still shine through.

See the towns tourist website for more info click here

Brighton, its only down the road!

Open all year round!

Distance from the mill: 30 miles, 40 minutes.

What is there we could write that hasn’t been said about Brighton? We love it! Filled with more than most cities in the country, and it own seafront.

Top picks we would do;

1. -Obviously take a run along the pier, its great fun
   

2. -Walk the North lanes if your interested in antiques and possibly looking for a ring?
   

3. -Walk the south lanes if you want your eyes open and take a liberal approach to the day
   

4. -View the Brighton Dome in person, it really is magnificent
   

5. -Dine on the seafront with a great pack of fish and chips from Mike (just up from the Ship hotel on the seafront)
   

6. -Sit on the beach, throwing stones into the water until the sun goes down, or for the brave, miss the traffic and get down there to see sun up, it is amazing
   

See the visit Brighton website for more info click here

Lewes, make it on the same day, or tie it in with a visit to the Brewery

Open all year round!

Distance from the mill: 25 miles, 40 minutes.

Anthony and I love Lewes. Full of flee markets, antique shops and of course one of our fab breweries, Harvey’s.

When we created the rooms in the Mill, this was a must visit town to find some of the quirky and interesting pieces of furniture. Filled with history the town is a must visit if you want to absorb some of the history of the county and 1066 legacy times.

Holding onto many of the historic landmarks of the time, the town really allows you to experience just what it must have been like back in the day with the castle sitting above the sprawling town. Bills is a great place for a coffee and slice of cake and you just must visit the Snowdrop Inn. Tony and Dominic have created an amazing pub with the Snowdrop, fantastic real ales, amazing home cooked food and lovely welcome, its one of our favourites in Sussex. click here to see their funky website.

See the visit Brighton website for more info click here