h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

Today is L for Lewes.

The East Sussex town of Lewes is situated in the gap between the South Downs through which the River Ouse flows to the sea. That gave it strategic importance, and a castle was built there soon after the Norman conquest. There was also a battle there in 1265, which has some significance in the history of the British constitution.

In the 16th century, a number of Protestant martyrs were burned in the town. This persecution is commemorated annually in a big fireword display that takes over the town centre on 5th November.

Although the River Ouse is small, it is big enough to allow some boats to sail up to the town. Thomas Paine, who wrote 'The Rights of Man' was a custom officer there. More recently, Virginia Woolf and Vanessa Bell lived close to Lewes. These connections give the town a literary feel.

Modern Lewes is an attractive place to visit, with its historic buildings, a good number of pubs and restaurants (and an independent brewery). The streets rise steeply from the river to the edges of the Downs, but there is also a nature reserve to explore where an old railway line was abandoned, and you can follow a footpath along the river towards the port of Newhaven.

[Amy P]

Deb

You make Lewes sound very attractive.