The Modern Antiquarian. Stone Circles, Ancient Sites, Neolithic Monuments, Ancient Monuments, Prehistoric Sites, Megalithic MysteriesThe Modern Antiquarian

Facility Reviews by Cursuswalker

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Trevor Arms (Pub, Glynde)

I haven't been to this place for a while, however it has always seemed good when I have gone there.

The main use of this pub for folks such as us is that it provides the perfect lunch stop for a walk from Lewes, calling on Mount Caburn on the way. This walk forms part of the Druid Way, as laid down by Philip Carr-Gomm in his book The Druid Way (See Chapter 20)

Glynde also has a train station that takes you straight back to Lewes, should you find yourself staying for too long and unable to face the walk back!
6th March 2006ce

Salisbury (Youth Hostel, Salisbury)

My favourite Youth Hostel.

A little more politeness than in the average Youth Hostel, though food a little restrictive for single travellers needing early starts. I tend to bring my own.

TV in basement, so insomniacs like me can veg out till late in front of the box without bothering others.
26th January 2004ce

Truleigh Hill (Youth Hostel, Shoreham-by-Sea)

Okay...this is how I experienced it in June 1999. It might be all different now.

It is also ON the South Downs Way, so no diversions needed.

This is good.

It is a modernist block , with camping allowed in the grounds. It is very warm inside (This was June) and the food was okay.

BUT

I just can't abide the way some YHA staff talk to their guests and expect to treat them like kids. A bit more humanity and it would have got a 3 star rating from me.
26th January 2004ce

The Milbury's Inn (Pub, near Cheriton)

I was only here for a little while, but it looked nice and they didn't seem to mind a sweaty walker clomping around the place.

The South Downs Way guide that I used also speaks well of it and it is right ON the route, west of the Millbarrows.
26th January 2004ce

Barbican House Museum and Lewes Castle (Museum, Lewes)

A passable local museum, which has varied in quality over the years.

Mostly historical exhibits, and an understandable focus on the Castle next-door, but also deals with the area's pre-history.

The main attraction of this place is that it is also the headquarters of the Sussex Archaeological Society http://www.sussexpast.co.uk/, and the building houses their collection and records, though you have to be a member to get at them.
26th January 2004ce

Devils Dyke Hotel (Hotel, Brighton)

Well put it like this:

It's IN the hillfort, there are great views of the Sussex Weald, and some excellent walking right nearby, and its got all the facilities.

http://www.themodernantiquarian.com/site/3526

On the other hand, the whole hotel complex can be a nightmare of over-crowded parking, idiots who you wish had decided to go to the beach instead and screaming kids.
This is a little bit of Brighton right in the middle of the peaceful south downs and it makes little concession to its surroundings.

The food is....well think Harvester and you won't be far wrong.

I remember arriving here while walking the South Downs Way in 1999, and feeling total culture-shock. In fact I ate outside.

On the other hand, I've had some perfectly decent meals here and it can certainly service a tired walker.

Just don't expect a country pub, that's all I'm saying...
25th January 2004ce

The Jugg's Arms (Pub, Lewes)

A very good pub for walkers and drivers and a good base for exploring this section of the Downs, though it is quite a climb.

http://www.themodernantiquarian.com/site/5371

The food seems good and it's a nice place. I'll let someone else comment on the beer.
3rd January 2004ce

The Hungry Monk (Restaurant, Nr. Polegate)

http://www.hungrymonk.co.uk

I have now visited this restaurant, which merits this redone review.

It is expensive (like double what you would normally expect), but the food is very good. It's also only open in the evening, and they probably wouldn't be too keen on us turning up in our post-megalithic tramping plumage. There also isn't a huge amount of parking right near the place.

It is, believe it or not, the birthplace of Banoffi Pie and ordering this for afters is almost a requirement of eating there.

Probably not the ideal TMA eating venue overall, hence its 4 stars from me, even though it is a very good place to eat at.

Coombe Hill Causewayed Camp, is a short uphill walk through the village and along a path to the north east.

http://www.themodernantiquarian.com/site/4578
30th August 2003ce

The Giant's Rest (Pub, Polegate)

I can't comment on the beer at this place, as I don't drink the stuff.

All I know is that this is a very Pagan friendly pub, which has provided my crowd with great hospitality after our seasonal rituals up at the Long Man for quite a while, however wet we are. It also seems to be a walker's favourite.

It has a good collection of pub-games and, the following 2 year old link informs me, a range of real ales

From what I have seen, and can comment upon, the review on that link is still accurate.

This is the pub's own website:

http://www.giantsrest.free-online.co.uk/
3rd January 2003ce
I am an Atheist Naturalist Humanist Neo-Pagan Ritualist Revivalist Philosophical Druid (Yes that title is tongue-in-cheek), living and practising in Sussex.

The Long Man of Wilmington is a site of great importance for me and was the first with which I feel I connected spiritually. In 1998 I started walking extensively in the area of the Long Man as well as taking an interest in its history.

Both my grandfathers died in early 1999 (See my fieldnotes on Windmill Hill). As a way of honouring them, between April 1999 and August 2000 I walked the route from Eastbourne, in East Sussex, to The Uffington White Horse in Oxfordshire, via the South Down's Way, Winchester Cathedral, the Clarendon Way, Salisbury Cathedral, Stonehenge, Salisbury Plain, the Vale of Pewsey, Avebury and the Ridgeway.
The walk also took in visits to both of their graves, in Sussex and Wiltshire, en route.

In 2001 I extended this walk from Salisbury Cathedral, West to Wells Cathedral and then on to Glastonbury Tor.

Nearly all of my earlier pictures were taken during these walks and I tend to focus, overall, on Sussex and the South Downs.

In recent years I have also taken an interest in Ireland, as marrying into an Irish family does tend to mean one visits the place from time to time!

Although I have become an atheist, I still class myself as a Pagan. This can give rise to interesting discussions!

My TMA Content: