Go deep into local history at Battle and Alfriston

Park your car at Market Square Car Park and walk 10 minutes to St Mary the Virgin, a 900-year-old church in Battle. The listed building itself is worth the visit, but it also houses the Battle Tapestry, an 8 m-long embroidered depiction of the town’s past. It took 741 stitchers 10 months to complete, and now serves as the perfect intro to this historic community.

Continue your learning at the Battle Museum of Local History, a volunteer-run center of learning with exhibits from prehistory, including dinosaur bone fragments, to the Second World War. After nosing around the exhibits, head outside and enjoy downtime in the surrounding Almonry Gardens, admiring their award-winning displays.
Open: Tuesday to Thursday, 10:00 to 16:30

Put all that learning into context with an exploration of the site in which the Battle of Hastings took place. Here, Anglo-Saxons and Normans clashed in a brutal conflict, ending in the death of King Harold and the crowning of William the Conqueror. There’s a trail telling the story of that fateful day, while a look around William’s Battle Abbey is a must. Best to book tickets in advance on the English Heritage website. Don't forget to collect your car from Market Square Car Park.
Open: Tuesday to Sunday, 10:00 to 17:00

Quiet that rumbling belly with a pit stop at the Bluebells Tearoom, conveniently located opposite your next stop. If you’re really hungry – or just fancy indulging in an age-old British tradition – opt for a classic afternoon tea. For something a bit lighter, Bluebells does a decent range of sandwiches and panini.
Open: Wednesday to Saturday, 11:00 to 16:00

It’s time to start heading back towards Brighton. Along the way, stop in Alfriston, a traditional village in the South Downs National Park. Park your car at The Willows car park and head straight to Clergy House, the first-ever National Trust property. If you want to go in, booking ahead on the National Trust site is essential. Built in the early 15th century as a home to the parish priest, it’s now one of the last-remaining examples in the village of Wealden-style homes. Though it's only open Fridays and Saturdays, it's worth admiring from the outside whatever day you visit.
Open: Friday and Saturday, 10:30 to 16:00

Next, pop into St Andrew’s Church, also known as the Cathedral of the South Downs. No-one quite knows why a church this grand was built for a small village – perhaps you will unlock the secret as you admire its 14th-century walls. Make sure you check out the medieval scratch dial on the south wall.

Finish with dinner at The George Inn, a timber-beamed pub built in the 14th century. When it’s cold, warm your cockles by the fireplace; when it’s hot, head to the walled gardens and enjoy your grub with views of the Cuckmere River and South Downs. And if you want to extend your journey, there are rooms to book too; if not, collect your car from The Willows and continue your return journey.

Full, happy and now an expert on East Sussex history, it’s time to return to Brighton, where this route comes to end.