Spring Bank Holiday - what’s on

The Early Spring Bank Holiday weekend has arrived and we have put together some suggestions for places to visit and events going on.
What's on.What's on.
What's on.

Many of these depend on the weather so check they are still on before setting out.

The Spring Show is being held at Ardingly Showground in Mid Sussex on May 3/4 http://seas.org.uk/south-of-england-show/

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In Eastbourne on May 2/3 there is Magnificent Motors. Classic car extravaganza on Eastbourne’s Western Lawns. The event kicks off each day at 10am with a seafront cavalcade.

From May 1-4 there will be a Continental market selling foods from across Europe on Eastbourne seafront.

On Sunday from 8.30-11.30am, the London to Brighton Veteran Commercial Vehicles Run will pass through Crawley High Street.

On Monday from 11am, there is the Ifield May Fayre, starting at St Margarets Church with parade to Ifield Barn Theatre then the fayre.

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Hastings is preparing itself for its annual invasion of Morris dancers, as the annual ‘Jack in the Green’ festivities will be held over the May Day Bank Holiday weekend from Saturday May 2nd to Monday May 5th.

And on Monday these will be joined by tens of thousands of motorcyclists.

Brighton Fringe is the largest arts festival in England and is on from May 1-31. There are numerous events planned across the city. http://www.brightonfringe.org/

If you want to publicise an event our readers might enjoy add it below using the comments section.

Gardens open:

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Nymans Gardens - A garden lovers’ home for all seasons, with an extensive yet intimate garden set around a romantic house and ruins. Handcross. Address: Handcross, near Haywards Heath, West Sussex, RH17 6EB. www.nationaltrust.org.uk/nymans/

High Beeches - 27 acres of woodland, water gardens, and a collection of rare, exotic and award-winning plants. Address: High Beeches Lane, RH17 6HQ Haywards Heath, West Sussex www.highbeeches.com/

Sheffield Park - The garden is a horticultural work of art formed through centuries of landscape design, with influences of ‘Capability’ Brown and Humphry Repton. Address: Sheffield Park, Uckfield, East Sussex, TN22 3QX. www.nationaltrust.org.uk/sheffield-park-and-garden/

West Dean Gardens - Highlights include a 300 foot long Edwardian pergola, newly restored Sunken Garden, Walled kitchen garden, Victorian glasshouses and a beautiful parkland walk with views over the South Downs. Address: West Dean, Nr Chichester, West Sussex, PO18 0QZ. www.westdean.org.uk/Garden/Home.aspx

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Borde Hill Garden - Nestled in 200 acres of English Heritage listed Sussex parkland and woodland, with wonderful views across the Sussex Weald and the magnificent Ouse Valley. Address: Haywards Heath, West Sussex RH16 1XP. www.bordehill.co.uk/

Wakehurst Place - The country estate of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. Address: Address:Ardingly, Haywards Heath, West Sussex, RH17 6TN. www.nationaltrust.org.uk/wakehurst-place/

Places of Interest:

Standen House - An Arts and Crafts house which, with its surrounding gardens belong to the National Trust. It is a Grade I listed building. Address: West Hoathly Road, East Grinstead, Sussex RH19 4NE. www.nationaltrust.org.uk/standen-house-and-garden/

Batemans - A 17th-century house. Author Rudyard Kipling lived in Bateman’s from 1902 to his death in 1936. Address: Bateman’s Lane, Burwash, East Sussex TN19 7DS. www.nationaltrust.org.uk/batemans/

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Arundel Castle - A restored and remodeled medieval castle. it has been the family home of the Dukes of Norfolk and their ancestors for nearly 1, 000 years. Address: Arundel, West Sussex, BN18 9AB. www.arundelcastle.org/

Bluebell Railway - A heritage line running for 11 miles along the border between East and West Sussex. It uses steam trains which operate between Sheffield Park and East Grinstead, with intermediate stations at Horsted Keynes & Kingscote. Address: Sheffield Park Station, Uckfield, East Sussex, TN22 3QL www.bluebell-railway.co.uk/

Drusillas Park - Widely regarded as the best small zoo in the country with its animal and child friendly, family environment where the focus is always on involvement. Address: Alfriston, East Sussex, BN26 5QS. www.drusillas.co.uk/

Fishers Adventure Farm Park - Family attraction with horse and tractor rides, animal enclosures, adventure playground and cafes. Address: Newpound Lane, Wisborough Green, West Sussex RH14 0EG. www.fishersfarmpark.co.uk/

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The Observatory Science Centre - Interactive science, workshops and events, with a huge telescope in the astronomical observatory. Address: Herstmonceux, Hailsham, East Sussex, BN27 1RN. www.the-observatory.org/

Bodiam Castle - A 14th-century moated castle. It was built in 1385 by Sir Edward Dalyngrigge, a former knight of Edward III. Address: Bodiam, Robertsbridge, East Sussex TN32 5UA. www.nationaltrust.org.uk/bodiam-castle/

Alfriston Clergy House - The first property to be acquired by the National Trust. It was purchased in 1896 for £10. Address: The Tye, Alfriston, Polegate, Sussex BN26 5TL. www.nationaltrust.org.uk/alfriston-clergy-house/

Weald & Downland Open Air Museum - More than 40 historic buildings from south-east England have been rescued from destruction, dismantled and reconstructed on the site. Address: Town Lane, Chichester, West Sussex PO18 0EU. www.wealddown.co.uk/