Itineraries:
Antiques
Always consult the local papers for dates and times of auctions and collectors' fairs. The Yellow Pages are invaluable (also on www.yell.co.uk)
Day one
After arriving in Dover, Folkestone or Newhaven, take the A259 and A27 to historic Lewes, county town of East Sussex. As one of the south east's major centres for antiques, Lewes boasts no fewer than three auction houses and an abundance of antique shops (over 24 antique dealers) guaranteed to tempt antique lovers, collectors and browsers alike. You can easily spend a day browsing in the antique shops of Lewes, though you may also like to look for antiques in the lovely village of Alfriston nearby.
Day two
Spend the second day in Brighton & Hove. The labyrinth of narrow streets known as 'The Lanes' is a veritable casbah, of great interest to the antiques-hunter. The North Laine area, between Brighton Pavilion and the station, has many interesting ethnic, antique and speciality shops. Furniture is strongly represented, but the area also has a lot to offer bargain-hunters for smaller items and bric-à-brac.
On Saturday mornings there is a flea market in Upper Gardner Street, and on Sunday mornings a car boot and antiques market in the station car-park.
Kemp Town, in Hove, has a 7-day antiques market. Upper North Street, also in Hove, is a 'must' for antique-hunters.
Day three
Eastbourne is well endowed with antique-shops. Visit Eastbourne's Antiques Centre, and check to see if an auction will be taking place during your stay.
Bexhill, too, has its antiques quarter around Sea Road.
Hastings & St Leonards has many antique- and curio-shops offering a rich seam for the bargain-hunter. Browse around the shops at the promenade end of London Road, St Leonards, or in the delightful George Street and High Street in Hastings Old Town.
Finally, Rye must figure on the antique-hunter's list. As you enter the town from the direction of Hastings, you will immediately be struck by the many antique-shops around the bottom of Mermaid Street - but almost every street in this charming little town has an antique-shop specialising in china, prints, furniture or fine art.
It is impossible to give a complete list of the antiques centres of the area: indeed, many quality antique-shops are to be found in the villages or on country roads. If you simply drive at random, you will find your eye attracted by well-stocked antique-shop windows in places like Herstmonceux, Battle, Hurst Green, Ticehurst (try Browsers Barn at Wallcrouch), Heathfield or Uckfield.
