When you come for an alpaca walk at Spring Farm Alpacas, you will be within easy reach of a number of stunning local attractions! Spring Farm is within the High Weald AONB (Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty). Also within the High Weald AONB and only 3 miles away from us is the Ashdown Forest with 6500 acres of stunning countryside and views.
We are just 15 minutes walk from the picturesque village of Fletching in East Sussex. The village got its name from the soldiers who “fletched” their arrows here on the eve of The Battle of Lewes in 1264. Our village church (St Andrew and St Mary the Virgin) is really beautiful and dates back to Norman times.
After your alpaca walk, you might consider a further short walk (or drive!) to our village pub – the renowned Griffin Inn. The Griffin won Country Dining Pub of the Year 2022! The Griffin can be reached from a public footpath leading from our farm entrance directly to the village which is less than a mile away. This is a lovely walk but you might want to remember the wellies if its Winter time as its across a number of small fields. Within that same distance we are very fortunate to also have Trading Boundaries. Trading Boundaries is at various times an antique Indian furniture warehouse, an outstanding music venue and bistro/restaurant with a children’s play area and now a wedding venue with accommodation on site.
The Flying Scotsman at The Bluebell Railway!
Within easy driving distance of Spring Farm are a number of stunning attractions, including:
- Sheffield Park Gardens
- The Bluebell Railway
- Bluebell Vineyard Estates
- Wakehurst Place
- The South of England Showground
- Glyndebourne
- The Ashdown Forest – Winnie the Pooh country!
- The South Downs Way
- The South Downs National Park
- Brighton and the coast
- Hickstead Showground
We can suggest a host of places to visit or to eat close by either before your alpaca walk, or after. Here are a few possible venues:
It’s in Fletching village about a mile from us. Does gastro pub food, great atmosphere and has both restaurant and bar. Food is served 12 till 9.30pm weekdays and Saturdays and 12 till 9pm on Sundays (but best to check current times). Great beer garden – “The Sussex Serengeti”! There is parking opposite the Griffin if the pub car park is full (it normally is). The Griffin is The Good Pub Guide 2022 “County dining pub of the year”.
Denniker Farm Shop and Café – just outside Fletching village:
Denniker Café
Offers “cooked breakfasts, vegetarian & vegan brunches, afternoon tea, sandwiches & savouries, snacks, cakes and daily specials”. Now fully licenced. Open Monday to Saturday, 8:30am to 4pm. Last food order 3pm. Has a loo!
It’s a short mile from us in the opposite direction to Fletching Village. It’s a bistro/Indian furniture warehouse/ music venue/ art gallery/ offers accommodation. They are open 10am till 4pm Wednesday to Sunday – last food orders are 3:30pm. “Enjoy an ever changing menu of seasonal lunch and brunch dishes, perfectly roasted coffee and locally sourced cakes & pastries. Our bar is fully licensed and boasts a fantastic natural wine menu, a wide variety of local craft beers, English sparkling wines, intriguing spirits and deliciously funky cocktails.” Just check they are not closed for a wedding event!
About 3 miles from us, the Coach is another gastro pub with great food. Open from 12 till 3pm (lunch served till 2pm), 5:30pm to “close” on Tuesday to Friday (Supper served from 6pm to 9pm); Lunch on a Saturday from 12 to 2.30pm, supper 6pm to 9pm. On a Sunday, lunch from 12 to 3.30pm (open 12pm to 6pm).
About 4 miles from us. We don’t get a chance to get out much for Sunday lunch (something to do with walking alpacas) but the one time we went here recently for Sunday lunch, the carvery was really good and good value too. They are open from 12 till 10pm Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday. 12 to 11pm other days. Sundays 12 to 8pm.
Bay & Bellflower
In the village of Fletching. The village shop has recently reopened as Bay & Bellflower (Florist and café). They are serving freshly brewed coffee, cakes and toasties alongside “blooms suitable for every moment”. They are open Tuesday to Friday 10am to 4:30pm and on Saturdays 9am to 1pm. We hope to get down there and see what’s on offer soon!
Just over 2 miles from us.
Cafe: Monday to Thursday 9.30am to 5pm; Saturday 9.30am to 8pm; Sunday 9.30 to 5pm.
Restaurant: Thursday to Sunday lunch 12 to 2.30pm
Others you might try are:
In the middle of the Ashdown Forest very pretty but slightly further away.
The Bluebell Railway taken from our water meadow at hay making time. We own 37 acres of wildflower meadows next to the Bluebell railway. Hence the picture!
