Thinking about leaving urban life behind for a more easy-going existence? Check out our Venture Out series, which has so far sized up Kent, West Sussex and Oxfordshire as potential destinations for the country dream. Here, we’re taking a look at the best places to live in East Sussex.

With rolling countryside, easy access to London, a diverse coastal scene, something-for-everyone housing stock and expanses of natural beauty covering the High Weald AONB and South Downs National Park, East Sussex offers a lot. All that and Brighton, the chilled-out coastal city with many of the thrills of London without the big-smoke pitfalls. In fact, with so many viable spots to call home, knowing where to look can be a search in itself. We’ve broken in down into a few key regions:

Close to London

The northern patch of East Sussex, sandwiched between the commuter-friendly towns of East Grinstead and Royal Tunbridge Wells, is the epitome of gentle southern England and is much sought-after, not least because trains into London take an hour or less. Consider looking around Forest Row and Crowborough, both charming and historic villages with easy access to stations. Also worth consideration are the areas around Maresfield and Uckfield, with their quiet country lanes and still easy (although slightly longer) connections.

This part of the county covers the Ashdown Forest, an area of ancient forest and heathland in the High Weald. The best homes here, like this Michael Wilford designed house, built in 2000, take full advantage of the natural setting.

Coastal

East Sussex’s stretch of coastline has something for just about anyone. Starting to the west is Brighton and Hove, which we’ll spare you an explanation of except to say that that, yes, you’ll have to deal with a few hen parties, but the cultural, dining and leisure offering more than makes up for that.

Heading east, you’ll reach Seven Sisters, less a place to live and more an iconic photo-op and day-trip destination for walks and beachside picnics. Moving further along you’ll get to Eastbourne, the peaceful, under-the-radar town with its long stretch of beach.

At Bexhill, the famous De La Warr Pavillion is one of Britain’s earliest modernist buildings, now home to an arts centre. The Art Deco vibe continues in the housing stock – search out something like this if you can. A little further out, villages like Hooe are steeped in rural charm.

Towards Kent, Hastings packs a punch – try Hastings Contemporary for art, A G Hendy and Co. Homestore for shopping and The Crown, a nationally lauded pub, for a best-in-class lunch. Homes here vary from exceptional one-off contemporary builds to more old-world and cosy in town. Down the road at St Leonard’s, the 1930s Grade II-listed Marine Court was designed to look like a ship liner and overlooks the beach, but there’s also 19th-century grandeur to be had, too.

Between Hastings and the Kent border transport links – by road and rail – are not as breezy, but keep things quiet, at least away from Camber Sands. Attractive towns like Fairlight, with its beaches at Winchelsea and Pett, are worth consideration. Moving inland, you’ll head towards the famously pretty Rye, a historic town with trains to St Pancras that take about an hour – look for something on the river if you can.

Country

Away from the coast and outside of commuter land, East Sussex makes for the defining picture of the English countryside composed of farmland, woodland, quiet lanes, rolling hills and pretty villages. And none more so than Peasmarsh, where a move will mean Sir Paul McCartney’s a neighbour – homes here range from the contemporary to the traditional. Or consider Northiam, the home of Great Dixter – in this part of the world, you can cast your net far and wide and still land something special. 

And then there’s Lewes with its historic streets, independent spirit and famous bonfire night. There’s a creative scene here too, reflected in the homes on offer, which range from the nationally lauded to sustainable new-builds and beautiful refurbs a little further out. Something for everyone, just like East Sussex, it would seem.