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Festival weekend planner

Sussex Wine & Sparkling Festival — a 3-day weekend in Sussex

July. Lewes, England.

The weekend, day by day

  1. Day 1

    Arrive in Lewes

    Land at London Gatwick Airport (LGW), settle in and walk the old town in the afternoon. Light dinner near your accommodation — save your appetite for the festival day.

  2. Day 2

    Sussex Wine & Sparkling Festival

    Festival day — arrive early to avoid the lunchtime crowd. Pace yourself across the tastings and break for a long lunch mid-afternoon.

  3. Day 3

    Wine country day in Sussex

    Use the third day for a single winery visit (booked ahead) and a long lunch before heading home.

Where to stay

  • Hotels in Lewes

    Live availability around the festival dates. Festival hotels book out 6+ months ahead, so check early.

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Practical

Nearest airport
London Gatwick Airport (LGW)

Insider tip

Arrive early to taste Wiston's reserve bottlings and Rathfinny's library vintages—both producers hold back limited bottles for the festival only. Bring a wine cooler bag; the South Downs' chalk terroir produces delicate, complex bubbles that degrade quickly in summer heat.

Want a longer trip than the festival weekend?

The milestone-trip planner builds a 3–10 day Sussex itinerary with accommodation, tours, and pacing options.

Plan a Sussex trip →