Cleve Cottage
Lewes,
East Sussex
A beautiful holiday cottage in Lewes, with easy access to explore this ancient East Sussex town and beyond. A great escape for families, friends and couples.
- Two bedrooms
- Open plan layout
- Refined design
- Lewes on the doorstep
Description
In the heart of historic Lewes, this charming two-bedroom holiday home offers a perfect blend of comfort, character and convenience. Set in a residential area just moments from the town’s vibrant high street, Cleve Cottage is ideal for couples, small families or friends seeking a relaxing escape with easy access to local culture and the South Downs.
The home boasts a warm and inviting atmosphere, with contemporary décor that reflects Lewes’s artistic spirit. The open plan living room features a cosy seating area with sofas and a Smart TV, while the dining area is the perfect spot for convivial dinners with friends or family. Next door, the excellent townhouse kitchen is fully equipped with modern appliances and a breakfast table.
Upstairs, two comfortable bedrooms await: Bedroom One features a plush king-size bed stripped floorboards, while Bedroom Two has a single bed with an additional pull-out bed to make a 180cm side-by-side twin for bookings with four guests. Both bedrooms provide a dressing table/desk for added convenience and working holidays. The sleek bathroom includes a walk-in shower, thoughtfully furnished with plenty of shelf space for washbags and toiletries.
Outside the private rear garden reveals a rustic table and bench seating, with raised planters growing a variety of herbs to compliment the art of self-catering. A relaxed spot for morning coffee, laid back alfresco appetisers or evening drinks and a BBQ. The garden is securely fenced for parents’ reassurance, and there’s also a small bike shed for storing one bike if required.
Step outside and you’re minutes from Lewes Castle, Anne of Cleves House, antique shops, independent cafés, and the scenic South Downs National Park. With excellent transport links to Brighton and London, this holiday home in Lewes is a gateway to rural charm, historic discoveries and city adventures. Whether for a weekend getaway, a longer break or maybe even as accommodation for Glyndebourne Opera and the infamous Lewes Bonfire Night, Cleve Cottage promises a memorable stay in one of Sussex’s most picturesque towns. See the ‘House info’ section for more information about this this delightful family-friendly short term rental in Lewes, East Sussex.
House info
Property features
- No pets
- Television (Smart TV)
- Wi-Fi
- Selection of books & games
- Shower
- Garden/outside space
- BBQ
- Study/workspace
- Dishwasher
- Washing machine (washer-dryer)
- Tumble dryer (washer-dryer)
- Family friendly
- Cot
- Highchair
- Bike store
- Short lets/long stays possible
- Linen & towels
Useful information and house rules
- Pets: sorry not allowed.
- Please contact us if you are interested in a stay of over 28 nights (a short-term let).
- Top tip: Adding another night or two may only cost a little extra, or sometimes nothing at all! This is a great way to add some flexibility to your stay.
- While Cleve Cottage is set on a quiet residential road, there is a primary school located just behind house so there may be increased family noise at drop-off and pick-up times (but school traffic is not allowed access to the road at these times), and some sounds of playtime during term.
- Kitchen facilities: single electric fan oven with grill, 4 gas hobs, under counter fridge, under counter freezer, dishwasher, microwave, kettle, toaster, cafetiere, Nespresso coffee machine.
- Utility area (first floor): washer-dryer.
- Iron, ironing board, clothes airer and 1 hairdryer provided.
- Due to limited space, the additional pull-out bed in Bedroom Two will only be set up and linen provided for bookings of four guests. For bookings with three guests or fewer, Bedroom Two will be made up as a single.
- The third storey of the house is closed to guests and access is not permitted. A tall safety gate is fitted to prevent curious little ones from exploring.
- One infant up to age 2 is welcome in addition to the total guest capacity. 1 travel cot (please bring bedding) and 1 highchair are available on advance request.
- Visitor permits for one car are provided for each full day of your stay, allowing free parking in the nearby streets. Additional cars can park locally using pay-and-display (£3.45 per day, correct as of September 2025). On-street parking is subject to availability. Local on-street parking is not allowed on Lewes Bonfire Night.
- Gas Central Heating.
- Wi-Fi: Standard Speed (5-30Mbps)
Accessibility: one step up (15cm) over the front door threshold. One step down (15cm) over the back door threshold into the rear garden, and another step down (15cm) a little further along the path. Standard L-shaped staircase (with banister) to the first floor landing, leading to the bedrooms and bathroom. Small lip (3cm) into the walk-in shower. Other internal floors are even and level, with no internal steps (slight lips (1cm) on some floor joins between rooms). This is intended as a guide only and accuracy is not guaranteed, please contact us if you need more info. Measurements are approx.
Video
Floorplan
Local area
Nestled in the heart of East Sussex, Lewes is a charming market town brimming with history, culture, and natural beauty. Just waiting to be explored are the Norman-era Lewes Castle offering panoramic views of the South Downs, or step back in time at Anne of Cleves House, a Tudor gem gifted by Henry VIII at the end of their marriage.The town’s cobbled streets are lined with independent shops, cosy cafés and traditional pubs, perfect for leisurely strolls and browsing. Try the Fifteenth Century Bookshop for literary delights, or enjoy a classic tipple on the Harveys Brewery Tour followed by perhaps another sample or two at the ABYSS and Beak Breweries. Lewes is famed for its Bonfire Night celebrations, one of the most dramatic in the UK, drawing thousands each November. Art lovers will appreciate the vibrant creative scene, while nature enthusiasts can enjoy scenic walks through the South Downs National Park that surrounds the town. Whether uncovering medieval secrets, browsing local produce at the farmers’ market, or relaxing in Southover Grange Gardens, Lewes offers a delightful blend of past and present in a picturesque setting. A real hidden treasure for curious travellers.
For those with a love of the arts you simply cannot miss the unique experience of Glyndebourne Opera just 3 miles away, book (very) early as its season of operatic events sells out fast! For a different pace of music try the Love Supreme Jazz Festival in early July.
8 miles west, the vibrant city of Brighton proudly exudes its lively and cosmopolitan atmosphere, and is well worth a trip to see the sights and embrace its effervescent joie de vivre. Sheffield Park Gardens, the Bluebell Railway, and the acclaimed Ridgeview and Bluebell Vineyards are all within a 10-mile drive north and are highly recommended to visit.
To the east, also close by are Charleston Farmhouse and gardens, the award-winning Drusillas Zoo and Park, Firle Place, the Long Man of Wilmington and Airbourne and international tennis at Eastbourne. The Downs meets the sea at this eastern end of the National Park and it really is a most picturesque area, in particular the contrasting landscapes of the rolling downlands and open views at Cuckmere Haven, and the chalk cliffs of Beachy Head and the Seven Sisters.
Click here for more information about holiday activities and things to see and do in and around Lewes
Map
Reviews
Wonderful weekend in Lewes!
We had a wonderful weekend at Cleve Cottage! The house is so beautifully decorated, it felt like staying in a boutique hotel but with all the comforts of home. Positioned in the prettiest part of Lewes and within walking distance of the high street and train station we could not fault the location, we were worried about the lack of parking but the owners left us parking permits and getting parked near the house was never a problem. We will definitely recommend Cleve Cottage to our family and friends and hopefully return ourselves one day.
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