48 hours in LEWES

As Glyndebourne Festival celebrates its 90th anniversary, there's no better time for a weekend away in the neighbouring town of Lewes in East Sussex says Sarah Riches

- Sarah Riches

Champagne picnics, alliums in bloom and stiletto heels sinking into the lawn can only mean one thing: Glyndebourne's opera season has begun. Established in 1934, Glyndebourne Festival turns 90 this year, with five operas performed from May to August, and an autumn season in October.

Just six kilometres away lies the historic market town of Lewes, on the edge of the South Downs National Park. Not to be outdone, Lewes has its own celebrations (11th-12th May) in honour of the 760th anniversary of the clash between Henry III and Prince Edward's Royalist forces, and Simon de Montfort's rebel barons. The town will mark the occasion by re-telling the events of 14th May 1264, with a battle reenactment on the High Street and around Lewes Castle & Museum, culminating at Lewes Priory. Combat displays and demonstrations by historians take place at a medieval camp on Convent Field, nearby.

If you tend to favour shopping and pottering over battle reenactments, then Lewes has plenty to offer here, too. With its meandering river, pretty markets, antiques shops and eateries, it makes a charming weekend destination all year round. 

Shop

Lewes Flea Market

Established in 1990 in a former kilt factory that was once a Victorian redbrick Methodist chapel, this daily market is held over two floors. Up to 70 local dealers, and one based in France, sell stock all year round. You can spend hours in here, rummaging through cabinets and shelves stuffed with English and French antiques, from ceramic pots and apothecary bottles to military jackets. There's a large selection of furniture, too, such as tasselled velvet armchairs and French Louis XV wardrobes. 14a Market Street: flea-markets.co.uk

Lewes Antiques Centre