Dog-Friendly Lewes: Hotels, Food & Things to Do
Lewes is a pleasant town in East Sussex and home to the dog-friendly White Hart Hotel. Our visit to Lewes in East Sussex was a launchpad for the ferry trip to Dieppe in France. We were only staying for a night at the dog-friendly White Hart Hotel.
It is a rather delightful town with plenty of things to see. I loved the dog walkies and exploring the pretty little town. From my observations, Lewes would be a great place for a weekend away, mixed with some hiking in the local countryside.
The Dog-Friendly White Hart Hotel in Lewes
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We booked a night at the cheapest dog-friendly place to stay near Newhaven Ferry Port. The accommodation we chose was the White Hart Hotel. All we needed for our stay was a place to sleep before embarking on the ferry in the morning. The hotel is near the train station, thus making it easy for us to get to the ferry. You can find out more about the hotel on Booking.com.
The White Hart is a former coaching inn with Tudor origins. I found parts of the hotel to have a spooky vibe, particularly the old corridors, but saw nothing strange. After some research, there are a few mentions of it being haunted, but nothing specific.
The Room
The bedroom was rather nice. We got one in the eaves of the building with timber frames exposed. The bed was comfy, and the room was warm. We also had a shower, a bath, and coffee-making facilities in the morning. The water was far too hot for my liking, and the cold tap didn’t seem to lower the temperature.
Spa & Gym
The cheapest hotel in town rarely has a gym and spa; however, the White Hart Inn did, so we utilised it. They had a nice pool to do a few lengths in, a jacuzzi and a steam room to relax in. This was a pleasant bonus and helped us to relax after navigating the dog through London.
Is it dog-friendly?
They welcomed the dog throughout the hotel, except for the pool and spa. This is included in the bar/restaurant area, terrace and other communal areas. Henry slept well, and there were no disturbances to wake him up.
Bar & Terrace
Sadly, they were not serving food at the hotel because of staff shortages. However, guests could order takeaway and enjoy it in the bar or on the terrace. The bar was well-stocked and had some pleasant drink options. The terrace garden to the rear was my favourite spot and a great place to watch the sunset.
Things to See in Lewes
There are lots of things to see and do in Lewes and this part of Sussex. This includes visiting the seaside towns nearby and exploring the South Downs.
Lewes Castle
Sadly, Lewes Castle and Museum were closed by the time I got there; however, it was lovely for a mooch around. Outside while exercising, Henry. This is a Norman castle that supporters of William the Conqueror built after the Battle of Hastings.
Barbican Gate: A Nice Place For a Dog Walk
The Barbican Gate dates back to the 14th century and is rather nice to see. You can walk through at all times, which is ideal for a circular dog walk. This is a freestanding outer defence gate that protects the main gateway beyond. There are two guard chambers above the gate and a “fighting platform”.
Harvey’s Brewery
Harvey’s Brewery is on the banks of the River Ouse and is in a rather interesting building. They are the oldest brewery in Sussex, with a history dating back to 1790. Harvey’s does brewery tours with tastings. They also have a brewery shop. Harvey’s Brewery brews some rather nice beers here, including Sussex Best Bitter.
Lewes Market Tower
The Lewes Market Tower is a rather historic place. They built it in 1792 using red and brown bricks. The tower is home to the town’s bell, Gabriel, which came from a defunct church. Nowadays, the tower hosts events, including a regular craft fair.
Town Hall
The town hall is an interesting-looking building on the high street. The town hall has a fascinating history, including a stint as a pub in the mid-16th century.
Castle Bowling Green
The castle bowling green is a rather nice place to walk around with the dog, and there are some splendid views nearby. This is a former castle tilting ground. It has been the site of a bowling green since at least 1640. It is the home of the Bowling Green Society, which was founded in 1753. The bowling green’s history made me wonder how many bowls players have this place on their bucket list.
The Depot
The depot near the train station is a pleasant space that screens independent & foreign films. It also has a cafe, a courtyard, and an art gallery.
Food & Drink in Lewes
We were only in Lewes for one night, so we didn’t get the chance to try many of the local restaurants. However, one of our traditions on leaving the UK is to enjoy fish & chips for our last supper.
Fish & Chip Shop
We enjoyed a lovely portion of fish and chips from The Friar in the hotel’s beer garden, with a few beers from their bar. They cooked all the food to order; thus, it was fresh and delicious.
If I were staying longer, there are some fantastic-looking independent restaurants and pubs in the town. This includes Riverside Cafe Bar, which has a lovely terrace overlooking the River Ouse.
Fuego Lounge
An option for a dog-friendly place to dine out or enjoy drinks is Fuego Lounge in Lewes. Fuego Lounge is a nice cafe/pub with tasteful decor and outdoor seating. They have a great drink menu with good beer, coffee, and wine options. Fuego Lounge also has a diverse food menu, and they serve food all day. Top things on their menu include special burgers, breakfasts and even tapas. Fuego Lounge is a great option for a meal out.
Find Other Dog-Friendly Hotels in Lewes and East Sussex
Finding a dog-friendly hotel in Lewes and the rest of East Sussex is pretty straightforward. If you search on Booking.com using the ‘pets allowed’ filter, you get lots of options. This ranges from budget accommodation to more luxurious hotels. Airbnb also lets you filter for pet-friendly places to stay. It’s as simple as adding a pet as a guest when searching.