Pretty UK town with world’s most famous Bonfire Night is actually a nightmare for tourists
Transport, accommodation and even drinks are difficult to come by on the big night
DUBBED the bonfire capital of the world, the town of Lewes in East Sussex holds a world-famous event each year.
For the last several hundred years, Lewes Bonfire has taken place in the small Sussex town.
The event marks both Guy Fawkes Night and the memory of 17 martyrs from the town who were burnt at the stake for their religious beliefs.
Lewes Bonfire is organised by seven different societies, including Cliffe Bonfire Society, Lewes Borough Bonfire Society, Commercial Square Bonfire Society, South Street Bonfire Society, Waterloo Bonfire Society, Southover Bonfire Society, and Nevill Juvenile Bonfire Society.
There are thought to be more than 3,000 bonfire society members who take part in the procession each year, while up to 80,000 people have been known to watch the town’s parade.
In the last few years, I’ve been lucky enough to attend Lewes Bonfire because a handful of my friends are from the Sussex town.
Because the town’s streets and alleyways are rather narrow, the High Street in Lewes is one of the best, and safest, places to watch the torch-lit procession.
The processions can often be very loud because of the drums that accompany each of the societies.
But the noise is all part of the electric atmosphere, as are the effigies.
As part of the torch-lit procession, the societies also push a giant effigy of a controversial figure through the town’s streets.
Once the procession has finished, the societies head to their own bonfire site where the effigies are burnt on a large bonfire.
While entry to some bonfires, like Commercial Square, is free, visitors will need to pay to watch at others.
In addition to watching the effigies burn, fireworks displays also take place.
This year, Cliffe Bonfire Society has cancelled its ticket sales because of adverse weather conditions sweeping across the south of England.
This year, Lewes Bonfire will take place on Saturday, November 4, with the procession starting at around 5pm, and societies meeting at their bonfire sites at around 9.45pm.
But anyone intending to visit the world-famous bonfire night will need to be prepared.
The roads heading in and out of Lewes close before the procession gets underway, and trains don’t call at the town’s station after 3pm.
Non-residents who do want to visit will have to book overnight accommodation in the town.
Despite hotel stays being limited, Sun Online Travel have found an overnight stay at Pelham Housel, a three-star hotel in the centre of Lewes, for £210 per night, based on two people sharing a room.
While finding overnight accommodation is always a struggle, grabbing a bite to eat can also be problematic too.
The pubs are packed, so finding a seat, drink, a plate of food, and even going to the loo can be difficult.
If you do want a drink in a pub, be sure to head there in the early afternoon.
Several of the bonfire societies base themselves in local pubs too, which means they can be busier than usual too.
While overnight accommodation is available, Lewes District Council and Visit Lewes both advise non-residents against attending.
Despite the cautions from the local authority, holidaymakers have raved about Lewes Bonfire on TripAdvisor in recent years.
One person wrote: ” This an amazing experience. It’s well worth joining the thousands who go each year to watch the torchlit processions through the streets before the bonfire and fireworks display.”
A second person added: “The energy is superb, the friendliness of everyone involved, and a feeling of excitement throughout makes this such a memorable night out.
“Everyone should come to Lewes on November 5th at least once, you will never find a night like this anywhere else in the world.”
In addition to the town’s bonfire night, there are plenty of other attractions in Lewes too.
One of the town’s main sites is Lewes Castle – a 950-year-old castle built by the supporters of William the Conqueror after the Battle of Hastings.
Visitors can climb to the top of the castle to take in views of the Sussex countryside.
Entry tickets into the castle cost £10 per person.
Another autumnal attraction includes Anne of Cleves House – a medieval house dating back to the 15th century,
Despite never living there, the house was given to Anne of Cleves after her marriage to Henry VIII.
Inside the house, visitors will be able to explore a medieval kitchen as well as the parlour and bedroom.
Entry tickets into the house cost £6.60 per person.
Other activities include a visit to the Lewes Priory ruins, and Glyndebourne is an opera house in East Sussex.
Lewes is also a 30-minute drive from one of England’s best winter beaches.
Cuckmere Haven in East Sussex has been dubbed one of the thanks to its striking white chalk cliffs, sea breeze, and wintertime walks.
Meanwhile, another northern seaside town has been nicknamed the Las Vegas of the UK and it has arcades, cabaret, and sandy beaches.
The traditional seaside town of Skegness has been likened to the American city for several years.
Meanwhile, one forgotten seaside town in the south of England has won praise from a former Bond girl – it has sandy beaches and ferry links to Europe.
