Glyndebourne

The drive down to Glyndebourne from Newhaven winds through proper Sussex countryside - the sort of landscape that makes you understand why someone chose this spot to build an opera house back in 1934. It's not a museum or a stately home tour; it's a working theatre, and unless you've got tickets to an actual performance, you won't get inside the main building itself. The grounds, though, are absolutely worth a wander. The gardens are genuinely lovely - formal lawns, tree-lined paths, and a real sense of occasion about the place even when there's no performance on.

For opera fans, this is pilgrimage territory. The company has a proper reputation, and people travel from across Europe to catch a show here. Tickets aren't cheap, and planning ahead is essential - performances run seasonally, mostly spring and summer. If you're not an opera person, honestly, don't bother queuing up. There's not much to do here without a ticket to the theatre itself. The grounds are pleasant rather than spectacular, and half an hour is enough unless you're catching a show.

If you're staying at one of the nearby parks - Three Ponds, The Secret Campsite, or Golden Cross - Glyndebourne makes for an interesting cultural stop-off rather than a day trip in itself. Combine it with a visit to Newhaven itself or a proper walk across the South Downs, and you've got something worth doing. Book performances months ahead if you can.