Cycling the Sussex Countryside If you’re looking to enjoy a stay at Blue Door Barns and combine this with some fantastic cycling, then the countryside around us is a fantastic place for this. There are nearby riverside, coastal and forest trails, and some incredible views from the nearby bostals at Firle and Bo Peep. We highly recommend the Cadence Cycle Club in nearby Litlington for all your bike hire and bike map needs. Firle is the nearest and very picturesque village to Blue Door Barns and boasts a super pub if you need a mid cycle pitstop www.raminn.co.uk. There’s also a hidden way cafe called Beanstalk Cafe tucked down the Old Coach Road which runs along the foot of the Downs and welcomes cyclists Here’s a little bit of interesting information! Bostal is Sussex dialect for a small winding road up a hill, specifically the South Downs. Some will take you up and over, whereas the two closest to Lewes stop dead at the summit. Perhaps to encourage a moment to pause and take in the spectacular landscape of the South Downs National Park from your bike or even on foot if walking is more your thing. Here’s a small insight into some of the trails close to us. From Bo Peep Bostal, there’s a fabulous ride down into the Cuckmere Valley. Here you can pick up the trail along the river to Alfriston to explore its quaint pubs, medieval buildings and 14th century clergy house, the National Trust’s first ever property. Just beyond the village, the renowned Rathfinny Wine Estate stretches out across the hillside to your right, its south-facing slopes on chalk soil and the climate here providing the perfect conditions to make Sussex sparkling wines. Their year-round wine-tasting experiences aren’t to be missed. Back across the valley, the village of Litlington is home to the Long Man Brewery, Liquid Spirit Coffee Roasters and Cadence Cycle Club. Their hub and café at Church Farm is a great spot to rest and refuel (to-die-for sourdough toasties and coffee), and they’re the people to speak to if you’re interested in discovering the area on e-bike. Suitable for people all ages and abilities, they provide gentle assistance for hillier terrain and enable longer distance rides. They have a fleet of e-bikes available for hire from their Litlington hub and offer route ideas via the Komoot app. Alternatively, you can book in for a guided tour. Their half day and full day itineraries are a lovely way to see and learn about our stunning coastline and countryside. Find out more at cadencecycle.club or give them a follow @cadencecycleclub visit cadencecycle.club We can accommodate bikes here at Blue Door Barns Ff you are hiring for more than one day and have direct access onto the South Downs Way and there’s a cycle path from us all the way to Lewes too. view Morethings to do Our guide to eating out: Brighton read more Our guide to eating out: Lewes read more Our guide to eating out: Pubs read more The Bloomsbury Connection read more