Hello and welcome to Lewes! Lewes is a small historic town, just over an hour by train from London, 15 minutes from Brighton and 35 minutes from Gatwick airport, yet in the middle of the beautiful South Downs national park - so you can enjoy both the city and the countryside during your holiday.

Our house dates from 1790, and was formerly a gunshop and bakery. The house is only 10 minutes' walk from Lewes train station, and the main shopping area. Just behind our house is a field that you can use for outdoor games. There is a private parking space next to the house.

On the second floor there are two large double bedrooms. They both contain double beds, but one can be made into two single beds if you prefer.

On the first floor is the large master bedroom, opposite the family bathroom.

The whole of the ground floor is open plan. Glass doors open onto the courtyard garden which has a seating area and a barbecue.

The kitchen has a dishwasher, a microwave, oven and hob and a large fridge. The dining table seats 6, but can be expanded to seat 8-10.

The kitchen leads into the living room which has two sofas, seating 5 people. The cupboards contain lots of toys for 7-12 year olds, and an enormous range of DVDs. We also have a Playstation 3.

In the basement is a playroom/movie room. Next door is a utility room with a washer, dryer and another shower and toilet.

Lewes has interesting architecture, antique shops, pubs and cafes, Harveys Brewery, a weekly market and a lively cultural scene. A few minutes' walk from our house you can explore Lewes Castle, Anne of Cleeves' House, the Priory ruins and Grange Gardens. Children will enjoy the Railway Lands nature reserve, Spring Barn Farm, the Leisure Centre and (in summer) the Pells outdoor pool.

Just outside Lewes are the beautiful chalk South Downs hills for walking, horseriding and mountain biking. In ten minutes you can walk from the house to the South Downs or to the River Ouse. Lewes is a good stopping point for people walking The South Downs Way. You can also hike along the Ouse River and in the Ashdown Forest (home of Winnie the Pooh). There are lots of country pubs, and many grand country houses and gardens, including the homes of Virginia Woolf and the Bloomsbury group. Families can enjoy Drusillas zoo, the Brighton Aquarium, the Bluebell and Lavender steam railway lines, and several farm parks . Opera lovers will want to visit the Glyndebourne opera house. The seaside is only 30 minutes' drive from our house, and Brighton is a short train or bus ride away for shopping, The Aquarium and The Royal Pavilion, theatres, clubs, live music and restaurants. The south of England region is easily accessible from Lewes, by car or by public transport. There are direct trains from Lewes to central London in just over an hour. There are ferries to Dieppe, France from Newhaven (25 minutes drive away), and train connections from Lewes to Paris.

For more ideas for your stay: http://www.enjoysussex.info/what-to-do/ http://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/main/w-global/w-localtoyou/w-south_east.htm http://sussexpast.co.uk/properties-to-discover http://www.nationaltrail.co.uk/southdowns/ http://www.vivalewes.com http://www.charleston.org.uk/