BISC MINIBUSES

Your FREE Transport Service

EXPLORE!

Fall Term 2017

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WELCOME TO THE BISC!

Take advantage of the FREE minibus service 7 days a week during term time.

Our friendly and knowledgeable drivers Darren, Lynne, Adam and Katie, will take you to local towns and villages, places of interest, volunteering opportunities and sports facilities. The minibus also links you to public transport buses and trains.

HOW IT WORKS

Monday through Thursday Minibuses mostly run to local towns for trains and public buses, shopping and banking, cinemas, sports facilities and volunteering opportunities.

Friday through Sunday Get out and explore the local area. Each week there are minibus trips to various places, as well as railway station drops and pick-ups.

WHAT YOU DO

• Check out the weekly schedules and destination leaflets displayed at: Bader Hall Reception (plus destination leaflets) Castle Reception Online at http://bisc/castleinfo/Pages/Minibus-Diary.aspx (plus destination leaflets, maps of local towns, train and bus timetables)

• The destination leaflets give you an idea of what there is to do, frequency of trips, and how long it will take you to get there.

• Choose the trips you want to take and sign up at Bader Hall Reception. Please also sign up for special trips put on at your request.

• Get on the bus at Castle Reception.

• If you change your mind, take your name off the list so someone else can ride the bus in your place.

• If you’d like to go somewhere specific on a particular day (journey distance no more than 1 hour away please – check Google Maps), e-mail [email protected] by Tuesday of the week before, e.g. by Tuesday of week 2 for a trip in week 3.

• Just one last thing: No alcohol may be carried or consumed on any vehicle owned or hired by the BISC.

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LINKS TO PUBLIC TRANSPORT Use the minibus as a ‘jumping off’ point for more travel options

Railways

Railways are usually the fastest, though not the cheapest, form of public transport.

For Eastbourne, Lewes or Brighton, use Polegate station.

For London Victoria and further afield use any of the following stations: Polegate, Eastbourne, Lewes or Brighton.

For Gatwick Airport use Polegate, Eastbourne, Lewes or Brighton.

For Hastings, Rye or Ashford International use Polegate or Eastbourne.

Southern Railway general information: http://www.southernrailway.com/

Southern Railway timetable: http://www.southernrailway.com/your-journey/plan-your-journey/timetables/ For Tunbridge Wells (great shopping here!), London Bridge, London Charing Cross and further afield use Battle.

South Eastern Railway general information: http://www.southeasternrailway.co.uk/

South Eastern Railway timetable: http://www.southeasternrailway.co.uk/your-journey/timetables/

Buses

Buses are a cheaper way to travel than train, but slower. However, you can get to places the train doesn’t reach. You might also get a better look at some towns and villages as you pass through.

For comprehensive bus timetabling, maps, street views and lists of stops see https://bustimes.org.uk/regions/SE for our area ‘East Sussex’. Lots of information here, but quite easy to use:

Example 1: to go to , select ‘Wealden’ then click ‘Herstmonceux’ for buses passing through the village. The 98 goes to Hailsham (and Polegate station). Click ‘98’ to find the detailed timetable. Example 2: to get from Sovereign Harbour Asda to Eastbourne centre, select ‘Eastbourne’ then click ‘Sovereign Harbour North’. The 51 goes to Eastbourne (and Hailsham). Click ‘51’ for the detailed timetable.

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REGULAR MINIBUS DESTINATIONS

Herstmonceux village 5 minutes’ ride away, the nearest place for: public buses (see p3), post office, cash machine, pharmacy, doctor’s surgery, small grocery shop, other small shops, pubs and restaurants.

Polegate town 20 minutes’ ride away: nearest railway station for trips to Eastbourne, Hastings, Brighton, Gatwick Airport, London and further afield (see p3). You can also catch public buses here (see p3).

Sovereign Harbour 25 minutes’ ride away for: large Asda (Walmart) supermarket, large Boots drug store, some clothing shops, restaurants and a large cinema showing the latest movies. Also public buses here (see p3).

Battle town 30 minutes’ ride away: this is where the Battle of Hastings took place in 1066. Plenty of small shops as an alternative to Hailsham. Visit the 1000-year-old Battle Abbey where Canadian servicemen were stationed during the 1939-45 war. The railway here will take you to Tunbridge Wells, London Bridge and Charing Cross (see p3).

Ravenside Retail & Leisure Park 30 minute’s ride away: An ideal shopping destination with 14 units including a large supermarket, large Boots drug store, clothes store, fast food outlets and a swimming pool.

Eastbourne town 40 minutes’ ride away, the nearest large town for: tourist information, railway and bus stations (see p3), banks, post office, all kinds of large and small shops, coffee shops, restaurants, pubs, cinema, night clubs, theatres, art gallery, museums, churches, swimming pool at the eastern end of town, the beach and lots more… The railway will take you to Polegate, Lewes, Brighton, Gatwick Airport, London, or Bexhill, Hastings, Rye and Ashford International.

Alfriston village 40 minutes’ ride away: a truly picturesque Sussex village, steeped in The Star Inn history, with narrow streets, a church known as ‘the Cathedral of the Downs’, tea shops for real English cream teas, individual shops, the Clergy House National Trust property, river walks and access to the South Downs.

Lewes town 40 minutes’ ride away: another ancient town; this one has a castle to visit. Henry VIII gave his fourth wife, , a house here, Thomas Paine (Rights of Man) lived at Bull House and the Bloomsbury Group writer Virginia Woolf lived in Pipe Passage near the castle. There are restaurants, banks, a post office, small shops and a few large shops, plus many pubs to try the famous Harvey’s Beer which is brewed here. There’s also a regular Saturday street market with lots of delicious local food to try! Public buses and railway here.

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Hastings Old Town 50 minutes’ ride away: an historic fishing town; see the old sheds on the beach once used to dry fishing nets and the fishing boats still in use. Enjoy the quintessential British meal of fish and chips fresh from the sea and explore the narrow, cobbled streets and quirky individual shops. If you have a taste for the macabre, try the True Crime Museum! Or if not, the pier is newly re-opened. Public buses and railway here.

Rye town 50 minutes’ ride away: this historic port has a very colourful history. Explore the fascinating narrow cobbled streets and buildings, such as the haunted Mermaid Inn (re-built in 1420!), used to billet Canadian officers during the 1939-45 war. Lots of interesting shops and tea rooms. You can also catch the train from Polegate to Rye.

Tunbridge Wells 1hour’s ride away: there are 2 sides to Tunbridge Wells; the elegant Pantiles with its charming Georgian colonnades, tearooms and unique shops or a short stroll up the hill to the Royal Victoria Shopping Centre; a great indoor place for shopping and down the escalator you’ll find the food hall.

Brighton city 1hr & 20 minutes’ ride away (or around 30 minutes by train from Polegate): known as ‘London by the Sea’, Brighton is a large, vibrant city where there is always plenty happening. Visit the amazing Chinese- and Indian-influenced Royal Pavilion, and Brighton Museum and Art Gallery.

The Royal Pavilion

Brighton Royal Pavilion Explore the North Laine area which is buzzing on a Saturday, sometimes with street performers; always with pubs, restaurants, funky clothing shops, great second-hand book shops and see if you can find the shop selling homemade fudge (like taffy) in lots of different flavours! The main area of Brighton also boasts nightclubs, cinema, theatres, many large shops and of course the beach and pier; plus railway to Gatwick Airport, London and further (see p3). So much to see and do…

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OTHER SUGGESTED DESTINATIONS

Bodiam Castle: semi-ruined castle which bears a strong resemblance to our own from the outside. De La Warr Pavilion, Bexhill: cinema, music, comedy, art, sculpture, all housed in an architecturally important 1930s building. Hailsham: Shops, tearooms, bars and cinema/theatre. Michelham Priory: 800-year-old moated former priory. Birling Gap & East Dean: For the beach or a hike Cuckmere Haven: Wonderful scenery. Seaford Head: Lovely walks and breath-taking scenery. Winnie-the-Pooh Tour: Play Pooh sticks and see AA.Milne’s inspiration for his timeless tales.

Local pubs - lots to try: The Lamb at Wartling; The Bull’s Head at Boreham Street; The Tiger at East Dean; The Plough at Upper Dicker…

Don’t forget this is your minibus and we welcome destination suggestions (within 1 hour’s drive) at [email protected]

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WHERE CAN I FIND…?

Herstmonceux Ravenside Sovereign Polegate Battle Eastbourne Lewes Brighton Village Retail Park Harbour Cash machine √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ Bank √ √ √ √ √ Post office √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ Supermarket √ √ √ √ √ √ Hairdresser √ √ √ √ Pharmacy √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ Doctor √ √ * Railway station √ √ √ √ √ Public bus stops √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ Public bus station √ √ Swimming pool √ √ √ Cinema √ √ √ Tea/coffee shop √ √ √ √ √ √ Restaurant √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ Pub/bar √ √ √ √ √ √ √ Nightclub √ √ Theatre √ √ Art gallery √ √ √ Beach √ √ √

*Walk in service only. See the full transportation policy at: http://bisc/castleinfo/PoliciesandRegulations/Pages/Transportation-Policy.aspx 7