The towns and villages across Sussex ensure Bonfire Night goes off with a bang.
 
With over 25 Sussex villages taking it in turns to celebrate this fiery period of history throughout October and November every year, the peaceful and beautiful county is about to be overrun with blazing bonfires, burning effigies and toffee apples!

Sussex Bonfire Night

Lewes Bonfire Night celebrations by Miles Sabin

The town of Lewes hosts the most famous, decadent and loud of the celebrations. For 364 days of the year, Lewes, is the sort of town to take afternoon tea in. But on 5 November, the town takes on a very different personality. Steeped in traditions going back 500 years, Lewes takes fireworks night very seriously. There are six different torchlit processions before the lighting of the bonfire. Plus tar barrel rolling, marching bands, drummers, traditional fancy dress and floats with topical bonfire effigies.

Robertsbridge Bonfire Night celebrations by Paul Pitman

There are plenty of smaller bonfire night celebrations around the county which are equally as enjoyable as all the villages go to great lengths to enjoy this autumn spectacle. Festivities usually kick off in the towns of Eastbourne and Rotherfield. Look out too for the big bonfires at Battle, Hastings, Hailsham, East Hoathly and Robertsbridge.

History of the Sussex celebrations

Lewes Bonfire Night celebrations by Ed Webster

The celebrations mark both Guy Fawkes Night and the burning of 17 Protestant martyrs in Lewes’ High Street from 1555 to 1557, during the reign of Mary Tudor.

Bonfire Night cottages

Brooks Lodge is perfectly located for the biggest bonfire celebration in the world at Lewes

If you want to come down and celebrate with the Sussex folk, then have a look at our sizzling Sussex cottages, perfect to make the most of this very special time of year.