Bonfire night in Sussex: places near you to celebrate

Lewes Bonfire was called off due to government Covid restrictions last year.

It was a bitter disappointment to the town's bonfire societies, whose members spend months building effigies to parade through the town.

It will return on Friday, November 5, though Lewes Bonfire Council urges people from outside the town to think carefully about attending.

There is no car parking and no trains will be calling at Lewes, Glynde or Southease after 5pm on that day. Many roads in the area will be closed.

Mick Symes, vice-chairman of Lewes Borough Bonfire Society, said: “We are thoroughly looking forward to getting on to the streets of the town again and bringing some sort of normality to our usual celebrations.

• READ MORE: All the travel information you need to know ahead of Lewes bonfire night

“We’re feeling a bit reserved and apprehensive because Covid is still an issue, it’s still with us. We want to enjoy ourselves, we don’t want to be worrying about the health of others. But at least we’re outside.

“My personal view is that, this year for once, although we welcome visitors and spectators, if the numbers were slightly lower than normal, we would not be disappointed.

Lewes Bonfire Night.

“We probably just want our night off, have our fun and we don’t want it to be health risk to anybody.

“I would say anyone who is apprehensive or has worries, stay away.

“Please consider before coming whether it would be better another year.”

Instead people are encouraged to go to fireworks events closer to home - and there are plenty happening all over Sussex.

Here are some of the best:

Firle bonfire, Saturday, October 30.

The event starts in The Street, West Firle, from around 7pm with a procession. This is followed by fireworks at 8.30/9pm. Adult tickets cost £8.50, while children under 13 go free. It is best to buy tickets in advance.

Battle, Saturday, November 6.

Roads close from 6pm as “the world’s oldest bonfire society” holds its celebrations on Battle Abbey Green. The main event takes place at 7.45pm with a large procession.

However, there are various events over the day, starting from 6am with a firework to signal the start of bonfire day. The event is free but donations are encouraged.

There are plenty of events all around Sussex.

Autumn Lights, Ardingly, Saturday, November 13.

The Autumn Lights show takes place at the South of England showground. The family-friendly event will have fireworks, a hot air balloon illumination display, a funfair and street food stalls.

The event takes place from 2pm until 9pm. The hot air balloon event is weather dependent. It will cost £16 for adults (16 and over), £10 for children aged five to 15 and under fives go free.

Staplecross bonfire, Robertsbridge, Saturday, October 30.

The procession will start from 7.30pm with the event expected to last around three hours. Roads will be closed between 7pm and 10pm. Entry to the bonfire field is £2 for adults, £1 for children.

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Littlehampton, Saturday, October 30.

There will be events from 10am starting with an artisan market and there will be a fair on the seafront at 2pm. The evening will have a procession along Littlehampton High Street, a firework display and bonfire.

Some events are starting from tomorrow.

Rye, Saturday, November 13.

The event will take place from around 7.30pm, with roads closed in the town centre between 7.30pm and 9.30pm.

Goodwood, Chichester, Friday and Saturday, November 5 and 6.

The event is starting from 6.30pm with a bonfire from 7pm and fireworks from 7.30pm. A dinner tickets cost £66 for adults, £25 for children, while field tickets cost £26 for adults and £12 for children aged four to 15.

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