Product Description

If you have a dread of dull trips to dreary places and a pathological fear of mundane excursions, I guarantee you'll find something here to amuse you. "An Eccentric Tour of Sussex" is a guidebook with a difference. It will take you on a sideways journey across the county to weird, wacky and wonderful destinations. This tour showcases 20 classically bizarre Sussex venues, (plus a few strange minor ones) and reveals quirky churches, bizarre tombs, extraordinary buildings, strange festivals, and whimsical follies. It is aimed at the connoisseur of the peculiar, the cultural tourist who appreciates the silly and unusual destination, has an open-mind and is prepared take an unconventional look at their surroundings. Those of us who live in Sussex are lucky; we have stunning coastlines, bohemian towns, oddball characters (historical and contemporary), fabulous art and a rich cultural history. From the seedy pleasure, from Brighton to the lesser-known delight of Thorney Island, this tour will help you cherish and appreciate what is on your doorstep.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #151999 in Books
• Published on: 2007-04-11
• Original language: English
• Binding: Hardcover
• 96 pages

Customer Reviews

Pleasantly Mad
This is a rare delight. A pocket-sized, hardback guide, reminiscent of 1930's pocket travel guides with overtones of the early penguin book cover designs. The author, Peter Bridgewater is obviously very fond of and familiar with Sussex and writes the perfect amount to set the reader off on a quiky tour of his beloved English County. I had not known about the film-making community of Shoreham-by-sea until I was taken there in the text, and have since visited the seaside village. The illustrator, Curtis Tappenden, working very much in the English line drawing tradition, perfectly complements the text with jaunty sketches of the places, not disimiliar in feel and character to those of the late, great Edward Ardizzone. This is for book lovers and collectors, of the highest production quality and the attention to detail on this inky treasure is so seldom seen in modern-day publishing. A treat!

A pack of inspirations
This is less a guide book than a pack of inspirations. It does not try to tell you what to see, but uncovers particular points that make a place interesting. I had no idea that there was anything special about Horsham or Nutley, and while I will not make a special trip to check out the stories he tells, it gives a sense of significance to the places on the map. I may stop-off if I am passing by, but it the book is enjoyable in itself, without any need to be in Sussex. The easy writing style and layout make the book fun to dip into, and each four-page chapter is a treat in itself. Each starts with a sketch and then tells us 'Where is it', 'What is it', some particular details, and finally 'other eccentricities.' Buying this book does not commit you to a big read, it is less like eating a meal and more like enjoying a box of chocolates. Enjoy!