East Sussex Serenity - Why Commuters Have Enjoyed Swapping City Chaos For Countryside Calm.

Throughout the pandemic, the message was to work from home wherever possible. Working spaces have been created at home ranging from the dining room table, a desk in a bedroom to a dedicated office room and even constructing a permanent structure in the garden.

Indeed, remote working has opened up numerous possibilities and also locations away from the home and many people have found that East Sussex offers a most conducive lifestyle for working away from the office that has been good for physical health and mental wellbeing.

Less stress and a better work-life balance

Remote working has allowed a better work-life balance and eradicated the stress of commuting to the office. Employers have witnessed many benefits including increased motivation, productivity and performance from employees and naturally there have been copious positive effects on the environment.

Working away from the office has also offered more autonomy, freedom and flexibility in terms of time and place of work. It facilitates people working from anywhere, as all that is needed is a good Internet connection. Those who would normally commute to work have discovered that a comfortable and stimulating location can be chosen which can be their own home or other place within the county.

Beautiful East Sussex landscapes and countryside to inspire and delight

East Sussex has to be one of the best places for remote working as it has so much to offer including beautiful countryside, villages, and towns as well as coastal areas and seaside resorts. All are intriguing to explore and provide inspiration as well as having positive benefits for mental and physical wellbeing. East Sussex is home to some of the most beautiful and awesome landscapes, not only in the south east of England, but also in the whole of the British Isles.

History dating back to Medieval Times

The county of East Sussex is steeped in history and includes the picturesque market town of Battle, famous as the site of the Battle of Hastings in 1066. Lewes, the county town has medieval roots, and is surrounded by magnificent chalk cliffs and is dominated by the remains of the Norman Castle and its towering fortress, which is well worth a visit.

The undulating and cobbled streets add to the town’s charm and there are beautiful gardens to explore. Coastal attractions offering extraordinary beauty include Birling Gap and the Seven Sisters, Beachy Head, Cuckmere Haven, Camber Sands and the seaside resorts of Eastbourne, Seaford and Bexhill. The countryside includes the 250 square miles of the rolling chalk hills of the South Downs, as well as the High Weald with its rolling meadows and timber-framed cottages.

Independent cafes, restaurants, tea and coffee shops

Many of the unique towns and villages offer fantastic independent cafes, restaurants and traditional teashops. Remote working has enabled people to kick-start their mornings with a great coffee and delicious pastry or a traditional English breakfast.

Some specialist coffee houses roast their coffee beans creating aromas to savour and stimulate. Quaint teashops offer a fantastic selection including fruit and herbal, green, black and oolong teas with their many health benefits as well as naughty indulgence with a variety of scrummy cakes, tarts and macaroons. Tasty lunch and brunch menus are on offer with savoury snacks, toasties, sandwiches as well as excellent vegetarian, vegan selections and also many cater for those with allergies. Locally sourced produce is often used to create fresh high-quality food.

Brighton – a city by the sea for the best of both worlds

If it’s city life that excites and inspires, the cosmopolitan and dynamic city of Brighton is only a short drive or train journey away from the beautiful countryside, bustling towns and tranquil, old-world villages of East Sussex. Brighton is hip and quirky with its Grade II listed Palace Pier, the Royal Pavilion, Marina and arty Lanes district offering independent shops, restaurants and traditional pubs. It’s a thriving hub to make business connections by day and provides a pulsating and buzzing atmosphere after hours.

A good Internet connection is essential

Remote working has been helped by an expanding Internet infrastructure including projects such as eSussex, which was launched to improve Internet connectivity for homes and businesses. Other advances include Lightning Fibre, a brand new broadband network for East Sussex, which is undertaking major infrastructure upgrades in Eastbourne, Hastings, Hailsham and Heathfield.

Saying goodbye to the conventional and corporate office

Coworking spaces are leading the way for a new way of working and can be a great alternative to working from home. A sense of routine, stability and belonging can be retained in these unique working environments. It means that everyone can enjoy the best of both worlds, with many city-based businesses exploring options to set up mini offices within these spaces. An office can be hired rather than just a desk providing commuting employees the office experience whilst cutting out travelling in places where they can enjoy the scenery close to home.

The benefits are hard to ignore with employee wellbeing and a better work-life balance leading the way as well as offering flexibility and opportunities for collaboration and networking.

These spaces also provide a social setting to combat loneliness and reduce anxiety as a break from your desk can mean a quick chat with a fellow co-worker or colleague. They really do provide a super environment to foster and spark creativity, and entrepreneurship and can inspire and motivate with their designs to include meditation rooms, outdoor space, social kitchen and comfortable seating and relaxation areas. There are many available and opening up throughout the county of East Sussex.

Will city chaos be permanently swapped for the calm and beauty of East Sussex?

East Sussex certainly is a mixture of the intriguing and unusual and has provided an exciting and stimulating backdrop for many who have been forced into remote working. Stunning countryside with undulating hills is mixed with historic towns, villages and thriving seaside resorts with their abundance of places to eat, delis, markets, niche and antique shops, as well as the dynamic city of Brighton. The county has been an inspiration for artists for centuries and it has certainly been a big hit with those who have been working from home over the last eighteen months.