Things you didn't know about... East Sussex

East Sussex once felt like the Alps

The worst ever avalanche in England occurred in East Sussex on 27 December 1836. Snow on a cliff surrounding the town of Lewes slipped, killing eight people. In East Sussex you can now find a number of pubs called The Snowdrop, named in memory of the avalanche.

The first building to be acquired by the National Trust is in East Sussex

Alfriston Clergy House, in the village of Alfriston, was acquired by the National Trust in 1896 for £10.

East Sussex has the highest chalk cliff in Britain

Beachy Head, near Eastbourne, is the highest chalk cliff in Britain, reaching 162 m (532 ft) above sea level. Though loved as a beauty spot, it has also been infamous as a suicide spot for over 400 years, with around 20 people committing suicide there each year. A telephone box was built there in 1976, with a direct line to The Samaritans.

Study in beautiful surroundings in East Sussex—and get your degree from Santa Claus!

The University of Sussex is the only university in England that is entirely located in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. Lord Attenborough, who played Santa Claus in Miracle on 34th Street, is the Chancellor of the university.

5 November is a big deal here

The town of Lewes holds one of the largest Guy Fawkes celebrations in the UK each November. The event also remembers 17 Protestant martyrs who were burnt at the stake in the town in the 16th century. Some 17 burning crosses are carried through the town, and a number of separate bonfires are lit. The event attracts up to 80,000 visitors from across East Sussex and the rest of the UK.

Your first history lesson was probably about East Sussex

The best-known date in British history centres on East Sussex. In 1066 the Battle of Hastings took place here, and with the defeat of the last Saxon King of England by William the Conqueror, Britain passed into the hands of the Normans.

The biggest man in Europe lives in East Sussex

The Long Man of Wilmington is the largest representation of the human form in Europe. However, the exact origins of the figure carved into the hills of the South Downs—and measuring 69 m (226 ft) in height—are unclear. Some believe it is a fertility symbol, others think it is an ancient warrior.

Older people love East Sussex

East Sussex has the highest proportion of residents aged over 75 of any county in England. Life expectancy is also over a year higher than the national average.