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BISC MINIBUSES

Your FREE

Transport Service

Fall Term 2018

EXPLORE!

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Take advantage of the FREE minibus service 7 days a week during term time.

Our friendly and knowledgeable drivers Darren, Lynne, Libby and Katie will take you

to local towns and villages, beaches, walks, tours, places of interest, volunteering

opportunities and sports facilities. The minibus also links you to public transport

buses and trains.

HOW IT WORKS

Monday through Thursday

Minibuses mostly run to local towns for trains and public buses, shopping and banking,

cinemas, sports facilities and volunteering opportunities.

Friday through Sunday

Get out and explore the local area. Each week there are minibus trips to various

places, as well as railway station drops and pick-ups.

WHAT YOU DO

• Check out the weekly schedules and destination leaflets displayed at:

Bader Hall Reception (plus destination leaflets)

Castle Reception

Online at: https://www.queensu.ca/bisc/current-students/getting-around/minibus/minibus-schedule

(Plus, destination leaflets, maps of local towns, train and bus timetables)

• The destination leaflets give you an idea of what there is to do, frequency of

trips and how long it will take you to get there.

• Choose the trips you want to take and sign up at Bader Hall Reception.

Please also sign up for any special trips put on at your request.

• Get on the bus at Castle Reception.

• If you change your mind, take your name off the list so someone else can ride

the bus in your place.

• If you’d like to go somewhere specific on a particular day (journey distance no

more than one hour away, please – check Google Maps), e-mail

minibus@bisc.queensu.ac.uk by 5pm on the Tuesday of the week before, e.g. by

5pm on Tuesday of week 2 for a trip during week 3.

• Just one last very important detail: NO alcohol may be carried or consumed

on any vehicle owned or hired by the BISC.

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LINKS TO PUBLIC TRANSPORT

Use the minibus as a ‘jumping off’ point for more travel options

Railways

Railways are usually the fastest, though not the cheapest,

form of public transport.

For Eastbourne, Lewes or Brighton, use Polegate station.

For London Victoria and further afield use: Polegate, Eastbourne, Lewes, Battle or Brighton.

For Gatwick Airport use Polegate, Eastbourne, Lewes or Brighton.

For Hastings, Rye or Ashford International use Polegate or Eastbourne.

For Tunbridge Wells (great shopping here!), Hastings, London Bridge, London Waterloo East, London

Charing Cross and further afield use Battle.

Southern Railway general information: http://www.southernrailway.com/

Southern Railway timetable: http://www.southernrailway.com/your-journey/plan-your-journey/timetables/

South Eastern Railway general information: http://www.southeasternrailway.co.uk/

South Eastern Railway timetable: http://www.southeasternrailway.co.uk/your-journey/timetables/

Buses

Buses are a cheaper way to travel than train, but slower.

However, you can get to places the train doesn’t reach.

You might also get a better look at some towns and

villages as you pass through.

For comprehensive bus timetabling, maps, street views and lists of stops see

https://bustimes.org.uk/regions/SE for our area ‘East Sussex’. Lots of information here, but quite easy

to use:

Example 1: to go to Hailsham, select ‘Wealden’ then click ‘Herstmonceux’ for buses passing through

the village. The 98 goes to Hailsham (and Polegate station). Click ‘98’ to find the detailed timetable.

Example 2: to get from Sovereign Harbour Asda to Eastbourne centre, select ‘Eastbourne’ then click

‘Sovereign Harbour North’. The 51 goes to Eastbourne (and Hailsham). Click ‘51’ for the detailed

timetable.

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REGULAR MINIBUS DESTINATIONS

Herstmonceux village 5 minutes’ ride away, the nearest place for: public buses (see p3), post office,

cash machine, pharmacy, doctor’s surgery, small grocery shop, other small shops,

bakery, fish and chip shop, pubs and restaurants.

Hailsham Market Town

20 minutes’ ride away: an ancient market town and the largest of the

five towns in the Wealden district of East Sussex. It is mentioned in

the Domesday Book, where it is called Hamelesham.

Visit Hailsham for: Asda (Walmart) and other supermarkets, Boots drug

store, some nice clothing shops, tearooms, restaurants and/or pay a visit

to the Pavilion cinema/theatre.

Polegate Railway Station 20 minutes’ ride away: nearest railway station for trips

to Eastbourne, Hastings, Brighton, Gatwick Airport,

London and further afield (see p3). You can also catch

public buses here (see p3).

Sovereign Harbour

25 minutes’ ride away for: large Asda

supermarket, large Boots drug store, some

clothing shops, restaurants, cafes and a large

cinema showing the latest movies.

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Battle town

30 minutes’ ride away: this is where the Battle of

Hastings took place in 1066. Visit the 1000-year-

old Battle Abbey where Canadian servicemen were

stationed during the 1939-45 war. The railway

here will take you to Tunbridge Wells, London

Bridge and Charing Cross

(see p3).

Battle Sports Centre

30 minutes’ ride away: Battle Sports Centre aims to offer a variety

of sporting activities and classes, whether you wish to follow a

sporting interest, keep fit, or simply have fun trying something

new. Membership is £24 per annum. There is a broad range of

facilities that include a fitness gym, fitness classes such as Zumba

dance, sports hall, climbing wall, 3G artificial pitch, dance studio,

grass pitches, netball courts, orienteering course, tennis courts and

a roller disco held every Friday evening. For more information

visit: http://www.battlesportscentre.com/

Ravenside Retail & Leisure Park

30 minutes’ ride away: An ideal shopping destination with 14 units

including a large supermarket, large Boots drug store, clothes

store, fast food outlets and a swimming pool.

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Alfriston village

30 minutes’ ride away: a truly picturesque Sussex village, steeped

in history, with narrow streets, a church known as ‘the Cathedral

of the Downs’, tea shops for real English cream teas, individual

shops, the Clergy House National Trust property, river walks and

access to the South Downs.

Eastbourne town 40 minutes’ ride away, the nearest large town for: tourist

information, railway and bus stations (see p3), banks, post office, all

kinds of large and small shops, coffee shops, restaurants, pubs,

cinema, night clubs, theatres, art gallery, museums, churches,

swimming pool at the eastern end of town, the beach

and lots more… The railway will take you to Polegate,

Lewes, Brighton, Gatwick Airport, London Victoria, or

Bexhill, Hastings, Rye and Ashford International.

Lewes town 40 minutes’ ride away: another ancient town; this one has

a castle to visit. Henry VIII gave his fourth wife, Anne

of Cleves, a house here, Thomas Paine (Rights of Man)

lived at Bull House and the Bloomsbury Group writer

Virginia Woolf lived in Pipe Passage near the castle.

There are restaurants, banks, a post office, small shops

and a few large shops. There’s also a regular Saturday

street market with lots of delicious local food to try!

Public buses and railway here.

Hastings Old Town 50 minutes’ ride away: an historic fishing town; see

the old sheds on the beach once used to dry fishing

nets and the fishing boats still in use. Enjoy the

quintessential British meal of fish and chips fresh

from the sea and explore the narrow, cobbled streets

and quirky individual shops. If you have a

taste for the macabre, try the True

Crime Museum! Or if not, the pier is

newly re-opened. Public buses and

railway here.

The Star Inn

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Rye town

50 minutes’ ride away: this historic port has a very colourful history.

Explore the fascinating narrow cobbled streets and buildings, such as

the haunted Mermaid Inn (re-built in 1420!), used to billet Canadian

officers during the 1939-45 war. Lots of interesting shops and tea

rooms. You can also catch the train from Polegate to Rye.

Tunbridge Wells

1hour’s ride away: there are two sides to Tunbridge Wells;

the elegant Pantiles with its charming Georgian

colonnades, tearooms and unique shops or a short stroll up

the hill to the Royal Victoria Shopping Centre; a great

indoor place for shopping and down the

escalator you’ll find the food hall.

Brighton city 1hr & 20 minutes’ ride away (or around 30 minutes by train from Polegate): known as ‘London by the

Sea’, Brighton is a large, vibrant city where there is always plenty happening. Visit the amazing

Chinese- and Indian-influenced Royal Pavilion, and Brighton Museum and Art Gallery.

Explore the North Laine area which is buzzing on a

Saturday, sometimes with street performers; always

with pubs, restaurants, funky clothing shops, great

second-hand book shops and see if you can find

Oliver’s which sells Harry Potter paraphernalia!

The main area of Brighton also boasts nightclubs, restaurants, cafes, cinema, theatres, many large

and independent shops and of course the beach and pier; plus, a railway line to Gatwick Airport,

London and further afield (see p3). Well worth a visit as so much to see and do…

Brighton Royal Pavilion The Royal Pavilion

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OTHER SUGGESTED DESTINATIONS

Bodiam Castle: semi-ruined castle which bears a

strong resemblance to our own from the outside.

De La Warr Pavilion, Bexhill: cinema, music, comedy, art,

sculpture, all housed in an architecturally important 1930s building.

Michelham Priory: 800-year-old moated former priory.

Birling Gap & East Dean:

For the beach or a hike.

WARNING: If you plan to hike over the cliffs from Cuckmere Haven, Seaford Head or Birling Gap

DO NOT GO NEAR THE EDGE OF THE CLIFF. The cliff faces are VERY UNSTABLE and

there may be unexpected rock falls. If you see a crack in the ground, you are too close to the edge

MOVE AWAY IMMEDIATELY CLIFF FALLS CAN HAPPEN AT ANY TIME AND WITHOUT

WARNING. For the same reason DO NOT ATTEMPT TO CLIMB THE CLIFFS FROM THE BEACH.

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Cuckmere Haven: A refreshing walk in

wonderful scenery.

Seaford Head: Lovely walks and breath-taking scenery.

Winnie-the-Pooh Tour

Hartfield, Ashdown Forest: Visit Pooh Corner shop for Pooh

merchandise and dine upon

Smackerels, Tigger’s Treats,

Pooh’s Specials, Whatnots and

Etceteras in Piglet’s tea room. Then take a walk to play Pooh Sticks on the bridge and explore

A.A. Milne’s inspiration for his timeless tales.

The Long Man of Wilmington

The Long Man is one of two major surviving human

hill figures in England. When the weather is clear,

the views and atmosphere are breath-taking, and

you can always stop off at the Giant’s Rest or

Sussex Ox for some refreshments!

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Sheffield Park Railway

The Bluebell Railway was one of the first preserved heritage lines

in the country resulting in one of the finest collections of vintage

steam locomotives and carriages many of which were preserved

straight out of service from British Railways. Experience a Harry

Potter style journey on an old steam train across beautiful English

countryside. Booking in advance is advised.

For more information, visit: https://www.bluebell-railway.com/

The ‘National Trust’ The National Trust is a charity founded in 1895 with a view of preserving Britain’s heritage and open

spaces for everyone to enjoy. More than 120 years later, these values are still at the heart of

everything they do.

The National Trust look after special places throughout England, Wales and Northern Ireland, taking

care of coastline, forests, woods, fens, beaches, farmland, moorland, islands, archaeological remains,

nature reserves, villages, historic houses, gardens, mills and pubs and one of the world's largest art

collections.

The National Trust has so many delightful places to visit, for example, Sheffield Park, Scotney

Castle, Standen House, Bateman’s (home of Rudyard Kipling) are just a few places in Sussex which are

perfect for stunning autumnal woodland walks and entrance is free for Members. So why not take

advantage of the National Trust Young Person’s annual membership which is only £34.50 or £10.00 if

aged under 18. For more information please visit: https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/

Remember, this is your minibus so don’t be shy about contacting us, as we always

amenable to destination suggestions (within one hour’s drive) at:

minibus@bisc.queensu.ac.uk

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Use this page to write down places you would like to go*, then let minibus@bisc.queensu.ac.uk know.

* within one hour’s drive from the Castle

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WHERE CAN I FIND…?

Herstmonceux

Village

Hailsham

Town

Ravenside

Retail Park Polegate

Sovereign

Harbour Battle Eastbourne Alfriston Lewes Brighton

Cash machine √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √

Bank √ √ √ √ √ √

Post office √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √

Supermarket √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √

Hairdresser √ √ √ √ √ √ √

Pharmacy √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √

Doctor √ √ *

Railway station √ √ √ √ √

Public bus stops √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √

Public bus station √ √

Swimming pool √ √ √ √

Cinema √ √ √ √ √

Tea/coffee shop √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √

Restaurants √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √

Pub/bar √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √

Nightclub √ √

Theatre √ √ √ √

Art gallery √ √ √ √ √

Beach √ √ √

Sports facilities √ √ √ √

*Walk in service only.