On a recent visit to Eastbourne, The Grain Store visited The Towner where the doors were soon to open on the Sussex Modernism exhibition. We were lucky enough to get a glimpse even as paintings were still being mounted on walls newly painted in the gem-like shades. There were names that will forever be connected with the county - Vanessa Bell of the celebrated Bloomsbury Group among them. There were contemporary artists too - neo-naturist Jennifer Binnie showed a film and Alexi Marshall’s life-sized goddess is awe-inspiring to meet.

But the exhibition is also testament to how Sussex was - and is - a place to escape to for creative souls. It’s close to London and to France; but is also uniquely itself. It has the exposed bones of the South Downs to wander - as artist Eric Ravilious famously did for days, sometimes weeks - but also the crashing waves; ancient woodlands and fields as far as the eye can see. Then there are the towns, villages and hamlets. Our own nearest town, Lewes, has a wealth of galleries, meet-ups and creative clubs.

Whether you are staying just a couple of days or longer, there is plenty of opportunity to get involved yourself. Perhaps there’s a craft you’ve always wanted to try out. This is our selection of just some of the creative days out you could enjoy while staying with us.

Number Six: The Japanese Art of Kintsugi with Curious House

Philippa King founded Curious House to allow people to explore their creativity but also have some time to just be. Sign up for either a full-day or half-day course. You can choose to make Bloomsbury-style lampshades; weave a Catalan platter or paint en plein air.

We are excited about delving into the art of Kintsugi, mending porcelain with golden glue to make something beautiful out of something broken. The courses run at The Bell in Ticehurst, which is also a wonderful place to have dinner. You could also add nearby Scotney Castle or Bedgebury National Pinetum and Forest into your itinerary.

Number Five: Decorative painting with Tess Newall

Artist Tessa Newell creates wonderful things. Her wallpapers, murals and decorated furniture are beautiful to behold; and she has collaborated with, among others, historical botanical association, The Linnean Society, and furniture maker Alfred Newall.

The workshops are held in Lewes and guests can choose between lampshades, lampstands and mirror frames to decorate. Tess will be on hand to help guests sketch out their design and practice their motifs. And, as if you need any more enticement, sustenance - including a hearty lunch - is provided by one of The Grain Store’s favourite culinary teams, Field Food.

Number Four: Memory maps, words and watercolour at West Dean West College

West Dean College has been a creative hub since the early 1970s. Though an ancient estate, it was transformed into the innovative place that it is now by poet Edward James - who partnered with some of the world’s most renowned Surrealists, including Salvador Dalí and René Magritte; as well as the poet, John Betjeman.

The house now hosts everything from courses on how to “grow your own clothes” from flax and nettles to how to carve greenwood. We have got our eyes on the calligraphic sketchbook course in which you get to make a beautiful annotated map using pen and watercolours. It could be anything from a mindmap to a favourite walk - perhaps even the places from your stay in Sussex that have left a beautiful imprint.

Number Three: Private throwing workshop at Twig Ceramics

Rosie Tweedale of Twig Ceramics brings together two of our favourite things - pottery and nature. From her studio in Lindfield, she runs both clay throwing and hand-building workshops. Her space is surrounded by woodlands and this is from where she takes her inspiration.

Book a private throwing workshop with Rosie; but make sure you leave time to have a wander around the village. Lindfield Coffee Works is a superb place to grab a brew and a snack; but the village also has some superb restaurants, including new addition, Orla, and local favourite, the Indian restaurant, Tamasha.

*Image credit:* *sevensistersspices.com*

Number Two: Seven Sisters Spices

Chloe at the Seven Sisters’ Spices Larder has been running her workshops for more than a decade from her kitchen on Farley Farm in Chiddingly. Her one-day workshop, Flavour Bomb your Future, promises “...a fridge, freezer & larder full of magical ingredients that can be used in a multitude of different ways to create a variety of simple to finish dishes”.

Described as suitable for “novice and proficient cooks alike,” the workshop shows attendees how to make the basis for an array of dishes, all inspired by the Levantine region in Western Asia.

The workshop is a chance to get hands-on experience and attendees will go away with a book full of recipes and freshly made flavour bombs to spice up your home cooking.

Number One: Create your own fragrance with Nancy Meiland

A visit to Nancy Meiland’s shop in Brighton is like visiting an olfactory heaven. The perfumer is holding a fragrance workshop at Charleston - the home of the Bloomsbury Group - next month so this is a chance to meet and work with her.

The day will start with a private tour of the house’s walled garden, led by one of the gardeners, before Nancy leads attendees on a journey “sensing through scent”. The Grain Store team adores Nancy’s work and she featured in our rundown of our favourite Sussex skincare products.

All participants will leave with their own bottle of personal fragrance. They will also get a chance to wander through the house, perhaps imagining the scents of paints, flowers - and possibly gin - that would have wafted from room to room when Vanessa Bell, her friends and family lived their tangled lives here.

We hope that you’ll find something to tempt you from this list of creative possibilities. Make sure, though, that you also make time to dip into our beautiful library at The Grain Store; and take in the artworks that we have chosen for the space. The photographs by Finn Hopson, Sarah Weal and Carlotta Luke might even inspire you to head out with your camera.

Six creative days out in Sussex