Go out and explore
Our free minibus service takes you to local towns and villages, places of interest, volunteering opportunities, and sports facilities. The minibus also links you to public transport buses and trains.
Monday through Thursday, minibuses mostly run to local towns for trains and public buses, shopping and banking, cinemas, Sussex University library, sports facilities and volunteering opportunities. Friday through Sunday, minibuses help you explore the local area.
Each week there are minibus trips to different towns and attractions, as well as railway station drops and pick-ups. The minibus schedule for each week is generally published by Admin on the Friday prior. Sign-up for spots on the minibus is at Bader Hall Reception and is open to all members of the Bader College community.
The minibus schedules are subject to change, but every effort is made to accommodate faculty, staff, and students. Each trip is planned to allow a reasonable amount of time at each destination, so unfortunately unplanned diversions are not possible.
Regular Minibus Destinations within 30 minutes of Bader College:
Herstmonceux Village
- 10 minutes’ ride away
- Our closest neighbouring village and the nearest place for: public bus routes, post office, cash machine, pharmacy, the integrated health clinic, a small grocery shop, other small shops, fish and chip shop, pubs and restaurants.
- The bakery sells delicious cakes and pastries and is well worth the visit alone.
- Follow you feet and meet the locals!
Hailsham 
- 25 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 here for: Asda (Walmart) and other supermarkets, Boots drug store, tearooms, restaurants and/or pay a visit to the Pavilion cinema. Hailsham also has a Leisure Centre where you can go swimming.
Polegate Train Station
- 25 minutes’ ride away
- Travel here for the nearest train station for trips to Eastbourne, Hastings, Brighton, Gatwick Airport, London and further afield.
- There is a taxi-rank at the train station, and a handy Co-op mini-supermarket.
Sovereign Harbour
- 25 minutes’ ride away
- Travel here for large Asda supermarket (similar to a Walmart) where you can pick up everything from electrical goods to bananas.
- There is a large Boots drug store, a sporting goods store and various clothing shops, restaurants, and cafés.
- Sit by the water's edge with a coffee and watch the boats come in and out of the harbour.
- If you fancy stretching your legs, you can walk along the harbour wall to pick up the promenade to Eastbourne seafront. (around 2 miles on a flat path - perfect for rollerblading.)
Battle
- 30 minutes’ ride away
- This is where the famous Battle of Hastings took place in 1066 between the armies of William the Conqueror and King Harold, the last Anglo-Saxon king of England.
- Visit the 1000-year-old Battle Abbey where Canadian servicemen were stationed during WWII.
- Battle Sports Centre offers 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.
- The trains at Battle will take you to Tunbridge Wells, London Bridge and Charing Cross.
Common trips further afield:
Eastbourne
- 40 minutes’ ride away
- The nearest large town for: tourist information, train and bus stations, banks, post office, all kinds of large and small shops, coffee shops, restaurants, pubs, cinema, night clubs, theaters, art gallery, museums, churches, swimming pool at the eastern end of town.
- Eastbourne is one of the sunniest places in the UK and famous for it's pebble beach. Grab an ice-cream cone and a deck chair and watch the world go by.
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 beautiful!
Rye
- 50 minutes’ ride away
- This historic cinque-port has a very colourful history.
- Explore the fascinating narrow cobbled streets and buildings, such as the haunted Mermaid Inn (rebuilt in 1420!), used to billet Canadian officers during WWII
- Rye has lots of interesting little curiosity shops and tea rooms.
Lewes
- 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 independent shops and a few large shops.
- There’s also a regular Saturday street market with lots of delicious local food to try!
- Lewes boasts Harvey's Brewery, he oldest independent brewery in Sussex, which has been making beer since 1790.
- You can also catch the train from Polegate to Rye.
Brighton
- 50 minutes’ ride away (or around 35 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; this is where you’ll find the i360 plus viewing tower.
- You can take trains onward to Gatwick Airport, London and further afield.