Author: Lyn Funnell

Author

  • Lyn Funnell

    Lyn is the co-owner of Unknown Kent and Sussex. She lives in Sussex.

    Lyn has been writing for most of her life, both Fiction & Non-Fiction. She loves cookery & creating original recipes. She's won a lot of prizes, including Good Housekeeping Millenium Menu & on BBC The One Show as a runner-up, making her Britain's Spag Bol Queen!

    She has had nine books published so far.

    History, Travel & Restaurant Reviews are her main interests.

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Charity, Kent

Ross Bowie takes on The 13 Bridges Challenge, in aid of SSAFA and This Is Us CIC – “If I can, anyone can”

By Lyn Funnell Tunbridge Wells, Kent, June 2025… “Hi. I am Ross. I am 33 years old, I have cerebral palsy and have spent most of my life in a wheelchair.... Read more.
Food and Drink, Sussex

Savoury Cheesy Bread Pudding

By Lyn Funnell All ingredients are approximate. It doesn’t matter if you vary them a bit. 1 ½ lbs/650kgms bread 3 eggs 20zs/50k Ashdown Foresters Cheese from... Read more.
Further Afield, History, Uncategorized

Majorca’s Cuevas del Drach; Dragon’s Caves.

By Lyn Funnell While staying in Majorca at the Hotel Bonsol, we decided to visit the Cuevas del Drach. We’d been there several years ago and thought they were... Read more.
Food and Drink, Kent, Sussex

The High Weald Dairy Cookbook;  Classic Kent and Sussex Recipes Updated

By Lyn Funnell Lyn’s latest book has just been released on amazon. Food & Travel writer Lyn Funnell brings you a delicious celebration of British cheese and... Read more.
Coastal, Eastbourne, Food and Drink, Sussex

Back to the Bay Side, Pevensey Bay

By Lyn Funnell I have eaten in the Bay Side Diner several times when I’ve been in the area, and its high quality and low prices always amaze me. Last…... Read more.
Animals & Wildlife, Art, Coastal, Food and Drink, Forestry and Nature, Further Afield, Historic Buildings

Bonsol. My Favourite Hotel

By Lyn Funnell The view from our balcony I stayed in the Bonsol Hotel in Majorca several years ago and I absolutely loved it. I always intended to return. Earlier…... Read more.
Food and Drink, Sussex, Uncategorized

Showercaps have Many Uses! Here are 30 of Them.

By Lyn Funnell Free showercaps are often found in hotel bathrooms. I  always put them in my bag and take them home as they come in very useful. Here are…... Read more.
Coastal, Food and Drink, Further Afield

Portsmouth’s Spinnaker Tower

By Lyn Funnell On a day trip to Portsmouth, the first thing that we noticed was the Spinnaker Tower. It dominates the skyline wherever you walk and it can be…... Read more.
Food and Drink, Sussex

High Weald Halloumi Hotpot

By Lyn Funnell 4oz/150g Halloumi, cut into small cubes. Dry fry in a pan , turning it, until each side is golden. Take it out of the pan, into a…... Read more.
Entertainment, Sussex, Uncategorized

Free Book of the Week Offer!

  Lyn’s book, Fat Hope! is an amazon Book of the Week. It’s FREE to download for one week, starting today. Do read it & enjoy it. and would... Read more.
Animals & Wildlife, Forestry and Nature, Historic Buildings, History, Sussex, Uncategorized, Villages

Laughton, Sussex; Known as The Village of the Buckle.

By Lyn Funnell Laughton used to be known as The Smelliest Village in Sussex! A bit harsh, isn’t it? But it didn’t get any mains drainage until the 1950s.... Read more.
Coastal, Food and Drink, Further Afield, Historic Buildings

Britannia Fish & Chips in Portsmouth

By Lyn Funnell   On a day trip to Portsmouth, we hoped to find a genuine Fish & Chip Restaurant on the seafront. We all went in the Britannia, after…... Read more.
Food and Drink, Sussex

Squash & Halloumi Risotto

By Lyn Funnell All ingredients are approximate. Keep tasting while you’re cooking. This is a very simple dish, but delicious! I won a Nationwide competition with... Read more.
Food and Drink, Further Afield, History

Old Naval Expressions that we still use

By Lyn Funnell On our recent visit to The National Museum of the Royal Navy in Hartlepool we were shown around the Frigate HMS Trincomalee by the excellent guide... Read more.
Entertainment, Sussex

Fat Hope! Lyn’s Latest Book is Published.

By Lyn Funnell My latest book is now published by my new Publisher Keith Abbott Executive Director Michael Terence Publishing admin@mtp.agency | www.mtp.agency |... Read more.
Entertainment, Food and Drink, Sussex

Natural Wines that don’t Cost the Earth.

By Lyn Funnell Returning to England after five years in Malta was a cultural shock. Everything was so affordable there and all the alcohol was duty-free. So my parents... Read more.
Celebrity, Further Afield, Historic Buildings, History, Villages

Trimdon, Durham. A Small Northern Town with a Big History

By Lyn Funnell Trimdon, in County Durham, is divided into four; Trimdon Village, Trimdon Colliery, Trimdon Station and Trimdon Grange. It is said that King Canute... Read more.
Animals & Wildlife, Coastal, Entertainment, Sussex

We Meet at Last!

By Lyn Funnell I’ve known Seren for 13 years. She’s written for me every week. But we’d never met, although we’d almost managed it a few times. So when I…... Read more.
Animals & Wildlife, Coastal, Food and Drink, Further Afield, Historic Buildings, History

HMS Trincomalee

By Lyn Funnell The Frigate HMS Trincomalee is moored by the National Museum of the Royal Navy at Hartlepool. She (all ships are She) was built in India out of…... Read more.
Celebrity, Forestry and Nature, Historic Buildings, History, Kent

Hever Castle, Ann Boleyn’s Haunted Family Home

By Lyn Funnell Getting off the coach, we walked through the entrance arch to Hever, and after walking a few yards, we could see the magnificent Hever Castle, surrounded... Read more.
Food and Drink, Historic Buildings, History, Sussex

A Day in Rye, Sussex

By Lyn Funnell We went on a Day Coach Trip to Rye Market. But the coach pulled up in front of an empty market site as it was raining! No…... Read more.
Food and Drink, History, Kent, Sussex

Marino’s; Excellent Rye Chipshop.

By Lyn Funnell On a recent day trip to Rye in Sussex, there was only one place we wanted to eat; Marino’s. I’d eaten there a couple of times before…... Read more.
Food and Drink, Sussex

Rainbow Roast, using Fresh Vegetables

By Lyn Funnell The seven colours of the rainbow are red, orange, yellow, green, blue, indigo, violet. Do try this colourful dish of Rainbow Roast Vegetables. It’s... Read more.
Food and Drink, History, Sussex

Traditional Sussex Bacon Pudding

By Lyn Funnell I was a bit worried about this recipe as it had no liquid addition, or nothing juicy like tomatoes. But when it’s been steamed, the ingredients... Read more.
Food and Drink, Sussex

Ap-peeling Recipes to save Money!

I’m always looking for new ways to economise and save food waste, and I love it when I discover tasty, simple new recipes. The UK used to be very good…... Read more.
Forestry and Nature, History, Kent, Sussex

Lyn’s Favourite Article of the Year; Rendlesham Forest UFO, The UK’s Roswell, was first spotted over Kent and Sussex.

By Lyn Funnell The Rendlesham Forest UFO has become well-known worldwide. It’s called Britain’s Roswell Incident. But what is not so well-known is that... Read more.
Celebrity, Coastal, Entertainment, Sussex

Sleeping Beauty Christmas Pantomime

By Lyn Funnell We went to the Pantomime last night. Oh no you didn’t! Oh yes we did! It was the First Night of Sleeping Beauty. The Pantomime is being…... Read more.
Animals & Wildlife, Celebrity, Entertainment, Forestry and Nature, History, Sussex

In Search of The Snowman

By Lyn Funnell The National Trust, which was founded in 1895, owns over 500 houses, castles, gardens, parks and nature reserves. Most properties charge an entrance... Read more.
Food and Drink, History

Pumpkin & Apple Pie

By Lyn Funnell I’ve made Pumpkin Pie several times and the Americans love it but I’ve found it too bland and tasteless. But I decided to have one last... Read more.
Forestry and Nature, Sussex

Plants4Presents is ready for Christmas!

By Lyn Funnell The Newick Nursery Plants4Presents is full of beautiful colourful gifts for Christmas. Last time we visited the Nursery, I couldn’t resist buying... Read more.
Coastal, Eastbourne, Food and Drink, Sussex

Bay Side Diner Ticks all the Boxes!

By Lyn Funnell The first snow of Winter fell quite heavily in the morning and we thought we’d have to cancel our arrangements. But it had stopped by midday,... Read more.
Food and Drink, Sussex

A Delicious Autumn Chutney

By Lyn Funnell I love making chutney. I find it very therapeutic. You can make chutney out of just about any fruit and vegetables. And recipes are just guidelines.... Read more.
Entertainment, Food and Drink, History, Sussex

High Teas & Posh Sandwiches.

By Lyn Funnell The Earl of Sandwich was the person who made the sandwich popular. It was said that he ate them while he was playing cards at the gambling…... Read more.
Charity, Entertainment, History, Sussex

It’s Newick Bonfire Night Again!

By Lyn Funnell We arrived at our friend’s house before the road closed, and sat down for her annual Bonfire Night meal of sausages, jacket potatoes and beans.... Read more.
Food and Drink, Sussex

Halloween and Pumpkins

By Lyn Funnell Last year we went to the Newick Pumpkin Farm and we loved their colourful selection of pumpkins. A few days ago I phoned Richard Wood at the…... Read more.
Celebrity, Entertainment, Food and Drink

Dans Le Noir? Dining in the Dark

By Lyn Funnell When I was filming a program in Hastings for Channel 4, one of our group was blind. He didn’t have a stick and he never stumbled, not…... Read more.
Coastal, Forestry and Nature, Villages

A Wonderful Week in Wales

By Lyn Funnell Pembrokeshire in Wales is a straight run from East Sussex where we live. But it takes five and a half hours with an extra hour for stops.…... Read more.
Animals & Wildlife, Art, Coastal, Forestry and Nature, Kent, Sussex

The Gallivant, Camber, Sussex.  Best Boutique Hotel, 2024

By Lyn Funnell As soon as we step inside the front doors, our eyes are greeted by a feast of interesting sights. No bare magnolia hotel walls in the Gallivant!…... Read more.
Animals & Wildlife, Celebrity, Forestry and Nature, History, Sussex

Have you Ever Seen a Heffalump?

  I recently entered a competition and I was delighted to be told that I’d been shortlisted. Although I didn’t win, it made me sit down and think,... Read more.
Celebrity, Entertainment, History, Sussex

Flamenco in Hailsham, Sussex!

By Lyn Funnell In the Sussex town of Hailsham there is a delightful little Grade ll listed theatre, called the Hailsham Pavilion Cinema. It was built in 1921 as... Read more.
Food and Drink, Uncategorized

Refined Sugar-Free Jam Making – It’ll Make you Look Younger

By Seren Charrington Hollis Like it or lump it the Western diet is now very high in sugar and whilst I am not against a sweet treat, too much sugar…... Read more.
Food and Drink, Sussex

You can Make Hummus out of Almost Anything!

By Lyn Funnell We had some cooked food left over from our Sunday Dinner; some sugarsnap peas, marrow and turnip. All bought from local producers and kept in the... Read more.
Coastal, Food and Drink, History, Sussex

Newhaven’s Seaside Secrets

By Lyn Funnell Newhaven in Sussex has been a route to France for centuries. It’s an interesting town to visit, so we decided to spend the day there, exploring.... Read more.
Charity, Coastal, Sussex

Brighton-based digital marketing agency raises £5,341 for homeless charity, Off the Fence, at charity volleyball tournament

By Lauren Morley Brighton, United Kingdom – 20th August 2024 – Seed (helloseed.co.uk), a leading B-Corp Certified digital marketing agency in Brighton, has... Read more.
Animals & Wildlife, Sussex

The Mewes Vets welcomed dozens of families to their recent child friendly event.

By Jacqui Bloom Press release re vet school event Aug 24 Last weekend the new independent vets in Peacehaven, The Mewes Vets, opened their doors in an event they... Read more.
Food and Drink, Historic Buildings, History, Sussex

The Old Mill, Hailsham

ByLyn Funnell Driving out of the market town of Hailsham, East Sussex, to turn left on the A271 through Upper Horsebridge, you can’t miss the abandoned ruin... Read more.
Animals & Wildlife, Entertainment, Historic Buildings, History, Sport, Sussex

Lewes Racecourse Commemorative Event

By Lyn Funnell   I was horse-mad when I was in my teens. As I lived in the very horsy County Town of Lewes, Sussex I was lucky and had…... Read more.
Coastal, Food and Drink, History, Kent, Sussex, Uncategorized

Tasty Local Recipe; Kentish Twice Laid Fishcakes

There are still fishing boats of different sizes right along the Kent and Sussex coast. Fishing has always been an important industry around the British coast. Most... Read more.