The time has arrived again, for outdoor pursuits and beachside fun. The sun is out, the birds have returned and I no longer need to wear all the jumpers. So I am sharing a little secret spot we love with you.

Last year we moved out to a village on the East Sussex coastline and started to use the coast road that leads us from Hastings via Pett Level to Rye and beyond to Kent, where we regularly visit my husband’s family. One morning, as we took in the marsh land and wading birds, we came upon something of a surprise –  a bright red pig on top of a car – and behind it, a beautiful corrugated metal cabin painted in racing green. So we pulled into the lay-by to see what was going on and to our joy found friendly faces, Monmouth St. coffee, home-baked cakes and something savoury and serious for breakfast if you are out for an early drive.

Inside the cabin there are sip-and-go espresso perches and bigger seats to huddle up in if it’s a chilly day. My favourite thing is the beautiful window that frames the grazing sheep and the living wildlife scenes outside, better than TV any day. We love to grab a coffee from The Red Pig on our way out to visit friends and then hope to be travelling back in time for cake on our return journey home!

The Red Pig is open weekends from 9.30 am on Pett Level road opposite the beach from March 22nd until the cold, unbearable weather returns later on in the year.

Images by Jeska Hearne