Lewes Dogs

Bonfire Night, for local dogs

Thursday 5 November 2026

The official line is that Lewes Bonfire is “not suitable for children, young families or dogs”. This guide is for those of us who live here with a dog: when the town shuts, and how to get a frightened dog through the night.

When the town shuts

  • Roads close from 4.45pm. Residents are asked to get their cars home before 4pm.
  • No trains stop at Lewes, Falmer, Cooksbridge, Glynde or Southease from 5pm until the first train on Friday 6 November.
  • So the last easy walk is in daylight, before the roads close.
The roads that close, and the last trains

Closed from 4.45pm

  • The A27 junction with the A277 Brighton Road (Ashcombe Roundabout)
  • The A275 Offham Road with the B2116 Plumpton Road
  • The C7 Kingston Road junction with the C324 Wellgreen Lane
  • The A26 junction with the A2029 Malling Street
  • The A26 Church Lane junction with Mayhew Way

The last trains from Lewes

  • 16:44 to Brighton, all stations
  • 16:55 to London Victoria, calling at Cooksbridge and Wivelsfield
  • 16:59 to Ore
  • 17:02 to Seaford, all stations except Southease

Some stations, such as Southease, have earlier last trains. Check Southern's site on the day.

Source: The multi-agency release, reposted by Ringmer Parish Council, 22 Sep 2026.

Before the bangs

  • Walk your dog in daylight, before the fireworks are likely to start. RSPCA, PDSA, Dogs Trust
  • Check the microchip details are up to date. By law, your dog should already be microchipped. RSPCA, Dogs Trust, BVA
  • Make the house and garden escape-proof. Dogs Trust
  • Set up a den ahead of the season: well padded, and as enclosed as you can make it with blankets. BVA, PDSA
  • Check the dates of displays nearby (our fireworks calendar). PDSA
  • Play recordings of fireworks, starting quiet and pairing them with treats, well before the season. RSPCA, PDSA
  • Talk to your vet about medicines or pheromone products. BVA, RSPCA

During the bangs

  • Close the windows and curtains, put the lights on, and play music or the TV to mask the bangs. Dogs Trust, BVA, PDSA
  • Let your dog hide or pace if it wants to. RSPCA, Dogs Trust
  • Comfort your dog if it comes to you. Ignoring it won't help. Dogs Trust, PDSA
  • Stay calm yourself. Dogs Trust, BVA
  • Wait for a gap in the fireworks to take your dog out to the toilet. PDSA
  • Don't tie your dog up outside, or leave it in a car or outside a shop. RSPCA
  • Never punish a frightened dog. RSPCA, BVA

After the bangs

  • Go back to your normal routine to help your dog settle. Dogs Trust
  • If your dog is still frightened, see your vet before next season. They may refer you to a clinical behaviourist. Dogs Trust, PDSA

Where the advice comes from

The nights near Lewes are on the fireworks calendar.