The district of Lewes covers an area of 292 sq km, extending from the English Channel, through the South Downs National Park and into the countryside of the Sussex Weald to the north.

The towns of Haywards Heath and Burgess Hill in Mid Sussex District abut the north-western boundary and due to their available range of employment opportunities, retail, and public transport links to London and Gatwick, they exert a strong influence on the rural communities within the northern part of Lewes District. Lewes, Seaford and Newhaven are linked by rail connections to London, Gatwick, and towns along the Sussex coast and beyond. The high quality natural environment is safeguarded by the high level of environmental protection in parts of the district including the National Park, sixteen Sites of Special Scientific Interest, two Special Areas of Conservation, two National Nature Reserves, four Local Nature Reserves, and three Wildlife Trust Reserves. 

The district has 115 Sites of Nature Conservation Importance (SNCI). Lewes town accounts for almost half the district’s jobs, the high level of public sector employment. Seaford is the largest settlement in the district. It is located between the sea and the South Downs National Park.

Whilst each have separate LDS documents, Lewes District, Eastbourne Borough and The South Downs National Park Authority are closely connected Authorities sharing protection and interest in environmental assets. In 2011 The South Downs National Park Authority became a local authority in control of the whole of the National Park from Winchester to Eastbourne. Lewes LDS includes their Core Strategy which was jointly prepared with National Park.