Adventures By is proud to be part of the Uckfield Chamber of Commerce, sharing our passion for travel with the local business community.
Who we are
I’m Elle Pinkard, founder of independent travel agency Adventures By. Together with my colleague, Emma Butterworth, we help clients create holidays that are brilliantly planned and beautifully handled.
Adventures By began as a home-based agency in South East London four years ago, after I left another role in travel to start something of my own. From the very beginning, I knew I wanted to build something more personal, a place where clients could sit down with us face-to-face, feel part of a community, and talk through their travel dreams without pressure.
Emma and I met on a work trip to Malta in 2024 and quickly realised not only that we lived locally, but also that we shared the same vision of the kind of travel business we wanted to create.
We’re not like the high street chains or faceless online sites – and we never want to be. We’re proudly independent and believe in offering that old-fashioned, one-to-one service that has almost disappeared. Every trip is handled by us as owners, not employed staff, and we’re genuinely invested in each holiday. We take the time to get to know you so that every experience is tailor-made rather than one-size-fits-all.
Why a garden centre?
When it came to finding the right base, nowhere on the high street felt like the right fit. We wanted somewhere that reflected who we are; independent, welcoming, and just a little bit different. We’ve both always loved spending time in garden centres, and when we discovered Babylon Eco Centre (which happily still falls within Uckfield), it felt like the perfect match.
Babylon is so much more than a garden centre. It’s a hub for independent businesses, local makers, and the wider community, and it’s independently owned like us. You can really see the founders’ vision throughout the space, and that resonated deeply with us. It’s the sort of place where you can pick up a beautiful plant, enjoy a coffee in the award-winning café, and now, plan your next adventure with us.
Every Tuesday and Thursday, Emma and I are based at our Adventure Hub at Babylon. Clients pop in to browse brochures, chat about destinations, or simply enjoy a cup of tea while we bring their travel ideas to life. Outside of those days, we continue to work flexibly with clients by phone, email, or appointment. It’s working wonderfully – clients love having the time and space to talk through multi-centre trips without feeling rushed, while we carefully tailor everything to their needs.
More than a travel agency
For us, travel is about so much more than booking flights and hotels. It’s about trust, relationships, and community. We always wanted to be out of the home, sitting alongside our clients. That’s why we’ll be running special events at Babylon, inviting suppliers and destination experts to share their knowledge – from luxury cruises to cultural tours. These evenings give clients (and often their friends and families) the chance to explore destinations more deeply, ask questions, and feel inspired.
If you’d like to hear about our upcoming events – which will be invite-only – please do sign up here: https://subscribepage.io/adventuresbyevents.
As Adventures By grows, our aim remains simple: to create a travel community where clients become friends, and every holiday feels personal. That’s also why we’re delighted to be part of Uckfield Chamber of Commerce, supporting and celebrating independent businesses in our area. So whether you’re dreaming of an adventure holiday, a relaxing beach break, a cultural journey, or a special family trip, you’ll find that with Adventures By, your holiday will always be brilliantly planned and beautifully handled.