With 150 kilometres of coastline and acres of countryside, there are thousands of things to do in a visit to Sussex, whether you're a thrill-seeker, a shopaholic, a nature lover or a foodie - and since you're never more than an hour from London, the capital's delights can play a part in your stay here.
Most of West Sussex is made up of the beautiful South Downs National Park, but the whole of Sussex's countryside is a joy to behold. There are elegant stately homes, fairytale castles, colourful gardens and cultural connections including Charleston, where the Bloomsbury artists and intellectuals intertwined their lives and loves.
Get up close and personal with Hastings’ smugglers, Eastbourne's adrenaline junkies, Arundel's antiques and Brighton's gastronomy. Discover more about the county's towns and villages using our interactive map of Sussex.
Explore more than 200 of Sussex's tourist attractions, many of which are open all year round so find something to do today with listings for attractions each showing a map and opening times for your convenience. Or why not browse our events guide to find out what's on in Sussex today or this week in the east and west of the county.
Drusillas Park in East Sussex is widely regarded as the best small zoo in Europe. However, animals are only half the fun; visitors can also explore the large adventure play areas and meet their TV heroes!
A day out in Sussex can easily be extended to two, or three or more days, and luckily Sussex offers an array of hotels, inns, B&Bs and other accommodation that will not only help you extend your stay but enhance it.
For more information about Sussex, including ideas for days out, attractions and events, view the list below for information on things to do and towns and villages within the county. Use the 'map view' button to find something near you.
Number of results: 216
, currently showing 1 to 20.
Sightseeing
Brighton
Take to the skies to see Brighton and the South Coast as you have never seen them before!
Animal Collection / Zoo
Alfriston
Widely known as the best small zoo in Europe, Drusillas Park offers a fun-tastic day out that includes hundreds of exotic animals, from monkeys and meerkats to penguins and pandas.
Towns & Villages
Some of the street names of Ringmer refer to its past. Springett Avenue is named after Ringmer resident, Gulielma Springett who married William Penn (the founder of Pennsylvania in the USA), whilst Sadlers Way and Harvard Road are named after Anne Sa
Waymarked Trail
RYE
The scenic route this canal takes is perfect for walking and cycling. Dug by hand in the early 19th century, the canal was designed as a defence barrier on the low-lying land between Winchelsea and Hythe.
Towns & Villages
Hailsham
The town centre is a delightful mixture of the old and new, having two modern shopping precincts yet retaining some of the character of its past heritage with St Mary’s Church, Fleur de Lys and other buildings dating back to the sixteenth century.
Fishing
Lancing
Passies Pond is a day ticket fishery with a second lake for matches. Corporate days and junior teachings. We have been awarded centre of excellence status by the angling trades association for juniors.
Sports Ground
Lewes
Plumpton Racecourse is one of the most successful smaller jump racecourses in the country, staging sixteen National Hunt meetings from September to May.
Towns & Villages
Herstmonceux
Herstmonceux is a village and civil parish in the Wealden District of East Sussex.
Towns & Villages
With the villages of Horley and Copthorne and the town of Crawley close by there's more to Gatwick than the international airport.
Towns & Villages
Forest Row
Forest Row is at the northern tip of both East Sussex County Council and Wealden District Council. The outlying areas of the parish border three other counties - West Sussex, Surrey and Kent.
Garden
Henfield
Exciting prairie garden of 8 acres planted in the naturalistic style using 30,000 plants and over 600 different varieties
Towns & Villages
Newtimber, a small, scattered village with a population of about 75, lies just off the London to Brighton road. The Church of St John the Evangelist, a small 13th century building with interesting memorials, has been considerably restored.
Towns & Villages
Storrington
Storrington, once the home of a flourishing 1930s artistic community based around the Roman Catholic Priory, now a bustling place ideal for using as a base for exploring the South Downs. Storrington Museum
Museum
Eastbourne
An impressive Napoleonic circular brick fortress which provides the perfect home for the largest military museum in the South East.
Theatre
Worthing
The Art Deco Connaught Theatre, Cinema and Studio hosts a wide variety of plays ranging from musicals and thrillers to drama and children’s shows as well as 2D and 3D blockbuster films.
Towns & Villages
Albourne
Albourne, a small village with a population of about 600, is situated in the low Weald and Mid Sussex, just north of the South Downs.
Towns & Villages
Chichester
West Wittering is situated on the western coast of the Selsey Peninsula and has a large expanse of firm sand, ideal for children to play and safe for bathing. Portsmouth and the isle of Wight can be seen across the water.
Theatre
Worthing
The largest of the town’s entertainment venues, hosting live bands; Worthing Symphony Orchestra and the Wurlitzer Organ, ideal for music, comedy and events.
Beach
Worthing
Worthing has 5 miles of a beautiful palm-tree lined promenade, including the exciting new splash point and Lido making for a perfect fun day at the beach.