Make memories that last and enjoy a great family day out at the award-winning Drusillas Park, home to over one hundred exotic animals, including sloths, meerkats, monkeys, penguins, red pandas, giant anteaters and more!

Drusillas Park

Alfriston, East Sussex

Things To Do in Sussex

Share this with

x

  • Towns & Villages Search

Towns & Villages Search

Type:
Keyword:

Towns & Villages Search

Type:
Keyword:

With 140 miles 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.

Places to visit in Sussex

Sussex is filled with the beautiful South Downs National Park, the High Weald and Chichester Harbour, Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty (ANOB).  The whole of Sussex's countryside is a joy to behold, rich with elegant stately homes, fairy-tale castles, colourful gardens and cultural connections. The county links coast and countryside, East Sussex and West Sussex smoothly together.  

Get up close and personal with Hastings’ smugglers, Eastbourne's adrenaline junkies, Arundel's antiques, Worthing's natural playground, Chichester's Roman history and Brighton's gastronomy. Discover more about the county's towns and villages using our interactive map of Sussex.

Top 10 things to do in Sussex

Things to do in Sussex this weekend

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! 

The Sussex Guild Shop & Gallery, Lewes is great for those looking for a gift or chance to explore the work of local professional designers. Home to over 100 members, it is located in the imposing Elizabethan house, the Southover Grange.

Visit Arundel with its thousands of years of history, independent shops, art galleries and restaurants. Wander the cobbled streets, explore the riverside or head off road to the South Downs for countryside walks and cycling. 

Accommodation

A day out in Sussex can easily be extended to two, 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.

List of things to do & places to visit for days out in Sussex

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:

Number of results: 222

, currently showing 1 to 20.

  1. Rottingdean

    Type

    Type:

    Towns & Villages

    Brighton & Hove

    Rottingdean is an ideal place to spend an afternoon browsing the shops and galleries, relaxing in Rudyard Kipling's gardens or taking tea in a traditional English tearoom.

  2. Drusillas Park

    Type

    Type:

    Animal Collection / Zoo

    Alfriston

    Make WILD memories and enjoy a great family day out at the award-winning Drusillas Park. Drusillas offers a loving home to over one hundred exotic animals, including sloths and penguins!

  3. Petworth House & Park

    Type

    Type:

    Historic House / Palace

    Petworth

    The beauty and drama of this 17th century palace inspired the artist JMW Turner time and time again. Petworth became Turner’s favourite retreat and he was a regular guest of the 3rd Earl of Egremont. Today a world famous art collection fills the…

  4. Nymans

    Type

    Type:

    Garden

    Haywards Heath

    One of the great Gardens of the Sussex Weald with a collection of rare and beautiful plants from all over the world, including breathtaking spring colour in the walled garden, an old fashioned rose garden, summer borders and much more.

  5. Hastings

    Type

    Type:

    Towns & Villages

    Hastings

    Set in the heart of 1066 Country and the remains of William the Conqueror's first English castle, Hastings is an historic town with many points of interest, events and things to do.

  6. Littlehampton

    Type

    Type:

    Town

    Home to superb sandy beaches, a bustling marina & harbour and stunning contemporary architecture, there are many things to do in the town of Littlehampton

  7. Alfriston

    Type

    Type:

    Towns & Villages

    Alfriston is a must-visit village. On the banks of the Cuckmere River, at the foot of the beautiful South Downs and now situated within the boundaries of the new National Park, there is so much here to interest visitors.

  8. Ringmer

    Type

    Type:

    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

  9. Passies Pond

    Type

    Type:

    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.

  10. Hastings Country Park Nature Reserve

    Type

    Type:

    Natural Feature

    Hastings

    A fabulous nature reserve with stunning coastal scenery situated within the High Weald Area Of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

  11. Handcross

    Type

    Type:

    Towns & Villages

    Handcross, is a Victorian village close to the A23 main London to Brighton road. Nearby are the 30 acres of Nymans Gardens run by the National Trust, as well as the 20 acres of woodland and water gardens at The High Beeches.

  12. Coombes Farm Tours

    Type

    Type:

    Farm

    Lancing

    In Coombes, near Lancing, West Sussex, England UK where the Passmore family have been farming for 5 generations since 1901.

  13. Exploring Brighton & Hove

    Type

    Type:

    Cities

    Brighton

    Voted one of the top 10 city beach break destinations in the world, Brighton & its beachfront are legendary. But there is so much more to Brighton than just the beach and if you are spending time in the city, make time to head out and explore the…

  14. Slindon

    Type

    Type:

    Towns & Villages

    Arundel

    Slindon village is charming and unspoilt, with brick and flint houses surrounded by beech woods, farms and open downland with many of the houses in the care of the National Trust

  15. Slaugham

    Type

    Type:

    Towns & Villages

    Slaugham is a small village around an attractive green, and its large lake is one of the sources of the River Ouse. The Norman Church has a 13th century tower with a Victorian clock set in its north side.

  16. Wisborough Green

    Type

    Type:

    Towns & Villages

    Billingshurst

    Wisborough Green lies in the northwest corner of West Sussex, astride the A272 east-west main road. The River Arun and its flood plain to the east and the heavily wooded high ground to the west maintain the essentially rural nature of the Parish and

  17. Bexhill Museum

    Type

    Type:

    Museum

    Bexhill-on-Sea

    A friendly, local museum with a surprising variety of displays spread over three galleries, lillustrating the geology, natural and local history and archaeology of the area.

  18. Tudor History Tours

    Type

    Type:

    Walking Tour

    Station Parade, Eastbourne

    Unique holidays in Southern England, brought to you by Tudor History Tours, who offer an unrivalled opportunity to bring this period in our nation’s history to life!

  19. Paradox Place

    Type

    Type:

    Quirky

    Brighton & Hove

    In the heart of Brighton’s North Laine awaits a collection of mind-bending optical illusions, interactive artwork, ancient and new magic tricks as you step inside the magical world of Paradox Place.

TWITTER UPDATES

Visit South East England

VisitSEEngland

Visit South East England

So gorgeous ❤️ #Hampshire https://t.co/MUpV6L6upI
26 Mar 2023   16:44:56
RT @jdfennerguide: Explore Sandwich and the White Cliffs Country with one of our locally based, professional Blue Badge Guides.… https://t.co/kMZFDJHnAw
26 Mar 2023   16:43:35
RT @matephoto: Choppy day at Walmer Kent @VisitKent @VisitDeal @VisitDover @VisitSEEngland https://t.co/k9lgzbNLXK
26 Mar 2023   12:33:28
RT @hevercastle: Don't forget, the Water Maze re-opens tomorrow! 💦 #HeverCastle https://t.co/UvW55T8qZp
26 Mar 2023   09:08:57