Aerial of Ouse Viaduct taken from Borde Hill Gardens, Credit Experience West Sussex

Ouse Valley Viaduct taken from Borde Hill Gardens

Experience West Sussex

Things To Do in Sussex

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  • Towns & Villages Search

Towns & Villages Search

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Towns & Villages Search

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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.

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Number of results: 254

, currently showing 1 to 20.

  1. Rottingdean

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    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

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    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. Brighton Beach

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    Beach


    Brighton's popular shingle and sand beach in one of Britain's most famous seaside resorts. And boasts a refurbished pier, fun fairs, arcades, local boutique shopping in The Lanes.

  4. Mayfield

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    Towns & Villages

    Mayfield

    Mayfield is a large village in north-east Sussex, 9 miles south of Tunbridge Wells off the A267. Mayfield is a large village in north-east Sussex, 9 miles south of Tunbridge Wells off the A267. It has a beautiful high street with raised red brick pa

  5. Bosham

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    Towns & Villages

    A small attractive village on one of the small inlets of Chichester harbour, Bosham (pronounced 'Bozzum') has played an important part in the history of this country over the centuries.

  6. Mannings Heath Estate

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    Vineyard

    Horsham

    With the collaboration of wine and golf, we are aiming to attract visitors for wine visiting, fine food experiences, with a challenging experience for golfers.

  7. Hurstpierpoint

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    Towns & Villages

    Hustpierpoint is a village in the centre of Sussex which was mentioned in the Doomsday book.

  8. Sussex by the Sea

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    Towns & Villages

  9. Warninglid

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    Towns & Villages

    WARNINGLID or Warninglyth, as it was known in the 1300s, has Saxon origins with medieval iron-industry connections. In the last 25 years it has won the Best Kept Village competition three times and been runner-up on six other occasions. Its centre wa

  10. Worthing Pier

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    Beach

    Worthing

    The Pier offers plenty of opportunity to stop and watch the world go by and enjoy all that the seaside has to offer.

  11. Café on the Park

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    Café

    CHICHESTER

    Visit the Café on the Park at Chichester Festival Theatre where you can find barista coffee, home-made cakes and pizza, a quiet corner to plug in and work with free Wi-Fi or spaces to have fun with the family with beanbags, books in the nooks, fancy…

  12. Haywards Heath

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    Town

    In the heart of mid Sussex is Haywards Heath, which owes much of its growth to the railway. The town has an impressive collection of Victorian and Edwardian houses, many situated in mature grounds surrounding the Conservation Area of Muster Green.

  13. Hastings

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    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.

  14. Slaugham

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    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.

  15. Southease

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    Towns & Villages

    One of the prettiest of the Ouse Valley villages, Southease is a collection of cottages surrounding a little church. The church, which was mentioned in the Saxon charter of King Edgar in 966, was much larger than the building you see today.

  16. Wilderness Wood

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    Forest

    Crowborough

    "A hidden treat". A unique 61 acre family-run working woodland, where you can still see traditional coppicing. Fascinating and beautiful at all seasons, with miles of paths and tracks to explore, including springtime bluebell walk.

  17. Lime Squeezy

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    Restaurant

    Brighton

    Head to Lime Squeezy, Brighton for fast Thai food, cooked fresh and served in a welcoming environment.  Located on Jubilee Street, you can tuck into a Green Curry or a Pad Thai, enjoy a selection of vegetarian, vegan and even gluten free dishes…

  18. Shoreham Fort

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    Castle / Fort

    SHOREHAM-BY-SEA

    Shoreham Fort built in 1857 is now the last of its kind and definitely worth a visit on event and open days

  19. Forest Row

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    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.