Sunset over Brighton West pier, an icon on Brighton beachfront, only a short walk from Brighton Palace pier, one of the many piers you can visit along the South Coast.

Brighton Beach West Pier

Credit Visit Brighton, East Sussex

Things To Do in Sussex

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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 21 to 40.

  1. Wakehurst

    Type

    Type:

    Garden

    HAYWARDS HEATH

    Stunning photos of magnificent botanic gardens owned by Kew & all you may wish to know prior to a visit including the world's largest wild plant seed bank

  2. Gatwick

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    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.

  3. Best views of the Seven Sisters

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    Towns & Villages

    The Seven Sisters are part of a magnificent stretch of coastline between Seaford and Eastbourne, including Beachy Head beauty spot.

  4. Telscombe Village

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    Type:

    Towns & Villages

    Not to be confused with Telscombe, by the coast, Telscombe Village is an ancient village tucked away in the Downs. It is only accessible by a narrow meandering downland road from the C7 Lewes to Newhaven road. It is quiet and because of this, it is u

  5. 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

  6. Burgess Hill

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    Town

    Burgess Hill

    Burgess Hill is a small town, just a few miles from Haywards Heath. The shopping facilities are very good for a small town, with an 'out of town' supermarket which includes a petrol station and restaurant/coffee shop.

  7. Brighton Centre

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    Concert Hall

    Brighton

    The Brighton Centre is the largest purpose built events venue on the South Coast.

  8. Atelier Beside the Sea

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    Type:

    Arts Centre

    Brighton & Hove

    Atelier Beside the Sea is an art gallery, shop and makers workshop situated on Brighton Beach and was established by Jon Tutton and Sarah Young, organisers of the much loved MADE London and MADE Brighton Design and Crafts fairs as well as Brighton…

  9. Amberley Museum

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    Type:

    Museum

    Arundel

    Find out why Amberley Museum is growing in popularity and information prior to your visit with a focus on industrial and transport history, with over 40 buildings.

  10. Sompting

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    Village

    The western end and northern parts of the parish of Sompting remain mainly rural with an abundance of flint walls, older houses and cottages. The church of St Mary's was built around 1000 and features a fine Saxon tower with a Rhenish Helm (the last…

  11. Highdown Gardens

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    Type:

    Parkland / Woodland Garden

    Worthing

    A unique and beautiful garden on downland countryside overlooking the sea. The Chalk Garden is the achievement of Sir Frederick and Lady Stern who worked for 50 years to prove that plants would grow on chalk. Green Flag Award winner.

  12. Lindfield

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    Towns & Villages

    Situated to the north of Haywards Heath, lindfield has four ingredients traditionally required for an attractive Sussex village -a historic church, a picturesque High Street, (once one of the coaching routes to Brighton), a tranquil pond graced by wi

  13. East Dean & Friston

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    Towns & Villages

    Eastbourne

    East Dean & Friston villages, including the smaller hamlets of Birling Gap and Crowlink, are situated within the South Downs National Park on the dramatic and beautiful coastline of Beachy Head and the Seven Sisters

  14. Hastings Castle & 1066 Story

    Type

    Type:

    Castle / Fort

    Hastings

    Images and views of the remains of Norman Castle built after William the Conqueror's victory at the Battle of Hastings. 1066 Story interpretation centre in siege tent

  15. Arundel Museum

    Type

    Type:

    Museum

    Arundel

    Arundel Museum is the south coast’s newest museum, revealing the story of the historic town of Arundel.

  16. East Wittering

    Type

    Type:

    Towns & Villages

    Chichester

    East Wittering lies on the same shore of the Selsey Peninsular and provides a sandy beach at low tide, pebbly at high tide.

  17. West Dean Gardens

    Type

    Type:

    Garden

    Chichester

    Creatively inspired by its rich heritage and South Downs setting, West Dean Gardens is brimming with features to enjoy. The gardens include a Walled Kitchen Garden and 13 working Victorian glasshouses, extensive and richly planted grounds including…

  18. 1066 Country

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    Towns & Villages

    Leaving the cities behind and heading for the sea, where the wooded hills of the Sussex Weald stretch down to England’s south coast, you find 1066 Country.

  19. West Beach Bar & Kitchen

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    Bar

    Brighton

    Located on Brighton beach, at the base of Brighton i360, West Beach is a casual dining restaurant with spectacular sea views. It has one of the city’s largest beachfront terraces, perfect for an alfresco meal or drinks.

  20. 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.