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, Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (ANOB) now known as National Landscape. 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, Chichester's Roman history, Littlehampton's harbour, Brighton's gastronomy, Rye's cobbled citadel, Bognor Regis sunshine, East Grinstead character. 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. Browse our events guide to find out what's on in Sussex today or this week and plan your next visit to the east and west of the county.

Free time this weekend?  Head to the historic town of Lewes and wander its narrow streets that nestle in the heart of the South Downs. Pay a visit to Sussex Guild Shop & Gallery, 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.

Don't miss the chance to explore the charming town of Arundel with its thousands of years of history, independent shops, art galleries and restaurants. Wander the cobbled streets, explore the riverside, visit the famous castle or head off road to the South Downs for countryside walks and cycling. Head along in August for the fantastic free Arundel Festival of Arts which runs for 10-days within the town.

Dive into a nostalgic visit with time in Bexhill-on-Sea, a creative hotstop, with vintage shops, independant cafe's and plenty of sea air and sea views to enjoy. Take in the stunning seaviews across the bay to Eastbourne and Beachy Head or Galley Hill and Hastings.

Explore the stunning natural beauty of Mid Sussex from the world famous gardens of Wakehurst to the breathtaking Ouse Valley Viaduct. Take a wander along one of the the recently mapped 'About the Place' walking trails which cover 40 miles in 7 circular walks across the district.

Accommodation

Whether you're ooking for a gardeners paradise at Gravetye Manor, five-star luxury by the sea The Grand, an award-winning campsite Stubcroft Farm, a South Downs retreat Tottington Manor or a last-minute holiday Daish's Imperial Hotel, you'll find a place thats right for you. It is easy to extend a day out in Sussex into two, three or more days with so much to do, 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: 255

, currently showing 81 to 100.

  1. Emsworth

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    Type:

    Towns & Villages

    Emsworth

    Emsworth, with its narrow streets, Georgian houses and walled gardens, is a picturesque fishing village popular with sailors, artists, naturalists and walkers.

  2. The Barn Coffee Shop and Restaurant at South Downs Heritage Centre

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    Type:

    Café

    Hassocks

    The Barn Coffee Shop and Restaurant at South Downs Heritage Centre

  3. Ashdown Forest

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    Rural Destinations

    Ashdown Forest, six and a half thousand acres of enchanted forest and heathland, is one of England's surviving primeval wonders.

  4. Bexhill Museum

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    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.

  5. The Safari Pizza Co

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    Type:

    Restaurant

    Haywards Heath

    Wood fired pizzeria & wine bar based in Haywards Heath, Sussex. Along with fresh pizza, made using homemade, slow proved dough and local ingredients the wine bar also boasts a great selection of interesting and local wines, cocktails and craft beer.

  6. Stansted Park

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    Historic House / Palace

    Stansted Park is home to stunning weddings, forest walks, afternoon teas and some of the best events in the south! Visit the Mansion for a real sense of a bygone era.

  7. Bishop's Palace Gardens

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    Garden

    Chichester

    Bishop's Palace Gardens is situated within the City Walls, next to the Cathedral. And it has now been developed by the council to offer a peaceful retreat for all to enjoy.

  8. The Cat Inn

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    Pub/Inn

    East Grinstead

    The Cat Inn is a 16th century free house set in the picturesque village of West Hoathly, a hilltop village set in the heart of the Sussex countryside. It is in within easy distance from the towns of East Grinstead and Haywards Heath.

  9. Pavilion Theatre

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    Theatre

    Worthing

    Part of Worthing Theatres, the Pavilion Theatre is situated on the promenade at the entrance to Worthing’s pier and hosts a variety of theatre, dance, music and comedy as well as events including craft fairs, children’s workshops and corporate events

  10. 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.

  11. Lodsworth

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    Village

    Lodsworth parish is in an area of outstanding natural beauty. It comprises Lodsworth village, the hamlet of Lickfold and part of Selham, with a population of some 60.

  12. Bexhill

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    Town

    Bexhill

    Renowned for its bracing and equable climate since Victorian times, there are plenty of things to do in the seaside town Bexhill & the surrounding area.

  13. High Beeches Woodland and Water Garden

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    Type:

    Garden

    Haywards Heath

    High Beeches Woodland and Water Garden is a beautiful, tranquil and historic garden of some 27 acres. It was begun more than 100 years ago and is full of rare and important plants and trees.

  14. Brighton & Hove

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    Cities

    Brighton

    Vibrant, colourful and creative - three words that describe Brighton & Hove, one of the UK’s favourite seaside cities.

  15. Hove Lawns Beach

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    Beach

    Hove

    Hove seafront begins at Hove Lawns and stretches right along to Hove Lagoon, near Portslade. There is a stunning walk along the seafront, especially just as the sun rises or sets, from the West Pier onwards.

  16. Glyndebourne

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    Towns & Villages

    Lewes

    A short distance from the county town of Lewes is the world renowned Glyndebourne Festival Opera, which runs from May to August.

  17. 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.

  18. Cliff Railways - East Hill

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    Railway

    Hastings

    East Hill Lift provides easy access to the Country Park

  19. Rodmell

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    Type:

    Village

    Lewes

    Rodmell is a small, quiet and charming village nestling in some of the finest scenery of the South Downs. It lies in the lower valley of the Ouse some four miles south of Lewes, the County Town of East Sussex, and a similar distance north of the…