Credit Visit Brighton, East Sussex
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.
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.
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.
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.
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: 254
, currently showing 1 to 20.
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!
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.
Historic House / Palace
Petersfield
A tranquil 17th-century house set within intimate gardens and woodland.
Town
Henfield
Henfield is a delightful rural market town dating from 770AD. Its rural setting, ancient commons and friendly shops and pubs make a great destination.
Horsham Visitor Information Centre
Tel: +44 01403 211661
//www.horsham.gov.uk/leisure_and_tou
Town
On the edge of Ashdown Forest, historic East Grinstead is a lively market town with a charter dating from as long ago as 1221. Until the 18th Century, East Grinstead flourished as an assize and market town and as the centre of the surrounding…
Historic House / Palace
Lewes
Farley House offers you a warm welcome in the spirit of its former Surrealist occupants, the photographer Lee Miller and the painter and biographer of Picasso, Roland Penrose.
Vineyard
Albourne
Set deep in the glorious Sussex countryside overlooking the South Downs, yet just 8 miles from Brighton. Visitors are warmly welcome at our vineyard as well as in our Tasting Room to sample our award-winning wines.
Town
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
Towns & Villages
Crowborough
Crowborough is the largest and highest inland town in East Sussex, set within the High Weald Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and bordering the Ashdown Forest, a site of European significance for birds and heathland.
Theatre
Eastbourne
The Devonshire Park Theatre is a Grade II listed building designed by Henry Currey, built in 1884 and further improved by celebrated Theatre Architect Frank Matcham in 1903.
The theatre has a seating capacity of 936.
Village
Ansty is a small settlement about four miles from Haywards Heath. Its village sign, situated at the Ansty Cross was painted by the renowned local artist James Forsyth.
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.
Village
Chichester
East Wittering lies on the same shore of the Selsey Peninsular and provides a sandy beach at low tide, pebbly at high tide.
Activity Organiser
Romney Marsh
Fancy an adrenalin fix? Action Watersports offers a huge range of watersports on a private freshwater lake, something for all water lovers from 6 to 80+
Village
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
Plumpton is another village of two halves. The southern end of the village is cut across by the South Downs Way near the site of an Early Bronze Age settlement.
Walking
Discover 40 miles of newly waymarked walking trails that criss-cross the mid-Sussex countryside including Lindfield, Handcross, East Grinstead, Balcombe and West Hoathly
Cycling
One of the best ways to discover the Living Coast a UNESCO World Biosphere is by bike and to help you explore discover a series of tried and tested bike routes and rides to enjoy. The rides are graded easy, medium and hard, so no matter your ability…
Village
Pulborough is a rural village lying across the line of the Roman Stane Street (the A29) which historically connects London and the north to important south coast ports and towns.
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…
© Visit South East England 2026. All Rights Reserved
.png){kind=icon}
