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: 256
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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.
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.
Village
Chichester
Goodwood House, home to the Dukes of Richmond and Gordon for over 300 years, together with the Goodwood Motor Circuit and Racecourse, hotel and Sculpture Park are the main landmarks of this charming village and area of the downs.
Adventure Park / Playground
Hailsham
Exciting family rides
Amazing indoor & outdoor play
Zoo, Daily Owl Displays & much more!
Gallery
Brighton
Having earned itself an international reputation over the last few years for its stunning and original street artwork dotted around the city, Brighton & Hove is certainly a mecca for the creative.
Cities
Brighton
Vibrant, colourful and creative - three words that describe Brighton & Hove, one of the UK’s favourite seaside cities.
Towns & Villages
Newick is a lovely village with many buildings of special architectural and historic importance including an 11th century church. Newick, like many other Sussex villages, has kept its village green.
Town
Uckfield
Uckfield is an attractive market town combining classic values of strong community spirit and
friendliness with all the modern necessities of life. It is situated on the southern boundary of the High Weald Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty
Forest
CRANBROOK
The National Pinetum is a world-class collection of dramatic conifers and a beautiful setting for a country walk in all seasons.
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.
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
Pevensey
With so many notable attractions in Sussex it often happens that the quirky and unusual things escape notice.
Tea Room/Coffee Shop
Arundel
Visit Amberley Museum & Heritage Centre and immerse yourself in the nostalgia of the South East’s industrial heritage.
Boat
Newhaven
Newhaven ferry port is the easiest and closest link to France via Dieppe.
Rural Destinations
The High Weald is a medieval rural landscape at the heart of South East England, celebrated for its rolling hills, abundant woods and hedges, scattered farmsteads and sunken lanes.
Waymarked Trail
The Rother Wine Triangle is the first official trail for Sussex Winelands. It includes new wayfinding signage and orientation points that connect seven award-winning vineyards that fall between the triangular points made geographically between Rye,…
Nature and Wildlife
Polegate
Experience the chance to get up and close to the inquisitive and friendly Lemurs at Drusillas Park near Eastbourne.
Restaurant
PULBOROUGH
Awarded Winery of the Year 2018, the beautiful family-run Wiston Estate offers Wine Tours by appointment from their vineyard nestled in the heart of the rolling South Downs in West Sussex. Each tour concludes with a guided tasting of their English…
Town
Famous for long hours of sunshine, royal visits and Billy Butlin, Bognor Regis is a popular traditional seaside holiday resort on England’s south coast.