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

Share this with

x

  • Towns & Villages Search

Towns & Villages Search

Type:
Keyword:

Towns & Villages Search

Type:
Keyword:

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.

Number of results:

Number of results: 253

, currently showing 201 to 220.

  1. St Mary's House & Gardens

    Type

    Type:

    Historic Site

    Steyning

    An enchanting historic 15th century timber-framed house, with magnificent gardens, in the picturesque award-winning downland village of Bramber, West Sussex ... a place of fascination and mystery. Many thousands of visitors have admired its…

  2. Stanmer Park

    Type

    Type:

    Parkland / Woodland Garden

    Brighton

    With its beautiful woodland walks and extensive open lands, Stanmer Park is just as perfect for a family picnic as it is for a kick about with your friends or those looking for a bracing walk over the Downs

  3. Stansted Park

    Type

    Type:

    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.

  4. Staplefield

    Type

    Type:

    Towns & Villages

    Staplefield is an attractive village three miles north-west of Cuckfield. The former local industry of tanning was carried out in Tanyard Lane, with the pits for soaking the hides at The Grange. The Jolly Tanners Inn reflects this industry.

  5. Steyning

    Type

    Type:

    Town

    Steeped in History and set against the inspiring landscape of the South Downs, Steyning is one of the most picturesque towns in Sussex.

  6. Storrington

    Type

    Type:

    Towns & Villages

    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

  7. Sussex by the Sea

    Type

    Type:

    Towns & Villages

  8. Sussex Top Attractions Ltd

    Type

    Type:

    Business Institution

    Chiddingly, Lewes

    Top attractions in Sussex – many in the new South Downs National Park. We boast historic houses, castles and gardens, steam railways, wildlife centres, Roman villas, the Royal Pavilion at Brighton, family fun and water activities and many others.

  9. Tangmere Military Aviation Museum

    Type

    Type:

    History and Heritage

    CHICHESTER

    A chance to see and hear the stories of heroes, in the air and on the ground, from World War 1 to the Cold War. Record breaking aircraft and others that have starred in films.

  10. Telscombe Village

    Type

    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

  11. Tenterden

    Type

    Type:

    Towns & Villages

    Tenterden

    Tenterden, known as the ‘Jewel of the Weald’, offers the best of all worlds; fascinating history, a wealth of architecture and excellent shopping.

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

    Type

    Type:

    Café

    Hassocks

    The Barn Coffee Shop and Restaurant at South Downs Heritage Centre

  13. The Beachy Head Story

    Type

    Type:

    Heritage / Visitor Centre

    Eastbourne

    Discover why the rare and beautiful landscape around Beachy Head has been important for thousands of years at the new Beachy Head Story exhibition and shop. Start your journey through the landscape and explore what makes the Downs around Eastbourne…

  14. The Cat Inn

    Type

    Type:

    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.

  15. The Chapel Down Winery

    Type

    Type:

    Vineyard

    Tenterden

    Chapel Down is England’s leading wine producer with an award-winning range of sparkling and still wines. Based in Kent, in the heart of the Garden of England, we produce wines of the highest quality and which we believe offer the best expression of…

  16. The Cuckoo Trail

    Type

    Type:

    Nature Trail / Watching

    Polegate

    The Cuckoo Trail is 11 miles long joining three of the district’s towns, Heathfield, Hailsham and Polegate. It also passes through the villages of Horam and Hellingly.

  17. The Living Coast By Bike

    Type

    Type:

    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…

  18. The Long Man of Wilmington

    Type

    Type:

    Historic Site

    Polegate

    See how the Long Man of Wilmington is a striking image on the Sussex hillside. Europe’s largest human representation cut into the South Downs, it's baffled historians for hundreds of years

  19. The New Club

    Type

    Type:

    Restaurant

    Brighton

    The New Club is an American styled restaurant, café and bar located on Brighton Seafront where you will experience the taste and feel of New York City.

  20. The Safari Pizza Co

    Type

    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.