Aerial of Ouse Viaduct taken from Borde Hill Gardens, Credit Experience West Sussex

Ouse Valley Viaduct, Mid Sussex

Between Haywards Heath and Balcombe

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: 254

, currently showing 201 to 220.

  1. Bury

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    Village

    Bury is a picturesque village nestling beneath the downs and beside River Arun. There are many attractive old cottages, some thatched and some roofed with Horsham stone.

  2. Pooh Corner

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    Heritage / Visitor Centre

    Hartfield

    Pooh Corner is a gift shop specialising in Winnie-the-Pooh and his friends. The timber frame building is some 300 years old and has low ceilings - so you may have to duck your head to cross the threshold.

  3. The Crown Inn Dial Post

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    Pub/Inn

    Nr Horsham

    Award winning country pub with rooms. Family owned and run free house offering well kept local ales, homemade food, two self catering cottages, pub garden plus front patio overlooking the village green. Dog friendly.

  4. Steyning

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    Town

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

  5. Seaford

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    Towns & Villages

    Seaford

    Between the beautiful South Downs and the English Channel lies the bustling town of Seaford. With its impressive coastal scenery and maritime history, Seaford is a beautiful destination.

  6. Horsham

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    Town

    Horsham

    The market town of Horsham is set in outstanding parkland and countryside. Find things to do, shopping, restaurants and explore nearby places

  7. Harbour Park – Indoor Soft Play

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    Adventure Park / Playground

    Littlehampton

    At Harbour Park we have a fantastic soft play, which provides endless fun for children up to 9 years of age. With a variety of experiences including separate role playrooms, light tunnels, huge interactive gaming screen and so much more!
    No need to…

  8. 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.

  9. 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.

  10. Winchelsea

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    Town

    Once one of England’s most thriving ports, now landlocked, this tranquil hilltop town sits upon a honeycomb of hidden cellars.

  11. Hailsham

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    Town

    Hailsham

    The town centre is a delightful mixture of the old and new, having two modern shopping precincts yet retaining some of the character of its past heritage with St Mary’s Church, Fleur de Lys and other buildings dating back to the sixteenth century.

  12. Pelham Beach

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    Beach

    Hastings


    Hastings' main beach backs right onto the seafront of this established seaside resort town so you are never far away from the town's facilities and attractions.

  13. Booth Museum of Natural History

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    Museum

    Brighton

    This fascinating museum houses exhibits that include hundreds of British birds displayed in recreated natural settings, insects from butterflies to beetles, a killer whale skeleton and dinosaur bones

  14. Museum of Gardening

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    Heritage / Visitor Centre

    Brighton Road, Hassocks

    A unique visitor attraction in a stunning oak-framed barn. Independent British artists, designers and makers regularly showcase their work to the public.

  15. Arlington Bluebell Walk & Farm Trail

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    Nature Reserve

    Arlington

    Enjoy vistas of bluebells in 23 acres of ancient woodland. Walks and trails through three farms. Countryside exhibition. One walk is wheelchair friendly.

  16. Pevensey

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    Town

    Pevensey

    With so many notable attractions in Sussex it often happens that the quirky and unusual things escape notice.

  17. Brighton Centre

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    Live Music Venue

    Brighton

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

  18. 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.

  19. Brighton i360

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    Sightseeing

    Brighton

    Glide up to 138 metres high to enjoy 360° views of the sea, the sky, the South Downs, and the buzz of the city below.

  20. Wiston Estate Winery

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    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…