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: 259
, currently showing 201 to 220.
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.
Beaches
Worthing
Worthing has 5 miles of a beautiful palm-tree lined promenade, including the exciting new splash point and Lido making for a perfect fun day at the beach.
Cathedral / Minister
Chichester
In the heart of Chichester, a magnificent Cathedral with treasures ranging from medieval stone carvings to world famous 20th Century artworks. Entry free, donations welcome. Suggested donation £7.00 per person. Exhibitions, concerts and special…
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.
Parkland / Woodland Garden
Horsham
Leechpool is an ancient woodland covering 53 acres and includes Oak, Ash, Hazel, Hawthorn, Holly, Blackthorn, Sweet Chestnut and Scots Pine.
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.
Towns & Villages
Denton, a suburb of Newhaven looks out across the harbour and Tide Mills.
Adventure Park / Playground
Littlehampton
Home to the sea, beach, riverside, picnic greens and buckets of laughs. A must do for any family planning a fun day out!
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.
Restaurants
East Grinstead
Gravetye's award-winning Michelin Star restaurant provides uninterrupted views of its glorious gardens. They hold a Michelin Star and were awarded two Michelin Keys by the Michelin Guide in 2024.
Towns & Villages
Horley is a small but busy town of over 20,000 people situated almost half way between London and Brighton on the south coast.
Towns & Villages
Battle is a town most famous for the 1066 Norman Conquest and Battle of Hastings. The Abbey commemorates this and there are plenty of things to do nearby.
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…
Natural Feature
Hastings
A fabulous nature reserve with stunning coastal scenery situated within the High Weald National Landscape.
Town
Pevensey
With so many notable attractions in Sussex it often happens that the quirky and unusual things escape notice.
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.
Museum
Worthing
Varied collections including art, costume, toys, archaeology and local history. Exciting programme of rotation exhibitions throughout the year. Garden hosts changing sculpture exhibitions.
Town
Steeped in History and set against the inspiring landscape of the South Downs, Steyning is one of the most picturesque towns in Sussex.
Nature Reserve
Arundel
A stunning nature reserve with guided boat trips through reedbeds, secluded spots to watch wildlife and a collection wildfowl from around the world.
Steam Railway
Tenterden
Images of this picturesque line weaveing between Tenterden and Bodiam. England's finest rural light railway enables visitors to experience travel & service from a bygone age aboard beautifully restored Victorian coaches and locomotives.