Sunset over Brighton West pier, an icon on Brighton beachfront, only a short walk from Brighton Palace pier, one of the many piers you can visit along the South Coast.

Brighton Beach West Pier

Credit Visit Brighton, East Sussex

Things To Do in Sussex

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  • Towns & Villages Search

Towns & Villages Search

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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: 259

, currently showing 241 to 259.

  1. Rye

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    Towns & Villages

    Rye's ancient medieval streets are clustered around a sandstone hillside, over River Rother and Romney Marsh. Find things to do and places to visit nearby.

  2. Rother Wine Triangle

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    Vineyard

    The Rother Wine Triangle is the first official trail for Sussex Winelands based in the heart of 1066 Country. The trail connects six award-winning vineyards between Rye, Hastings, and Flimwell, in the Rother Valley region of East Sussex. Find great…

  3. Ditchling

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    Village

    Tudor houses, Georgian homes, village pond and mediaeval church set on the green. This is the picture postcard village of Ditchling.

  4. Turners Hill

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    Village

    Turners Hill village stands on a steep ridge line at one of the highest points, (600 feet above sea level), of the Sussex Weald where two historically important routes, the B2110 and B2028, cross. There are impressive views from the centre of the vil

  5. Leonardslee Wine Estate

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    Vineyard

    Horsham

    With breathtaking views and stunning landscapes, Leonardslee Wine Estate is home to a 37-acre vineyard, following sustainable practices, with the first release of wine in June 2024. The estimated production of 125,000 bottles of sparkling wine…

  6. Hastings

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    Towns & Villages

    Hastings

    Set in the heart of 1066 Country and the remains of William the Conqueror's first English castle, Hastings is an historic town with many points of interest, events and things to do.

  7. 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.

  8. Action Watersports

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    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+

  9. 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.

  10. Glyndebourne

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    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.

  11. Shoreham-by-Sea

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    Town

    Shoreham-by-Sea, is a historic town with a centre which reflects the architecture of its fishing history. There are old cottages, houses and some beautiful churches. Yet the town is vibrant and well worth a visit.

  12. East Sussex National - Restuarants and Bars

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    Restaurant

    Uckfield

    East Sussex National offers a complete luxury resort experience blending championship golf, a high end spa, modern fitness facilities, fine dining, and tranquil countryside surroundings.

    Whether you’re visiting for a golf break, spa retreat,…

  13. Barcombe

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    Towns & Villages

    Barcombe is three villages in one. There is the original community which surrounds the church, Barcombe Cross where villagers fled to escape the Black Death and Barcombe Mills, a popular fishing spot.

  14. Twineham

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    Village

    Twineham lies in the Adur valley with several attractive houses, including Twineham Place Farm dating from 1620. St Peter's Church is early Tudor, made of mellow red brick with a Horsham slate roof. There are covered pews, a gallery under the tower,

  15. Bishop's Palace Gardens

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    Garden

    Chichester

    Bishop's Palace Gardens is situated within the City Walls, next to the Cathedral. And it has now been developed by the council to offer a peaceful retreat for all to enjoy.

  16. Hastings Castle

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    Castle / Fort

    Hastings

    Images and views of the remains of Norman Castle built after William the Conqueror's victory at the Battle of Hastings. 1066 Story interpretation centre in siege tent

  17. Firle

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    Towns & Villages

    Lewes

    The narrow streets of flint knapped cottages do not seem to have changed for centuries. There are lovely walks from the village to Charleston Farmhouse (home of Vanessa Bell and other members of the Bloomsbury Group) and up to Firle Beacon.

  18. Southease

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    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.