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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: 255

, currently showing 41 to 60.

  1. River Adur - Coastal Link & Sculpture Trail

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    Type:

    Natural Feature

    Shoreham-by-Sea

    The River Adur, an important trade route since Roman times, derives its name from the Celtic word 'Dwyr', meaning 'water'. It gives its name to the Adur District dividing it roughly in half.

  2. Haywards Heath

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    Town

    In the heart of mid Sussex is Haywards Heath, which owes much of its growth to the railway. The town has an impressive collection of Victorian and Edwardian houses, many situated in mature grounds surrounding the Conservation Area of Muster Green.

  3. Harbour Park – Indoor Soft Play

    Type

    Type:

    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…

  4. Action Watersports

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    Type:

    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+

  5. Passies Pond

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    Type:

    Fishing

    Lancing

    Passies Pond is a day ticket fishery with a second lake for matches. Corporate days and junior teachings. We have been awarded centre of excellence status by the angling trades association for juniors.

  6. Borde Hill Garden

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    Garden

    Haywards Heath

    A historical formal Garden, woodlands, lakes, parkland and adventure playground.

    Event days. Café & restaurant, art gallery, gift shop. Dogs permitted

  7. 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

  8. Lime Squeezy

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    Type:

    Restaurant

    Brighton

    Head to Lime Squeezy, Brighton for fast Thai food, cooked fresh and served in a welcoming environment.  Located on Jubilee Street, you can tuck into a Green Curry or a Pad Thai, enjoy a selection of vegetarian, vegan and even gluten free dishes…

  9. Cranbrook

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    Type:

    Towns & Villages

    Cranbrook

    Cranbrook, known as the Capital of the Weald, is a pretty town with a medieval layout of streets and alleys – many buildings dating from the 15th century through to the 19th century.

  10. East Sussex

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    Type:

    Towns & Villages

    Whatever your choice, East Sussex is a unique mix of beautiful market towns, laid-back beach life and unspoilt countryside.

  11. One Garden Brighton

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    Type:

    Garden

    Brighton & Hove

    Proudly presented and managed by Plumpton College, One Garden Brighton is a free to enter destination garden, a place to connect with nature and discover something different every day.

  12. Wakehurst

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    Type:

    Garden

    Haywards Heath

    Have a day out like no other at Wakehurst, Kew's wild botanic garden. With over 500 acres to discover, Wakehurst is home to a dramatic and diverse landscape, ranging from ornamental gardens to temperate woodlands, wildflower meadows and the Loder…

  13. Brighton i360

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    Type:

    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.

  14. Burgess Hill

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    Type:

    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.

  15. Chailey

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    Towns & Villages

    The 13th century parish church is at the heart of Chailey, one of the largest parishes in the district.

  16. Egerton Park

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    Type:

    Country / Royal Park

    Bexhill

    Enjoy a game of tennis on one of the outdoor courts, try your hand at bowls or take a boat out on the lake. Children of all ages will love the play-zone with a range of exciting equipment including a zip-wire, climbing unit with tree house and sand…

  17. Amberley

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    Type:

    Village

    Amberley

    Amberley is set on the River Arun with many flint walled, thatched cottages, a medieval castle (now a hotel) and a fascinating Industrial Museum.

  18. Brighton Toy and Model Museum

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    Type:

    Museum

    Brighton

    Located in four Victorian cellars under Brighton Railway Station, the Brighton Toy and Model Museum will invoke many childhood memories and dreams.

  19. South Downs National Park

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    Type:

    National Park


    The South Downs, now a newly designated National Park are easily accessible from Worthing.  The South Downs Way runs from Winchester to Eastbourne and can be accessed at several points around Worthing or Adur.

    Discovery ticket:

    The new…

  20. Petworth

    Type

    Type:

    Town

    A charming town steeped in history and bustling with boutiques, nestled in the heart of the South Downs National Park, Petworth is a perfectly preserved market town within easy reach of London. Renowned for its independent shops and awarded "Best…