Stunning view taken by paragliders over Eastbourne seafront.

Discover Eastbourne

Credit Visit Eastbourne

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, 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.

Number of results:

Number of results: 255

, currently showing 41 to 60.

  1. South Downs National Park

    Type

    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…

  2. High Beeches Woodland and Water Garden

    Type

    Type:

    Garden

    Haywards Heath

    High Beeches Woodland and Water Garden is a beautiful, tranquil and historic garden of some 27 acres. It was begun more than 100 years ago and is full of rare and important plants and trees.

  3. Best views of the Seven Sisters

    Type

    Type:

    Towns & Villages

    The Seven Sisters are part of a magnificent stretch of coastline between Seaford and Eastbourne, including Beachy Head beauty spot.

  4. Kent & East Sussex Railway

    Type

    Type:

    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.

  5. Firle

    Type

    Type:

    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.

  6. Worthing Pier

    Type

    Type:

    Beach

    Worthing

    The Pier offers plenty of opportunity to stop and watch the world go by and enjoy all that the seaside has to offer.

  7. Hailsham

    Type

    Type:

    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.

  8. Bosham

    Type

    Type:

    Village

    A small attractive village on one of the small inlets of Chichester harbour, Bosham (pronounced 'Bozzum') has played an important part in the history of this country over the centuries.

  9. Saltdean Beach

    Type

    Type:

    Beach

    Brighton

    Saltdean beach is shingle between rock groynes backed by high chalk cliffs and at low tide, you have rock pools to explore. Located approximately 5 miles to the East of Brighton.

  10. Firle Place

    Type

    Type:

    Historic House / Palace

    Lewes

    A Tudor house with Georgian additions in downland park setting. Important English and European Old Master paintings, fine furniture and notable Sevres porcelain.

  11. Petworth House & Park

    Type

    Type:

    Historic House / Palace

    Petworth

    The beauty and drama of this 17th century mansion inspired the artist JMW Turner time and time again. Petworth became one of Turner’s favourite retreats, and he was a regular guest of the 3rd Earl of Egremont. Today, Petworth is home to a…

  12. Worthing Leisure Centre

    Type

    Type:

    Leisure / Swimming Pool

    Worthing

    Worthing Leisure Centre welcomes all ages to its very varied facility. From Creches to Climbing walls; classes to conferences; this is a multi purpose venue where fun and fitness are keywords.

  13. Amberley Museum

    Type

    Type:

    Tea Room/Coffee Shop

    Arundel

    Visit Amberley Museum & Heritage Centre and immerse yourself in the nostalgia of the South East’s industrial heritage.

  14. Lime Squeezy

    Type

    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…

  15. Horsham

    Type

    Type:

    Town

    Horsham

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

  16. Leonardslee Wine Estate

    Type

    Type:

    Golf Course

    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…

  17. High Weald

    Type

    Type:

    Rural Destinations

    The High Weald is a medieval rural landscape at the heart of South East England, celebrated for its rolling hills, abundant woods and hedges, scattered farmsteads and sunken lanes.

  18. Devonshire Park Tennis

    Type

    Type:

    Sports Ground

    Eastbourne

    Eastbourne’s oldest park probably dating from around 1873 or 1874 when the Devonshire Park Company was set up

  19. Royal Tunbridge Wells

    Type

    Type:

    Towns & Villages

    Royal Tunbridge Wells

    Royal Tunbridge Wells in Kent was one of the most fashionable towns of Georgian England, from the discovery of Chalybeate Spring 400 years ago