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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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. Preston Manor & Gardens

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    Historic House / Palace

    Brighton

    A delightful manor house which belonged to the Stanford family for over 200 years and which still has the atmosphere of an Edwardian country house.

  2. Goodwood

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    Village

    Chichester

    Goodwood House, home to the Dukes of Richmond and Gordon for over 300 years, together with the Goodwood Motor Circuit and Racecourse, hotel and Sculpture Park are the main landmarks of this charming village and area of the downs.

  3. Plumpton

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    Towns & Villages

    Plumpton is another village of two halves. The southern end of the village is cut across by the South Downs Way near the site of an Early Bronze Age settlement.

  4. Crawley

    Type

    Type:

    Town

    Crawley

    Sitting midway between the colourful city of Brighton and the sprawl of London, Crawley is perfectly placed to explore South East England and offers dozens of attractions and accommodation providers.

  5. Mucky Duck Inn

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    Type:

    Pub/Inn

    Rudgwick, Horsham

    A traditional Sussex country pub /restaurant with superior en-suite accommodation in a separate building.Family garden with children's play area and adult beer garden with giant chess board.

  6. Volk's Electric Railway

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    Type:

    Railway

    Brighton

    Britain's oldest electric railway built in 1883, running for one and a quarter miles along the top of the beach from the Aquarium Station near Brighton Pier to the Marina. Trains every 15 mins. Cafe and toilets opposite.

    Please note - Due to…

  7. Close Encounter - Lemur Experience

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    Nature and Wildlife

    Polegate

    Experience the chance to get up and close to the inquisitive and friendly Lemurs at Drusillas Park near Eastbourne.

  8. Devonshire Park Theatre

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    Theatre

    Eastbourne

    The Devonshire Park Theatre is a Grade II listed building designed by Henry Currey, built in 1884 and further improved by celebrated Theatre Architect Frank Matcham in 1903.
    The theatre has a seating capacity of 936.

  9. Exploring Brighton & Hove

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    Cities

    Brighton

    Voted one of the top 10 city beach break destinations in the world, Brighton & its beachfront are legendary. But there is so much more to Brighton than just the beach and if you are spending time in the city, make time to head out and explore the…

  10. Bexhill

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    Town

    Bexhill

    Renowned for its bracing and equable climate since Victorian times, there are plenty of things to do in the seaside town Bexhill & the surrounding area.

  11. Storrington

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    Town

    Storrington

    Storrington, once the home of a flourishing 1930s artistic community based around the Roman Catholic Priory, now a bustling place ideal for using as a base for exploring the South Downs. Storrington Museum

  12. High Weald

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    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.

  13. Farleys House and Gallery

    Type

    Type:

    Historic House / Palace

    Lewes

    Farley House offers you a warm welcome in the spirit of its former Surrealist occupants, the photographer Lee Miller and the painter and biographer of Picasso, Roland Penrose.

  14. Wiston Estate Winery

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    Type:

    Vineyard

    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…

  15. Seven Sisters Country Park

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    Type:

    Country / Royal Park

    Seaford

    Situated in the Sussex Downs Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB), the Seven Sisters Country Park comprises 280 hectares of chalk cliffs, meandering river valley and open chalk grassland.

  16. Newtimber

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    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.

  17. Worthing Museum and Art Gallery

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    Type:

    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.

  18. Borde Hill Garden

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    Type:

    Garden

    Haywards Heath

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

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

  19. Midhurst

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    Type:

    Town

    The famous ruins at Cowdray opened to the public again in 2007 after an extensive refurbishment.