Sussex. Extraordinary by nature.
Are you ready to discover a destination with a difference? Where rolling hills and chocolate-box villages are a pebble’s throw from traditional seaside towns and miles of coastline. The home to castles, cathedrals and country manors, with tales of Norman invaders and smugglers’ coves. A haven for walks and watersports, for bike rides and wellbeing breaks. Welcome to sparkling Sussex.
Culture vulture? Explore our galleries, museums, music venues and theatres. Total foodie? Savour stunning local produce at your soon-to-be favourite restaurant. Or how about hitting our independent boutiques, visiting our vineyards or booking tickets to an iconic event? It’s all here and so much more – and all right on London’s doorstep.
Easy to reach. Hard to leave.
Whether you’re visiting for the weekend or call the county home, you’re sure to find activities that’ll leave you feeling reinvigorated. Maybe it’ll be the sense of freedom you experience when surrounded by non-stop natural beauty. Or perhaps you’ll get your pulse racing and adrenaline pumping with an action-packed day by the water. And whoever you are, wherever you’re travelling from, you’ll always be greeted with open arms. In Sussex, we pride ourselves on welcoming everyone and anyone. Individuality is celebrated. Eccentricity is embraced.
On cloud wine
If you’re partial to a fine vintage, you can’t visit Sussex without stopping by our award-winning vineyards. And you really are spoiled for choice, in fact Sussex is home to 25% of Britain's Vineyards! From wine-tastings to tours, overnight stays to on-site dining, our vineyards offer curated experiences in incredible locations.
So, what will be first on your list? Start exploring everything Sussex has to offer, whether you’re looking for things to do, wondering what’s on, planning where to stay or researching the best food and drink spots. See you soon!
Win a 2 night stay at The View Hotel Eastbourne
Win a Sussex seaside escape with a two-night stay at The View Hotel Eastbourne, plus a memorable experience for two by land or sea.
Awaken your inner explorer
Come and discover your new favourite destination. What can you expect? Here's a taster...
Sussex in Bloom
Discover world-class gardens, flower festivals and historic houses in Sussex this Spring
West Dean Gardens
Nestled at the foot of the South Downs, West Dean Gardens in West Sussex is one of the greatest…
Wakehurst
- Wakehurst
Have a day out like no other at Wakehurst, Kew's wild botanic garden. With over 500 acres to…
Sheffield Park and Garden
About Sheffield Park and Garden The Grade I listed garden is a horticultural work of art formed…
Leonardslee Lakes and Gardens
Leonardslee Lakes and Gardens is described as ‘The Finest Woodland Gardens in England’. Its rich…
Arundel Castle
No trip to West Sussex is complete without visiting the magnificent Arundel Castle. Set high on a…
Pashley Manor Gardens
- Pashley Road
At Pashley you will discover 11 acres of beautiful borders and vistas - the culmination of a…
Great Dixter House & Gardens
- Great Dixter
Great Dixter is a garden you can immerse yourself in, vibrant, daring and exciting. Originally home…
High Beeches Woodland and Water Garden
- High Beeches Lane
High Beeches is a 27 acre woodland garden near Handcross. It is a garden of meandering paths and…
Nymans
- Staplefield Road
One of the National Trust’s premier gardens, Nymans has views stretching across the Sussex Weald…
Standen House and Gardens
Discover the arts and crafts movement at the Standen family home and explore life as it would have…
Tulleys Farm
Tulleys Farm is a large event space on the outskirts of Crawley, famous for its Halloween fright…
Borde Hill Garden
- Borde Hill Lane
Borde Hill is a 2,000-acre Estate which has been owned by the Stephenson Clarke family for over 130…
Michelham Priory House & Gardens
Explore 800 years of history at Michelham Priory House and Gardens, set on a picturesque moated…
Herstmonceux Castle Estate
- Herstmonceux Castle
Herstmonceux Castle is rich in history dating back to the 15th Century, commissioned by Sir Roger…
The UK's newest National Nature Reserve is opened Sussex
Find out more about the Seven Sisters National Nature Reserve, as opened by King Charles III on 19th March 2026!
Explore a royal coastline in Sussex
Discover the iconic Seven Sisters and the King Charles III England Coast Path in Sussex
What's on this week in Sussex
Race Meeting
Afternoon Jump Racing. Check venue for exact opening and race times.
Excavating Bridge Farm - 13 Years of Finding More Than We Bargained For
Over the past thirteen years, excavations at Bridge Farm, Barcombe Mills, have uncovered the remains…
Arundel Museum Exhibition: Women’s Land Army
- Arundel Museum
- May 8, 2026 - Jul 26, 2026
War affected every section of society, not just the military. More food needed to be produced and…
Arctic Monkeys Tribute
Arctic Monkeys tribute show with The Antic Monkeys.
Gozzle
- Arundel Wetland Centre
- May 8, 2026 - May 31, 2026
This spring, WWT Arundel is teaming up with Macmillan Children's Books to explore the wonderful…
David Devant and His Spirit Wife
David Devant and his Spirit Wife Though known widely for their 90s call to arms "Ginger…
Spire Visits
- Chichester Cathedral
- May 8, 2026 - May 30, 2026
Ascend through nearly 950 years of history, guided by knowledgeable volunteers, to Chichester…
Three Cheers for Pooh! Centenary Exhibition and Story Trail at Nymans
- May 8, 2026 - Jun 28, 2026
Extracts from A.A. Milne's much-loved Winnie-the Pooh stories are paired with E.H. Shepard's…
The Neal Richardson Septet
Neal's much-anticipated new project is being celebrated tonight. Entitled "The Light…
Half Term Nature Explorers
- May 8, 2026 - Jun 28, 2026
This half term, become a nature explorer at Standen. Create a nature journal of your own with…
Football for adults with a learning disability - Bognor
- May 8, 2026 - Jun 5, 2026
A coach led session for adults with a learning disability and / or autism. Come along to meet new…
Magic
- Chichester Festival Theatre
- May 8, 2026 - May 16, 2026
Harry Houdini is the greatest illusionist the world has ever known. Arthur Conan Doyle is the…
John Otway
John Otway and his hard hitting band attack his favourite set list with gusto, leaving plenty of…
Nashville Nights - DiElle Trio
Dust off your boots (or just bring your best toe-tap) and join us for a joyful Country Night packed…
The Leconfield Singers - Brahms Requiem
The Leconfield Singers are delighted to be back in Arundel Cathedral this year for Brahms…
Supper for the Soul with Self Space
An evening designed to slow things down. Supper for the Soul is a shared dining experience that…
Bentley Wildlife Wood Carvers display
The carvers display their beautiful work and demonstrate carving techniques.
Optics Demo Day
Want to experience wildlife in stunning detail? Our monthly Optics Days are here to help you find…
House Tour
- May 8, 2026 - Dec 31, 2026
Join us for an intimate guided tour around the house at Charleston in Firle. A knowledgeable visitor…
Summer Programme
- May 8, 2026 - Nov 1, 2026
Our Summer Programme unfolds through earthworks, sculpture, tapestry, ceramics and large-scale…
Spring Walk with our Head Gardener
- Leonardslee Lakes and Gardens
- May 14, 2026 - May 20, 2026
Leonardslee Lakes & Gardens is famous for its display of spring colour and our recently…
A Garden of Incredible Insects with Erica McAlister
Join Erica McAlister, Principal Curator at the Natural History Museum and one of the UK's most…
The Dockside Barrel Scrapers
Led by multi-instrumentalist Nick Pynn, Newhaven's own Dockside Barrel Scrapers are a joyful…
Great Adaptations
- May 8, 2026 - May 9, 2026
Great Adaptations - From Page to Stage. Songs and choruses from great musical theatre shows and…
Wild and Wonderful Sculpture: Alison Catchlove
- May 8, 2026 - May 31, 2026
An exhibition of flora and fauna metal sculptures which explores the intricate relationship between…
Gardening a Wilder Garden Workshop
- May 13, 2026 - Aug 12, 2026
Led by Knepp’s senior gardening team, this in-depth workshop explores the practical aspects of…
Guerilla Girls
- May 8, 2026 - Sep 6, 2026
The graphic art interventions of anonymous feminist collective, Guerrilla Girls, has challenged…
Rogate Pumpkin Patch Ticket Release
- May 8, 2026 - Oct 31, 2026
The Rogate Pumpkin Patch is now in its 12th year. We'll close with our much-loved Pumpkin SMASH!…
Halloween Ghost Walk Pevensey
- May 9, 2026 - May 30, 2026
A 90 minute Guided Ghost walk of Pevensey. Meet Castle Car Park for a guide walk hearing some of the…
Watercolour Painting Workshop
This watercolour painting workshop will invite you to explore sunny and vibrant illustrations…
Sculptural Ceramics
- May 8, 2026 - May 22, 2026
An opportunity to work with clay in a non-functional, sculptural way. This course aims to introduce…
Garden Sculpture Trail with FiveTwo Designs Ltd
- May 8, 2026 - Jul 14, 2026
Don't miss the chance to visit the gardens and admire the sculptures. This is a uniqie…
Candlelit Comedy at Stansted Park
For one night only, St Paul's Chapel will transform into a candlelit comedy club - intimate…
Showtime! A Celebration of Musicals
Experience a night of West End show songs in the heart of Sussex. Our Reza musicians will be joined…
Edwardian and The Great War Historic Falconry
Join our falconry history specialists Raphael Historic Falconry to learn about the last age of the…
Skelton Workshops
- May 8, 2026 - Nov 14, 2026
A range of five-week courses, two- and three-day courses and short taster courses in stone sculpture…
Allo'allo 2 - The Camembert Caper
- May 8, 2026 - May 9, 2026
Based on the original BBC TV series written by Jeremy Lloyd and David Croft Adapted by David…
Tom Hingley
Tom Hingley (ex Inspiral carpets) and musicians perform songs from Tom's new solo album The…
Cassidy Paris
Australian rocker Cassidy Paris has a very bright future ahead of her. Raised on classic hard rock…
Birdsong Identification
- May 14, 2026 - May 21, 2026
Take an early morning amble through the spring woods to discover and learn some birdsongs. Sarah…
Shhh...
- May 8, 2026 - May 31, 2026
Shhh… explores how autonomy and intimacy coexist, how two distinct practices can resonate without…
Generation Why
- May 13, 2026 - May 26, 2026
As seen on HBO & BBC, Dian Cathal brings you a new comedy hour about the best and worst of the…
Model Boats on the Lake
- Leonardslee Lakes and Gardens
- May 9, 2026 - May 10, 2026
See the Schooner Radio Control Group in action on the Lakes at Leonardslee Lakes & Gardens, and…
25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee
Experience the charm and chaos of The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, performed by our Level…
Family Football Funday
Get ready for a day of goals, games, and local rivalry! Join us at Hastings United Football Club for…
Henge
Extra-terrestrial joy-mongers Henge have been delighting audiences in the UK and Europe since they…
The Power of Music
From winning BBC Young Musician ofthe Year in 2016 to playing at Harry and Meghan's wedding…
Photography for Beginners
- Leonardslee Lakes and Gardens
- May 8, 2026 - Oct 16, 2026
Want to start a new hobby or learn more about photography and escape auto mode? Learn how to use…
15 ideas for Solo travellers
Thinking about exploring Sussex on your own? Our guide gives inspiration for the best ways to visit Sussex as a solo traveller, with ideas that range from peaceful coastal walks to vineyard tours, historic towns and creative experiences.
Feeling inspired? Book your stay in Sussex now
Find accommodation to suit every style, and start planning your Sussex getaway.
Top reasons to visit Sussex
A foodies guide to Sussex
Sussex has a vibrant and varied food scene. From farm-to-fork restaurants and vineyard dining to award-winning pubs and Michelin-starred cuisine you…
Sussex shines in the Michelin Guide
The 2026 Michelin Guide has officially been released, and Sussex has once again earned it's place as a must-visit culinary destination. With six…
Food and drink
Sussex has exceptional local produce and world class vineyard estates on its doorstep.
De La Warr Pavilion
- Marina
A pioneering centre for the arts located in Bexhill, established in 1935. A place where everyone can experience contemporary exhibitions…
Hastings Contemporary
Hastings Contemporary is a bold, independent arts charity in the heart of Hastings Old Town. Situated on the town’s historic fishing beach, we…
Towner Gallery
Collecting and exhibiting contemporary art for 100 years, Towner Eastbourne sits where the coast and the South Downs meet. Towner presents exhibitions…
Tours & Experiences
From historic landmarks and charming villages to scenic coastlines and award-winning vineyards, explore the best of Sussex with local expert guides…
Watersports
With a 100-mile coastline and calm inland waterways, there’s nowhere better than Sussex for diving into watersports. A calm paddleboard along…
Top 4 Coastal Walks in Sussex
Explore stunning walks along the beautiful Sussex coastline, following the King Charles III England Coast Path.
Discover Sussex stories
Sussex Guide: Artists Open Studios, Art Trails and Craft events
- 10 min read
Sussex offers one of the most rewarding ways to experience art in the UK, far beyond the walls of…
How to Experience the Seven Sisters: Routes, viewpoints and coastal magic
- 5 min read
Few landscapes in England feel as instantly recognisable as the Seven Sisters. These striking chalk…
Our Guide to the most unique places to stay in Sussex
- 5 min read
Unusual places to stay in Sussex to turn your break into an experience! Looking for somewhere to…
Gardens as laboratories: what Sheffield Park is teaching us about our future landscapes
- 3 min read
Joe Perkins is the designer of the A Garden for the Future at the National Trust’s Sheffield…
Explore the Wealden Wine Trail
- 5 min read
Discover the Wealden Wine Trail Tucked away among rolling hills, ancient woodland and charming…
Best budget-friendly Family Days Out in Sussex
- 6 min read
Planning a family break or day out on a budget? Experience Sussex has curated a selection of ideas…
Find your 'Wild' in Sussex
- 4 min read
Sussex is a place where nature still feels wonderfully alive. Rewilded estates echo with birdsong…
Discover the stunning gardens of Sussex
- 7 min read
If you’re looking for inspiration for a day trip where you can make the most of your natural…
Explore the Arun Valley Line with Beyond the Rails podcast
- 5 min read
Explore the Arun Valley Line: coast, castles and easy escapes from London Looking for a day out that…
7 Ways to Really Slow Down on a Sussex Calmcation
- 6 min read
The idea of the “calmcation” has appeared everywhere recently, but in practice it…
Ideas for Mother's Day in Sussex
- 6 min read
Thoughtful Ways to Treat Mum This Mother’s Day in Sussex Mother’s Day is the perfect…
Historic Sussex Pubs: Where every pint comes with a story
- 5 min read
Sussex tells its tales in the warm glow of pub firelight. Step into an old inn here and…
USA 250: Anglo-American Connections in Chichester
- 5 min read
In 2026, the United States of America commemorates 250 years since the signing of the Declaration of…
USA 250: Exploring a Legacy of Liberty in Lewes
- 5 min read
As the United States marks its 250th anniversary in 2026, commemorating a semiquincentennial of…
Sussex and the Declaration of Independence: A Hidden Connection
- 4 min read
Sussex holds one of the most intriguing links to American history: an original copy of the…
Step into Sussex's Great Outdoors
- 3 min read
In the heart of Sussex, Pied A Terre Adventures has established itself as one of the region’s…
Sussex Lifeboat Stations: A Coastal Trail of Courage
- 3 min read
Discover the Lifesaving Legacy Along the Sussex Coast The Sussex coastline is a treasure trove of…
From the British Museum to Battle: visit the Sussex sites from the Bayeux Tapestry
- 5 min read
With the Bayeux Tapestry being loaned to the British Museum in London later this year, from…
9 Top Glamping Spots in Sussex for Peaceful Getaways
- 7 min read
Looking for a slower, softer escape? A Sussex calmcation offers the perfect opportunity to press…
Winnie-the-Pooh at 100: visit the Sussex locations of the beloved books
- 5 min read
Winnie-the-Pooh at 100: visit the Sussex locations of the beloved books “If you live to be a…
Top events in Sussex for 2026
- 4 min read
Looking for the best events in Sussex in 2026? From world-class festivals and historic celebrations…
Winnie-the-Pooh and the Sussex Countryside: A Storybook Journey
- 2 min read
Discover the Sussex Roots of Winnie-the-Pooh Few stories have captured hearts across generations…
Where to Stay in Sussex for Stargazing Adventures
- 3 min read
The combination of rolling chalk hills, open heathland and quiet coastal plains makes Sussex a dream…
Castles and Forts of Sussex: A Journey Through Time
- 5 min read
Sussex is a county where history is etched into every hill and valley. Its castles tell stories of…
Helpful information for planning your Sussex trip
From travel, weather and accessibility information and more, find everything you need to help plan your stay in Sussex
Visitor Information