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!
Seen it on TV?
Find the locations and people featured in Episode 4 of the Channel 5 series, Sussex: Jewel of the South Coast
Great Dixter House & Gardens
- Great Dixter
Great Dixter is a garden you can immerse yourself in, vibrant, daring and exciting. Originally home…
Restaurant Interlude
"OUR STORY in·ter·lude \ ˈin-tər-ˌlüd A period or event that comes between two others and is…
Leonardslee Lakes and Gardens
Leonardslee Lakes and Gardens is described as ‘The Finest Woodland Gardens in England’. Its rich…
Sussex Dolphin Project - Newhaven
- West Quay
Join the Sussex Dolphin Project on our relaxed Sunset wildlife boat cruise to learn about our…
Sussex Boat Trips
- Beacon Drive
No visit to East Sussex is complete without a boat trip along the South Downs coastline. Experience…
Sussex takes centre stage in new TV series
Sussex: Jewel of the South Coast
Tune in to Channel 5, starting Saturday 25 July at 8pm to see Sussex on screen!
Awaken your inner explorer
Come and discover your new favourite destination. What can you expect? Here's a taster...
What's on this week in Sussex
Discover what’s happening this week and plan your perfect day out in Sussex.
Compton Festival
Compton Festival – a two day festival, set in the heart of the beautiful South Downs National Park…
Backstage Tours
- Chichester Festival Theatre
- Aug 18, 2026 - Oct 17, 2026
Our 75-minute guided tour is a brilliant way to explore how theatre is made! Discover our backstage…
Miguel Rothschild
- Hastings Contemporary
- Aug 18, 2026 - Sep 13, 2026
Miguel Rothschild brings a dramatic new seascape installation to Hastings Contemporary, exploring…
Musical Theatre Workshops
- Aug 18, 2026 - Aug 24, 2026
Join Top Hat Stage & Screen School for this drop-in, musical theatre workshop. A chance to sing…
Make Your Own Patchwork Elmer
Make your own bright patchwork Elmer using colour, shape and texture. You will then have your very…
Beginner Dip Pen Calligraphy Workshop - Summer Cards
Spend a creative summer morning discovering the beautiful art of dip pen calligraphy and designing…
A Small and Quiet Light
- Chichester Festival Theatre
- Aug 21, 2026 - Sep 12, 2026
October 1943. In a small office on the Avenue Foch in Paris, a Gestapo interrogator is questioning a…
Discovery Day – Pond Dipping & Bug Hunting
Discovery Day – Who's on the menu? Whilst pond dipping and hunting for mini-beasts in our…
Summer of Play
- Aug 18, 2026 - Sep 6, 2026
A summer of play at Standen with circus school activities. Roll up, roll up! Summer of Play arrives…
Guided Tree Tours at Nymans
- Aug 18, 2026 - Nov 18, 2026
Join one of our expert volunteer Tree Guides for a 90-minute tour showcasing the magnificence of the…
Ghost Walk Pevensey
- Aug 22, 2026 - Nov 14, 2026
A 90 minute Guided Ghost walk of Pevensey. Meet Castle Car Park for a guide walk hearing some of the…
Family Dragonfly Walk
Chasers, hawkers, emperors and demoiselles. What’s the difference and where are they? Join wildlife…
Curious About Hastings
- Aug 18, 2026 - Oct 24, 2026
Shakespeare Open-Air Theatre: As You Like It
- Arundel Castle
- Aug 21, 2026 - Aug 22, 2026
Experience Shakespeare's comedy As You Like It in Arundel Castle's Earl's Garden, which…
Wobble Tumble
- Aug 19, 2026 - Aug 28, 2026
This summer, Charleston's Learning Studio becomes a space for play. Wobble Tumble is an…
Raku Pottery Workshops in The Woods
- Aug 23, 2026 - Sep 6, 2026
Experience the unpredictable magic of pottery and fire with Hot Fox Pottery, at our full-day raku…
Curved Air
- Aug 23, 2026 - Aug 23, 2027
Curved Air is a unique band, synthesising an eclectic blend of musical styles into an instantly…
Elmer and Friends: The Colourful World of David McKee
- Aug 18, 2026 - Sep 13, 2026
Elmer and Friends: The Colourful World of David McKee. Celebrate and explore David McKee's…
Curious About Chichester
- Aug 18, 2026 - Oct 24, 2026
Unlock Chichester's Hidden Stories: Quirky Walks & Treasure Hunts Await! Ditch the ordinary…
Isthmian League: Eastbourne Town vs Hastings United
Eastbourne Town take on Hastings United in this South East Division fixture.
House Tour
- Aug 18, 2026 - Dec 31, 2026
Join us for an intimate guided tour around the house at Charleston in Firle. A knowledgeable visitor…
Isthmian League: Littlehampton Town vs Westfield
Littlehampton Town take on Westfield in this South Central Division fixture.
My Fair Lady
- Chichester Festival Theatre
- Aug 18, 2026 - Sep 5, 2026
Cockney Eliza Doolittle scrapes a living selling flowers on the streets of London. Her dream of…
Autumn Plant Fair
The ever-popular Specialist Autumn Plant Fair returns to Borde Hill on Sunday 20th September from…
Spire Visits
- Chichester Cathedral
- Aug 19, 2026 - Sep 30, 2026
Ascend through nearly 950 years of history, guided by knowledgeable volunteers, to Chichester…
Summer Sunday Music at Standen
- Aug 23, 2026 - Aug 30, 2026
Join us on Sunday afternoons for live music on the house terrace. Bring picnic rugs and chairs and…
Sneak Peek Tours at Nymans
- Aug 18, 2026 - Oct 30, 2026
Take a behind the scenes look inside the house on a sneak peek tour. Tours last approximately 30…
Garden Explorer Trail at West Dean Gardens - Summer Holiday Activities
- West Dean Gardens
- Aug 18, 2026 - Aug 31, 2026
Discover a summer of imagination adventure at West Dean Gardens with our family-friendly Garden…
A Quirky History of St Nicolas
The Normans brought us St Nicolas, but who was he? What are some of the lesser known and interesting…
Decorative Paint Techniques
Join Jonathon Marc Mendes, renowned artist, furniture designer and educator, for a masterclass that…
Mudlarks & Crafts!
Mud, glorious mud – that's what a lot of our wading birds think! But what is in it that attracts…
Knepp Rewilded Walled Garden Tour
- Aug 18, 2026 - Oct 8, 2026
A tour of the Rewilded Walled Garden with one of our specialist guides introduces you to the ethos…
Creative Taster Sessions
- West Dean Gardens
- Aug 22, 2026 - Nov 7, 2026
Follow your curiosity and try something new. There are some things we always mean to try. Picking up…
Rogate Pumpkin Patch Ticket Release
- Aug 18, 2026 - Oct 31, 2026
The Rogate Pumpkin Patch is now in its 12th year. We'll close with our much-loved Pumpkin SMASH!…
Family Summer Holiday Activities
- Aug 18, 2026 - Sep 13, 2026
Discover a summer of art, creativity and outdoor adventure. Enjoy free creative activities designed…
Dream House Tours at Nymans
- Aug 18, 2026 - Oct 30, 2026
Join a tour around the outside of the house at Nymans, looking at the building and seeing how it…
Evening Jazz with Big House
Join us for an evening of fun with live jazz in The Old Workshop with snacks, wine & soft drinks…
To Improvise A Mountain: Lynette Yiadom-Boakye Curates
- De La Warr Pavilion
- Aug 18, 2026 - Sep 13, 2026
This Summer, we are pleased to present To Improvise A Mountain: Lynette Yiadom-Boakye Curates, a…
Art Laughs: Art History’s Funniest Bits with Verity Babbs
What do we miss when we take art too seriously? Some brilliant stories! Join art historian and…
Interpreting Walls - Interpreting the history and architecture of Pevensey
- Aug 21, 2026 - Aug 31, 2026
A walk with Rod, Court House volunteer, starting at the Court House and looking at some of the walls…
Mnda Comedy
An evening of stand up comedy raising vital funds for people living with MND. Acts TBC
Circus Skills Drop-In Workshop
- Aug 18, 2026 - Aug 27, 2026
Brush up your circus skills with instructors from Circus Allstars who'll give guidance and…
Pokémon joins Nymans' Summer of Play
- Aug 18, 2026 - Sep 4, 2026
This summer, your favourite Pokémon just got closer! Summer of Play means you can share the…
80s Night
80s Night with RUBIX 80s.
National League: Worthing vs Wealdstone
Worthing take on Wealdstone in this National League fixture.
Moore / Freud
- Hastings Contemporary
- Aug 18, 2026 - Sep 13, 2026
Moore / Freud will be the first exhibition to explore the distinctive ways in which Henry Moore and…
Walter Sickert: Working Notes
- Aug 18, 2026 - Oct 11, 2026
Discover a fresh perspective on Walter Sickert, one of the most provocative figures in early…
Isthmian League: Three Bridges vs Aveley
Three Bridges take on Aveley in this Premier Division fixture.
The Sussex coastline is Calling
Set your own pace along Sussex’s shore, with carefully crafted routes & itineraries that reveal sweeping views, charming seaside stops and hidden coastal treasures.
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
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.
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.
All about the Sussex Coast
The Sussex coastline stretches 140 miles along the English Channel, bookended by Camber Sands in the east and Chichester Harbour and West Wittering in the west. This stunning coastline is filled with diverse beaches, nature reserves, seaside towns, and opportunities for adventure and relaxation! The area stretching from Worthing to Newhaven and Seaford to the South Downs National Park, is designated as a UNESCO Living Coast Biosphere, covering 700Km2 of rare and unique landscapes.
Discover Sussex stories
Luxury holiday homes in Sussex
- 4 min read
Sometimes the greatest luxury is having the space to slow down. A private hot tub beneath star…
Discover Winnie‑the‑Pooh Inspired Spots Across Sussex
- 5 min read
Winnie-the-Pooh-inspired outings in Sussex In 2026, Winnie-the-Pooh, the warm-hearted and wise…
Explore Sussex Through Channel 5's Jewel of the South Coast
- 4 min read
Explore Sussex Through Channel 5's New Series A new five-part Channel 5 TV series, Sussex…
5 places to keep cool in Sussex this summer
- 5 min read
Your guide to a refreshing ‘cool‑cation’ in Sussex When the temperature rises…
Crossing from Sussex to France: The Newhaven to Dieppe Ferry Guide
- 12 min read
Everything You Need to Know About the Newhaven to Dieppe Ferry The Newhaven to Dieppe ferry crossing…
Cycling the Avenue Verte: Newhaven, Sussex & Beyond
- 15 min read
Newhaven: A Gateway Between Coast & Countryside Arriving into Newhaven from Dieppe in the…
Top 5 Arts festivals in Sussex
- 3 min read
Discover some incredible events in Sussex celebrating the Arts; from world-class Opera at…
How to Celebrate Winnie-the-Pooh’s 100th Birthday in Sussex
- 4 min read
Celebrate Winnie-the-Pooh’s 100th Birthday in Sussex A magical summer in the real Hundred…
Off the Beaten Track: 5 Hidden Food & Drink Spots in West Sussex
- 3 min read
There's something satisfying about finding a place that feels like a reward for getting off the…
Unmissable walks across Sussex
- 3 min read
Sussex is a county of incredible geographic contrast, offering everything from ancient woodland…
English Wine Week 2026 in Sussex
- 8 min read
Sip, sip, hooray! Celebrate English Wine Week in Sussex between Saturday 20 June and Sunday 28 June…
Coastal Hotels in Sussex with Sea Views: Where to Stay by the Sea
- 4 min read
Few things rival waking up to the sound of waves and uninterrupted sea views. Along the Sussex…
48 hours in Eastbourne: how to spend the weekend in England’s sunniest seaside town
- 5 min read
Oh we do like to be beside the seaside, and Eastbourne is the epitome of English coastal nostalgia…
Step into Sussex: Things to Do Near London Gatwick Airport
- 8 min read
Flying into, or out of, London Gatwick Airport? The UK’s second-largest airport is located in…
A Summer to Savour: Seasonal Vineyard Events Across Sussex
- 4 min read
Slow down and savour summer among Sussex’s vineyards If summer is your cue to slow down…
20 things you can only see and do in Sussex
- 9 min read
20 Unforgettable Things You’ll Only Find in Sussex Sussex is a wonderfully distinctive county…
Father’s Day ideas in Sussex: five ideas to treat Dad
- 3 min read
Father’s Day is about spending time together and enjoying experiences that feel thoughtful…
Sussex Guide: Artists Open Studios, Art Trails and Craft events
- 9 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…
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