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!
Discover Sussex Vineyards in 2026
Sussex Winelands
Sussex wine is celebrated for its quality and variety, particularly its…
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
Mudlarks & crafts!
Mud, glorious mud – that's what a lot of our wading birds think! But what is in it that attracts…
Arun yacht club Real Ale and Cider festival
- May 22, 2026 - May 24, 2026
Arun Yacht Club Real Ale & Cider Festival 2026 Join us for a fantastic weekend of beer, food…
We Will Rock You
- May 20, 2026 - May 22, 2026
Haywards Heath College proudly presents our amateur production of Queen and Ben Eltonsworldwide hit…
Backstage Tours
- Chichester Festival Theatre
- May 20, 2026 - Oct 17, 2026
Our 75-minute guided tour is a brilliant way to explore how theatre is made! Discover our backstage…
Ropetackle Comedy Club
- Ropetackle Arts Centre
- May 21, 2026 - Nov 19, 2026
Shoreham’s funniest night out is back – and we’ve handpicked SIX of the very best comics on the…
Elmer and Friends: The Colourful World of David McKee
- May 20, 2026 - Sep 13, 2026
Elmer and Friends: The Colourful World of David McKee. Celebrate and explore David McKee's…
Bassekou Kouyate & Amy Sacko
From Mali, legendary musician and ngoni master Bassekou Kouyate tours with his wife, the revered…
Wild and Wonderful Sculpture: Alison Catchlove
- May 20, 2026 - May 31, 2026
An exhibition of flora and fauna metal sculptures which explores the intricate relationship between…
Race Meeting
Afternoon Jump Racing. Check venue for exact opening and race times.
Sneak Peek Tours at Nymans
- May 20, 2026 - Oct 30, 2026
Take a behind the scenes look inside the house on a sneak peek tour. Tours last approximately 30…
Fleetwood Mac Tribute
Get ready for an unforgettable night of legendary hits as our Fleetwood Mac tribute band brings the…
ELO Tribute Show
The ELO Encounter recreate the sound of the Electric Light Orchestra, a symphonic force majeure and…
Mystery Mission
- May 23, 2026 - May 31, 2026
A top-secret message has gone missing at Battle Abbey – and we need you to find it before it falls…
Toploader
Since forming in 1997 Toploader have over two million album sales to their name and a string of top…
Rainbow Voices - Pre-Pride Fundraiser
Join our Rainbow Voices for a musical celebration to help raise funds for Chichester Pride 2026!…
Spring Walk with our Head Gardener
Leonardslee Lakes & Gardens is famous for its display of spring colour and our recently…
Little Crafters
- Leonardslee Lakes and Gardens
- May 24, 2026 - Sep 28, 2026
Let your little ones get stuck into this fun and creative crafting session for 18 months - 4 year…
Football for adults with a learning disability - Bognor
- May 22, 2026 - Jun 5, 2026
A coach led session for adults with a learning disability and / or autism. Come along to meet new…
Half Term Nature Explorers
- May 20, 2026 - Jun 28, 2026
This half term, become a nature explorer at Standen. Create a nature journal of your own with…
Wolf Boy!
Join us this summer for a unique open-air theatre experience that brings you and your children on a…
Shhh...
- May 20, 2026 - May 31, 2026
Shhh… explores how autonomy and intimacy coexist, how two distinct practices can resonate without…
Sussex Tree Festival
- May 23, 2026 - Jun 4, 2026
The Tree Festival – a celebration of trees in Sussex – is back! This year's festival includes…
Storytime at Nyman's with Author Jane Riordan
Celebrate 100 years of Winnie-the-Pooh and friends and join Jane Riordan to go on an adventure to…
Hannah Wicklund
Fast-rising American singer Hannah Wicklund develops her art into a psych-rock trip.
Beer Festival
- May 22, 2026 - May 23, 2026
Once again, there will be a great selection of cask and keg beers, as well as a dedicated Cider Bar…
Let There Be Love
- May 20, 2026 - Oct 14, 2026
The Royal Hippodromes much loved Summer Season makes its welcome return this year with a celebration…
Lewes Ghost Walk
- May 22, 2026 - Jul 24, 2026
A 90 minute Guided Walk through Lewes introducing you to some of the darker stories from the Towns…
Newhaven Art Club 70th Anniversary Platinum Palette Exhibition
- May 20, 2026 - May 24, 2026
Newhaven Art Club proudly presents our 70th Anniversary Platinum Palette Exhibition. Celebrate 70…
Eastbourne Carnival
The biggest Seafront Carnival in the South East will return this year. More than 1,500 walkers are…
Knepp Rewilded Walled Garden Tour
- May 20, 2026 - Oct 8, 2026
A tour of the Rewilded Walled Garden with one of our specialist guides introduces you to the ethos…
Volunteer training
Training sessions for Seaford Museum volunteers.
Eastbourne G&S: The Mikado
- May 22, 2026 - May 24, 2026
Expect all the Mikado wit and music you love, but with a Scottish twist! As one of Gilbert…
Jazz Breakfast at Kino - Mike Hatchard: The OWL, the PUSSYCAT, ALICE and ALL THAT JAZZ
Mike Hatchard invites three of the best musicians known to him for another of his legendary Jazz…
Make a Dream Catcher
Get creative in the Orchard Tent! Our family workshops are designed for sparkling imaginations and…
Industrial Landscape Painting
- May 23, 2026 - May 24, 2026
A weekend exploring contemporary painting approaches to place and space. We start the weekend…
Dream House Tours at Nymans
- May 20, 2026 - Oct 30, 2026
Join a tour around the outside of the house at Nymans, looking at the building and seeing how it…
A Dangerous Novelty? The Age of Electricity at Standen
- May 20, 2026 - Jun 21, 2026
This new exhibition tells the story of Standen as one of the first country houses to be designed…
Diesel Gala
- May 23, 2026 - May 25, 2026
Come along to our bank holiday diesel gala at Bentley Miniature Railway! Take a ride on the trains…
Alkanna Graeca and Max Baillie
Alkanna Graeca is a vocal trio blending raw folk traditions from the Balkans, Mediterranean and…
Summer Programme
- May 20, 2026 - Nov 1, 2026
Our Summer Programme unfolds through earthworks, sculpture, tapestry, ceramics and large-scale…
May at Go Ape
- Go Ape Crawley
- May 23, 2026 - May 31, 2026
Looking for things to do this May half term in Sussex? Escape the ordinary and head to Go Ape…
Jeremy Hutchinson Memorial Lecture: Impunity
In an era marked by conflict and civilian suffering, how robust are international law and…
Birdsong Identification
Take an early morning amble through the spring woods to discover and learn some birdsongs. Sarah…
Junior Musician of the Year
Tickets available here for our Junior Musician of the Year concert. This is our annual competition…
Pixies & Pirates May Half Term
- May 23, 2026 - May 31, 2026
Set sail for the Aldingbourne Country Centre, for a fun half term for pre-schoolers and primary-aged…
Secrets of the Sheela Na Gig: Storytelling and Clay-making Workshop
"When my mother died, I immersed myself in two things: the Greek myth of Ceres and Kore and old…
Generation Why
As seen on HBO & BBC, Dian Cathal brings you a new comedy hour about the best and worst of the…
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.
Enjoy a taste of our vineyards...
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
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…
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…
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