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A 3-day itinerary for curious explorers who want to experience Sussex as well as Brighton.
There are so many things to do in Sussex that if you planned to spend a week here, you’d easily find something to do every day. And Brighton makes the perfect base from which to go off and explore! Sussex is as vibrant and varied as the people who call it home. A sanctuary for the free-spirited and freethinkers; a haven for artists, writers and rebels. Here, everyone’s greeted with open arms – whoever you are, wherever you’re visiting from. A trip to Sussex will nourish your mind, body and soul – whether you have an appetite for adventure or a thirst for a quieter life.
DURATION: 3 days
IDEAL FOR: Couples · Culture lovers · Foodies · Relaxed travellers
AREAS COVERED: Brighton · Lewes · Horsham
GETTING AROUND: Walking and public transport
BEST SEASON: Year-round.
BUDGET: High-end (£££)
DAY 1 - Vineyards, views and delicious food
Your first day you can relax as the transport has been organised for you, so all you need to do is enjoy strolling around the stunning Sussex countryside before you return for a bird's eye view of the city.
⏰ Approx. 8 hours
Transport included as part of activity
VINEYARDS · INTO SUSSEX
Great British Wine Tours. Starting Point: Leonardo Hotel Brighton, BN1 4DJ
Suggested time: 7 hours
£££ · Booking essential
Did you know that Sussex is home to 138 vineyards? You’d have to be staying a long time to try and visit them all but hop aboard Great British Wine Tour’s vintage Routemaster bus and they’ll escort you to a couple of them. Learn how the vines become wines and best of all you’ll get to sample a glass or two. Cheers!
Find out more about Great British Wine Tours
Brighton Station → Brighton i360
🚶 Walking: 24 mins 🚌 Public Transport: 21 mins View on map ↗
VIEWING TOWER · BEACHFRONT
Brighton i360, Lower King's Road, Brighton, BN1 2LN
Suggested time: 1 hour
££ · Booking advisable
The beautiful county of Sussex is home to cities, coast and countryside but you don’t have to take our word for it. Climb aboard the Brighton i360 and from 138 metres high you’ll see the blue of the sea, the green of the Downs and the rainbows of Brighton.
Find out more about Brighton i360
Brighton i360 → Pearly Cow
🚶 Walking: 3 mins View on map ↗
SUSSEX FOOD · BEACHFRONT
Pearly Cow, 123 Kings Road, Brighton, BN1 2FA
Suggested time: 2 hours
££ · Booking recommened
If the weather is warm, we recommend dining on The Terrace at The Pearly Cow to enjoy views of the West Pier. Although if you dine inside, you’ll adore the rich, warm colours and wherever you sit you’ll love the flavours of locally sourced ingredients including Sussex Wagyu Beef perhaps served with a glass of Ridgeview Sussex Sparkling.
Find out more about Pearly Cow
NIGHT 1 - WHERE TO SLEEP
No. 124 Brighton by GuestHouse, 124 kings Road, Brighton, BN1 2FA
After a delicious taste of Sussex, head upstairs to your bedroom at the stylish No.124 by GuestHouse. There’s no need to worry about carrying your bags all day as the hotel offers a luggage collection service using their branded bicycle so while you’ve been exploring vineyards they will have checked your case in for you, so all you need to do now is relax.
Find out more about 124 Brighton
DAY 2 - Escape the city and get to know lovely Lewes
Your second day takes you away from Brighton and off to the picturesque town of Lewes, home to castle ruins, an art gallery and an independent cinema, bar & restaurant.
⏰ Approx. 8 hours
Public transport will be required.
HISTORIC TOWN · LEWES
Lewes, Sussex, BN7 1XG
Suggested time: 2 hours
Free to explore · Entry fees apply for attractions
This picturesque town is surrounded by the rolling hills of the Downs, but this is only part of its charm. Here you’ll find a 15th century bookshop, castle ruins, Anne of Cleeves House, pretty gardens, the remains of a Priory and plenty of quirky shops, cafes and pubs.
Lewes → Charleston Lewes
🚶 Walking: 3 mins View on map ↗
GALLERY · LEWES
Charleston Lewes, Southover Road, Lewes, BN7 1AB
Suggested time: 1.5 hours
Free entry · Charge applies for some exhibitions
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Lewes is a hub for artists and so it was no surprise that Charleston, former home of the Bloomsbury Group, decided to open a sister venue in this quirky town. The Lewes gallery has a varied programme of unmissable exhibitions with past examples including Grayson Perry, Dorothy Hepworth & Patricia Preece and Picasso.
Find out more about Charleston Lewes
Charleston → Depot Lewes
🚶 Walking: 3 mins View on map ↗
INDEPENDENT · LEWES
Depot, Pinwell Road, Lewes, BN7 2JS
Suggested time: 2 hours
££ · Food & Drink and events
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Depot is an independent cinema, complete with comfy seats, however you don’t need to be watching a film to visit. It’s a great spot for dinner or perhaps a drink on the terrace, there are regular events such as wine tastings and board game nights, plus over the summer there’s festival vibes with live music and street food.
Depot - Staybridge Suites
🚌 Public Transport: 23 mins View on map ↗
NIGHT 2 - WHERE TO SLEEP
Staybridge Suites, 1 Fleet Street, Brighton, BN1 4BF
Return to Brighton and check-in to Staybridge Suites, conveniently located by Brighton Station, you’ll love the ‘home from home’ experience of this aparthotel. After a hectic day sink back into the large, comfy beds and in the morning, you can enjoy a complimentary breakfast to fuel you for another day in stunning Sussex.
Find out more about Staybridge Suites
DAY 3 - Head furter into Sussex for wildlife and a fine dining experience
Say goodbye to Brighton and head to mid-Sussex to experience to beautiful surroundings of Leonardslee House, Lake & Gardens. Make usre you keep your eyes peeled for the albino wallaby!
⏰ Approx. 6 hours
Public transport is required
GARDENS · HORSHAM
Leonardslee, Brighton Road, Horsham, RH13 6PP
Suggested time: 2 hours
££ · Booking advisable
You could easily spend the whole day exploring Leonardslee Lakes and Gardens, so you may want to plan ahead to make sure you include your must-sees. The wallabies are always popular, but we also love the Rock Garden and the Sculpture Park.
Find out more about Leonardslee Gardens
Leonardslee Gardens → Leonardslee Wine Estate
🚌 Public Transport: 25 mins View on map ↗
VINEYARD · HORSHAM
Leonardslee Wine Estate, Hammerpond Road, Horsham, RH13 6PG
Suggested time at location: 1 hour
££ · Booking recommended
Leonardslee has recently expanded and in addition to the gorgeous gardens they now own a vineyard too, in fact this is the UK’s first Golf and Wine Estate so there’s something for everyone. Visitors can either drop in for a Sussex Wine Flight or book one of the guided tours.
Find out more about Leonardslee Wine Estate
Leonardslee Wine Estate → Interlude
🚌 Public Transport: 29 mins View on map ↗
FINE DINING · LEONARDSLEE
Restaurant Interlude, Brighton Road, Horsham, RH13 6PP
Suggested time: 3 hours
£££ · Booking required
Interlude is the restaurant at Leonardslee and is a gourmet treat. The 18 and 21 course tasting menus are inspired by the Grade I Listed woodland gardens, with ingredients either foraged or grown on the 240-acre Leonardslee estate.
Find out more about Interlude Restaurant
NIGHT 3 - WHERE TO SLEEP
Leonardslee House, Brighton Road, Horsham, RH13 6PP
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No one wants to travel far after an indulgent meal so we recommend a final night in Sussex staying in one of the bespoke rooms at Leonardslee House. All rooms feature either a King or Super King-sized bed as well as rainfall showers.
Find out more about Leonardslee House Hotel
Planning your trip - FAQs
Do we need a car to explore Sussex from Brighton, or is public transport enough?
Brighton itself is easy to get around without a car, but a car does open up more of the surrounding Sussex countryside, particularly smaller villages and more remote parts of the South Downs. That said, many popular day-trip destinations, such as Lewes or Arundel, are well served by train, so it's entirely possible to plan a car-free itinerary if you'd rather not drive.
What's a good mix of activities for 3 nights covering both the city and the countryside?
A popular structure is one day exploring Brighton's main sights, one day dedicated to a South Downs walk or a visit to a Sussex town like Lewes, and a final day left flexible, whether that's more time in Brighton, a coastal walk, or revisiting a favourite spot at a slower pace. This balance means you get a proper taste of both the city and the countryside without either feeling rushed.
Is this itinerary suitable if we don't want to move accommodation during the stay?
Yes, Brighton makes a practical base for the whole three nights, with plenty of day-trip options across Sussex within an hour or so of the city. This avoids the hassle of packing up partway through and gives you a consistent base to return to each evening.
What time of year is best for combining Brighton with the Sussex countryside?
Spring through early autumn tends to suit this itinerary best, since the South Downs and surrounding countryside are at their most walkable and scenic during these months. Brighton itself remains enjoyable year-round, so a visit outside these months still works well if the focus leans more towards the city than the countryside.
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Good to know: This itinerary was reviewed on 14 July 2026. Opening times, ticket availability and seasonal programming can change, so please check individual venue websites before you go.
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