Things to do in Sussex

There’s so many things to do in Sussex, in both the East and West, that if you planned to spend a week here, you’d easily find something to do every day. And Brighton & Hove makes the perfect base from which to go off and explore!

From the fabulous sandy beaches of the Witterings in the West to Camber Sands in the East, Sussex takes up a large swathe of southern England consisting of beaches, cliffs, countryside, cities, towns and villages, tourist attractions and natural beauty spots.

Map of Sussex

Within 20 minutes of Brighton by public transport…

You can visit the picturesque market town of Lewes with its medieval castle, lively shops, restaurants, antique centres and open air swimming pool. You can also reach Devil’s Dyke in the South Downs National Park, where paragliders hover over panoramic views of the Sussex countryside. Or you could visit bluebell woods in Stanmer Park, visit pretty Stanmer Village, and buy some local produce while having a bite to eat at One Garden.

A little further afield…

Heading east, the pretty villages of Firle, Alfriston, Litlington and Lullington all lie within 20 miles of Brighton – as do the famous Glyndebourne opera house and the family-friendly Middle Farm with its abundant farm shop. Within a stone’s throw of Alfriston you can also find the English Wine Centre, Drusilla’s Zoo and the stunningly scenic Seven Sisters Country Park, Cuckmere Valley and Birling Gap.

If a bottle of bubbly is a must on your holidays, then Sussex is a bit easier to reach than the Champagne region of France, and is home to some award-winning, internationally respected sparkling wines. Bolney Wine Estate, Albourne and Ridgeview are just a few of the many vineyards scattered across the region where you can do tours, wine-tasting and in some cases, dine too.

Nature lovers can visit Pulborough Brooks Nature Reserve, Arundel Wetland Centre, Mills Wood or Rye Harbour Nature Reserve, where you can learn about the local flora and fauna. And if you want to learn about the wonders of rewilding, then be sure to visit the Knepp Estate, where its famous Wildland Project has attracted scientists’ attention all over the world – as well as pairs of white storks, who have returned to breed for the first time in over 600 years. Another Sussex must-see is Wakehurst, a country estate and botanic gardens owned by the National Trust and managed by Kew Gardens. Wakehurst is also home to the world’s largest conservation project at the Millennium Seed Bank, where you can watch scientists at work preserving seeds that are stored in sub-zero temperatures in bomb- and flood-proof chambers below ground.

Love science and history? Get a fix of both by visiting 15^th Century Herstmonceux Castle and its nextdoor neighbour, The Observatory Science Centre, all in the same day. Or take a ride through stunning countryside and history on the old Bluebell Railway, where you’ll meet staff dressed in period costume at stations lost in time.

This is just a mere summary of what you can find right on Brighton’s doorstep. But there is much, much more to discover, whatever your interests.

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Inspiration

Depot

Nestled in the heart of Lewes and the South Downs National Park, Depot is a contemporary independent three-screen cinema and stylish café-restaurant with gardens and terrace. Just next door to Lewes train station, Depot is easily accessible from Brighton, Glynde, Eastbourne, Seaford and even London.
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Distilleries & Vineyards
Wiston Estate

The family-run Wiston Estate offers a variety of tours from their winery, where guests can learn about the wine production, taste the award-winning wines, or enjoy the Landscape and Nature tours that take in the wider estate. Their Chalk Restaurant serves up seasonal and locally sourced dishes in the beautiful setting of a refurbished barn which also boasts a suntrap courtyard for alfresco dining.
South Downs National Park
The Living Coast