Things To Do in Sussex

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With 140 miles of coastline and acres of countryside, there are thousands of things to do in a visit to Sussex, whether you're a thrill-seeker, a shopaholic, a nature lover or a foodie - and since you're never more than an hour from London, the capital's delights can play a part in your stay here.

Places to visit in Sussex

Sussex is filled with the beautiful South Downs National Park, the High Weald and Chichester Harbour, Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty (ANOB). The whole of Sussex's countryside is a joy to behold, rich with elegant stately homes, fairy-tale castles, colourful gardens and cultural connections. The county links coast and countryside, East Sussex and West Sussex smoothly together.

Get up close and personal with Hastings’ smugglers, Eastbourne's adrenaline junkies, Arundel's antiques, Worthing's natural playground, Chichester's Roman history and Brighton's gastronomy. Discover more about the county's towns and villages using our interactive map of Sussex.

Top 10 things to do in Sussex

Royal Pavilion, Brighton
Drusillas Park, Wealden
1066 Battle Abbey and Battlefield, Battle
Kew's Wakehurst, Haywards Heath
Fishers Adventure Farm Park, Billingshurst
Arundel Castle, Arundel
Pallant House Gallery, Chichester
Petworth House & Park, West Sussex
Chichester Cathedral, Chichester
Brighton i360, Brighton

Things to do in Sussex this weekend

Explore more than 200 of Sussex's tourist attractions - many of which are open all year round, so find something to do today with listings for attractions each showing a map and opening times for your convenience. Or why not browse our events guide to find out what's on in Sussex today or this week in the east and west of the county.

Drusillas Park in East Sussex is widely regarded as the best small zoo in Europe. However, animals are only half the fun; visitors can also explore the large adventure play areas and meet their TV heroes!

The Sussex Guild Shop & Gallery, Lewes is great for those looking for a gift or chance to explore the work of local professional designers. Home to over 100 members, it is located in the imposing Elizabethan house, the Southover Grange.

Visit Arundel with its thousands of years of history, independent shops, art galleries and restaurants. Wander the cobbled streets, explore the riverside or head off road to the South Downs for countryside walks and cycling.

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Accommodation

A day out in Sussex can easily be extended to two, three or more days, and luckily Sussex offers an array of hotels, inns, B&Bs and other accommodation that will not only help you extend your stay but enhance it.

List of things to do & places to visit for days out in Sussex

For more information about Sussex, including ideas for days out, attractions and events, view the list below for information on things to do and towns and villages within the county. Use the 'map view' button to find something near you.

Number of results:

Number of results: 254

, currently showing 1 to 20.

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Drusillas Park

Type

Type:

Animal Collection / Zoo

Alfriston

Make WILD memories and enjoy a great family day out at the award-winning Drusillas Park. Drusillas offers a loving home to over one hundred exotic animals, including sloths and penguins!
Rottingdean

Type

Type:

Towns & Villages

Brighton & Hove

Rottingdean is an ideal place to spend an afternoon browsing the shops and galleries, relaxing in Rudyard Kipling's gardens or taking tea in a traditional English tearoom.
East Dean & Friston

Type

Type:

Towns & Villages

Eastbourne

East Dean & Friston villages, including the smaller hamlets of Birling Gap and Crowlink, are situated within the South Downs National Park on the dramatic and beautiful coastline of Beachy Head and the Seven Sisters
Ardingly

Type

Type:

Towns & Villages

Ardingly is a parish of attractive wooded scenery in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. The village sign was erected as a memorial to Viscountess Wolseley, and marks the site of the original tollgate.
Bexhill Museum

Type

Type:

Museum

Bexhill-on-Sea

A friendly, local museum with a surprising variety of displays spread over three galleries, lillustrating the geology, natural and local history and archaeology of the area.
The Barn Coffee Shop and Restaurant at South Downs Heritage Centre

Type

Type:

Café

Hassocks

The Barn Coffee Shop and Restaurant at South Downs Heritage Centre
Twineham

Type

Type:

Towns & Villages

Twineham lies in the Adur valley with several attractive houses, including Twineham Place Farm dating from 1620. St Peter's Church is early Tudor, made of mellow red brick with a Horsham slate roof. There are covered pews, a gallery under the tower,
Herstmonceux Castle Estate

Type

Type:

Garden

Hailsham

Herstmonceux is renowned for its magnificent moated castle, set in 550 acres of glorious parkland and superb Elizabethan gardens.
Rodmell

Type

Type:

Village

Lewes

Rodmell is a small, quiet and charming village nestling in some of the finest scenery of the South Downs. It lies in the lower valley of the Ouse some four miles south of Lewes, the County Town of East Sussex, and a similar distance north of the…
Bognor Regis East Beach

Type

Type:

Beach

Bognor Regis

Bognor Regis East Beach is the most popular beach in Bognor Regis due to its close proximity to the town centre as well as the Foreshore Office and the food and drink stands on the promenade.
Paradise Park

Type

Type:

Theme Park

Newhaven

From plants to play, Paradise Park has something for all generations of the family to enjoy a unique and exciting day out. Visit Planet Earth Museum, Sussex Plant House, Sussex History Trail, themed gardens and extensive indoor and outdoor play…
Devonshire Park Tennis

Type

Type:

Sports Ground

Eastbourne

Eastbourne’s oldest park probably dating from around 1873 or 1874 when the Devonshire Park Company was set up
Pelham Beach

Type

Type:

Beach

Hastings

Hastings' main beach backs right onto the seafront of this established seaside resort town so you are never far away from the town's facilities and attractions.
Devonshire Park Theatre

Type

Type:

Theatre

Eastbourne

The Devonshire Park Theatre is a Grade II listed building designed by Henry Currey, built in 1884 and further improved by celebrated Theatre Architect Frank Matcham in 1903.
The theatre has a seating capacity of 936.
Ansty

Type

Type:

Towns & Villages

Ansty is a small settlement about four miles from Haywards Heath. Its village sign, situated at the Ansty Cross was painted by the renowned local artist James Forsyth.
Littlehampton

Type

Type:

Town

Home to superb sandy beaches, a bustling marina & harbour and stunning contemporary architecture, there are many things to do in the town of Littlehampton
The Cat Inn

Type

Type:

Pub/Inn

East Grinstead

The Cat Inn is a 16th century free house set in the picturesque village of West Hoathly, a hilltop village set in the heart of the Sussex countryside. It is in within easy distance from the towns of East Grinstead and Haywards Heath.
Chichester

Type

Type:

Cities

Chichester

A charming stylish city, Chichester combines all the things to do of a thriving urban centre with the remains of Roman streets, walls and gateways and the rural delights of nearby towns & villages in West Sussex
Handcross

Type

Type:

Towns & Villages

Handcross, is a Victorian village close to the A23 main London to Brighton road. Nearby are the 30 acres of Nymans Gardens run by the National Trust, as well as the 20 acres of woodland and water gardens at The High Beeches.
Forest Row

Type

Type:

Towns & Villages

Forest Row

Forest Row is at the northern tip of both East Sussex County Council and Wealden District Council. The outlying areas of the parish border three other counties - West Sussex, Surrey and Kent.