Here are 20 of the prettiest and best Sussex villages to explore.
Sussex, England, is full of rolling hills, lush countryside, and a fantastic coastline. You can find some of the most beautiful villages in the entire country here. Here are our picks:
(NB We may have cheated a little and included a couple of small towns).
1. Ditchling
In a corner of East Sussex lies Ditchling. Ditchling has many well-tended walking and cycling routes. Visitors can grab a beer at The Bull, voted Great British Pub of the Year (2016).
There are also two cafes, the Nutmeg Tree and the Green Welly, serving up the best Sussex produce.
2. Rye
Charming Rye is near southeast Sussex and used to be one of England’s most important ports.
Visitors are spoilt for choice with cafes and pubs lining the streets. Step in for an enchanting time at The Mermaid Inn, or sip beers at the 300-year-old Rye Waterworks Micropub.
3. Rottingdean
Rottingdean sits on the outskirts of the south coast. A former farming community, some famous locals include the author Rudyard Kipling.
This Sussex village is known for its views of the South Downs and the English Channel. The Plough Inn right by the village pond is where you’ll want to kick back and relax.
4. Herstmonceux
Herstmonceux is in East Sussex. A residential district, many visitors come and stay after looking at the beautiful detached houses.
The Brewers’ Arm is the place for an intimate gathering for food and drinks. It’s Trip Adviser’s Traveller’s choice(2020).
5. Bolney
Located in West Sussex lies Bolney. This village has some of the oldest, most beautiful vineyards in England.
In the middle of the village is Bolney Wine Estate, a vineyard with 2000 years of history. Do visit Bolney Stage for fine food and beer in a stately mansion with a spacious courtyard.
6. Newick
Newick is located in East Sussex. This quiet countryside location is the perfect spot for relaxation.
There are three pubs in the village: The Crown Inn, The Royal Oak, and The Bull Inn. Apparently, famous broadcaster Piers Morgan is frequently seen in the Royal Oak pub.
7. Steyning
Steyning is in West Sussex. It is reputed to be one of the most picturesque Sussex villages. Timber-framed buildings line the ancient High Street and Cobblestone Walk, with plenty of pubs, cafes and boutique shops.
Some of the pubs here are the Star Inn, which serves traditional English food and real ale, or head to The Fountain, a former farmhouse.
8. Amberley
Amberley in West Sussex has its own castle, used chiefly for events now. Another attraction is the chalk pit museum.
Amberly is set right on the River Arun, which flows pasts its rustic brickwork and thatched houses making it one of the prettiest and best Sussex villages.
9. Telscombe
Telscombe is in East Sussex.
The population lives on Telscombe Cliffs, and that’s where you’ll find its fantastic pubs. Head to The Smuggler’s Rest for a beer and the sunset view, or check out The Tavern Telscombe Cliff, amongst others.
10. Alfriston
Alfriston has a reputation for being one of the most picturesque villages in England. Famous hotelier Olga Polizzi opened the hotel The Star , in here, wowed by the village.
There is an eclectic mix of traditional and modern pubs, cafes and shops. These include The George Inn, located in the middle of the village, and the colonial-style Wingrove House with a candlelit bar, great for romantic dinners.
11. Mayfield
Mayfield is located in East Sussex, England. A quintessential village, it still preserves many historic buildings with beautiful Tudor architecture.
The Middle House pub is one of them; the owners converted it from a house to a restaurant. Mayfield won the 2017 Village of the Year award.
12. Bosham
Nestled in West Sussex lies coastal settlement Bosham. With its waterways and quayside passages, this place has been compared to Venice.
In here, you can drop by The Bosham Inn, which overlooks the Chichester Harbour, for a pint of beer, or go to the Anchor Blue, which is a family-run harborside pub.
13. Kingston
Kingston is an East Sussex village with fewer than 1000 inhabitants. There is a church and a school there, and its houses fetch a high value because of the seaside location.
You can check out ‘The Juggs’, a pub that stretches over two courtyards serving food and beer.
14. Litlington
Litlington in East Sussex is tiny and sparsely populated with photogenic beaches called Cuckmere Haven and Seven Sisters.
The village has a brewery, tea gardens, a gemstone store, and the Plough and Harrow, a country pub dating back to the 17th century.
Nearby is tourists’ favourite, Litlington White Horse, a white horse carved into the side of Hindover Hill.
15. Fulking
Fulking is in West Sussex. Many visit the idyllic town to relax, and it is also a pit stop for visitors of dry valley Devil’s Dike, voted as ‘the grandest view’ in the world.
The buildings with flint walls and cobblestones lend it a mysterious air, but you can get a friendly welcome at the Shepherd and Dog.
16. East Hoathly
East Hoathly is an East Sussex village housing a beautiful conservation area with shops and pubs. Kings Head is a recommended visit, garnering positive reviews for its food and service.
The Weald Way runs through the village, giving people the opportunity to escape into the countryside. If you visit in November, the annual bonfire brings the town to life.
17. Cuckfield
Cuckfield village is in West Sussex with its own mayoral elections. Beautiful shops line its main streets, side by side with 11th-century traditional buildings.
The Wheatsheaf Inn and Hotel housed in a 19th-century building is one example. You can enjoy British grub there or travel to the Talbot. Borde Hill, considered one of the finest gardens in Sussex, is a mile away.
18. Arundel
The market town of Arundel in West Sussex is probably most well known for two landmarks – Arundel Castle and Arundel Cathedral. The 11th-century castle is England’s second-largest castle and overlooks the River Arun.
When you’re hungry from walking, drop by The Black Rabbit. Or if you like live music, then the Red Lion is the place to go.
19. Firle
The historic village of Firle in East Sussex sits beneath Firle Beacon. The village boasts traditional pubs, a farm shop, and Firle Place manor house.
Firle Place displays a collection of paintings and furniture. You can get a beer at The Ram Inn, located in the heart of the village with a seafront facing courtyard. Firle is also near the world-famous Glyndebourne Opera House.
20. Friston
Nestled in East Sussex is Friston. The location is so secluded that you can’t view the entire village on Google Map, and its privacy draws the rich and the famous.
Apart from that, you can enjoy panoramic views of the rolling hills and the seas. The village is also near Birling Gap and the Seven Sisters cliff.
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