Sussex may be a historic county but it’s also a great place for activities and adventure So, if you’re looking for things to do in Sussex this summer, try one of these 25 suggestions:
1. Visit a vineyard
With over 130 vineyards in Sussex, many of which host a variety of tours, tastings and experiences, a vineyard visit is a must. There are quite a few big names in the Sussex winelands scene including Rathfinny, Tinwood, Ridgeview, Bolney, and Wiston but don’t miss out on the smaller Sussex vineyards too.
2 Clamber around a castle
Sussex is a county with a long history and perhaps unsurprisingly, there are 12 castles you can visit and explore. From the rambling ruins of Bramber and Hastings, to the magnificent library and great halls of Arundel, and afternoon tea at Amberley, take your pick of how you want to step back in time.
3. Enjoy Sussex art galleries
Sussex is a great place for the culture vultures with a number of first-class contemporary galleries and lots of smaller but equally good artistic venues. From Hastings Modern and the De La Warr Pavilion (Bexhill), make your way along the coast, stopping at the Towner in Eastbourne, heading up to Lewes (stop at Charleston in Lewes and the Chalk Gallery) and carrying on via Worthing’s Montague Gallery and on to Chichester and Pallant House Gallery.
4. Climb the Brighton i360
If you don’t know it, the i360 is a 138-metre-high tower with a viewing pond that ascends to the top with 360 views of the surrounding area. They offer all sorts of different experiences and you can walk around the top of the tour and even abseil off if you fancy it!
5. Explore a National Trust property
There are a number of different National Trust properties spread across the county with different things going on. From the literary focus of Lamb House in Rye and Batemans at Burwash to the lambs at Saddlescombe and great works of art at Petworth.
6. Walk at Beachy Head
Beachy Head is one of the most iconic of all Sussex landmarks. You can walk there from Eastbourne or park near the Visitor Centre. From there and at low tide, you can access the beach to get a bit nearer to the distinctive red and white lighthouse or just explore the top of the Downs and surrounding area.
7. Re-discover the Royal Pavilion
It doesn’t matter whether you’ve visited before, or are a first-timer, Brighton’s exotic and extraordinary Royal Pavilion is always worth a visit. Built between 1787 and 1823, its domes and minarets hint at the opulence within. These days it’s part of Brighton and Hove Museums and there is always something interesting going on. But you might just enjoy exploring the luxurious rooms … oh, and don’t forget to look up at the ceilings.
8. Stare at the stars at the Observatory
The Observatory Science Centre at Herstmoncuex is an interactive science and discovery centre with the domes and telescopes of a world-famous astronomical observatory. They have an ongoing programme of events and it’s right next door to Herstmonceux Castle which combined, makes for a really good day out.
9. Go wild at a festival
Sussex is home to lots of different festivals, particularly in the summer months. From Jack in the Green in Hastings and Brighton Fringe in early May to Worthing Festival of Arts and Culture (June), the Bognor Kite Festival (August), South Downs Folk Festival (September) and the Love Supreme Festival (July), there is so much to choose from…and that’s before we get started on the food and wine festivals.
10. Zip down a zip wire
Enjoy the thrill of high wire adventure with a zip wire experience. Head to Halland for Branching Out Adventures in East Sussex where they have a 140 metre zip wire through the trees or go urban with the longest zip wire on the south coast, right on the seafront in Brighton!
11. Hunt for Winnie the Pooh
A Sussex icon, you can find clues to the notorious bear on Ashdown Forest at some of his famous haunts (like Pooh Bridge or the North Pole) or in Hartfield at Pooh Corner.
12. Get off the beaten track on the South Downs
Whether you want to walk or cycle the South Downs Way from Winchester to Eastbourne, fly across the South Downs in a hot air balloon or just get up on the Downs to enjoy the many amazing views, Sussex is blessed to have the most amazing National Park which is free to enjoy and explore.
13. Meet William the Conqueror and discover 1066 Country
The Norman invasion was a defining moment in Sussex and English history and changed our architecture and culture for centuries to come. And it all happened right here in Sussex. So, whether you want to walk the 1066 Country Trail, visit the actual battlefield of 1066 at Battle Abbey or the landing site at Pevensey, there is plenty to discover in East Sussex.
14. Follow in the footsteps of the Bloomsbury Set
The Bloomsbury Set was a group of artists, writers and intellectuals that included Virginia Woolf and her sister Vanessa Bell, Clive Bell, Leonard Woolf, E. M. Forster, John Maynard Keynes, Duncan Grant and Roger Fry. Originally based in Bloomsbury, a number of them eventually made their home in Sussex including Vanessa Bell and her lover Duncan Grant at Charleston near Lewes and Virginia and Leonard Wolf at Rodmell. You can visit their homes, as well as other places in Sussex where they left their mark like the church at Berwick.
15. Grab a towel and head to the beach
Sussex has 225 km of coast from Chichester Harbour in the west to Camber Sands and a total of 50 Sussex beaches (27 beaches in West Sussex and 23 in East Sussex). A mixture of sand and shingle, there are dog-friendly sections, dog-free sections, town sections with lifeguards and ice cream huts and remote sections, meaning whatever your perfect day at the beach looks like, you should be able to find it in Sussex. Alternatively, you can walk a section of the King Charles III England Coast Path all the way from Thorney Island to Eastbourne.
16. Travel the old-fashioned way
There are a couple of vintage railway lines in Sussex where you can travel in style through the Sussex countryside. The Bluebell Railway near Sheffield Park has an 1880s-style station as well as a museum or head over to Northiam and catch a ride on a Kent & Sussex Railway classic.
17. Paddleboarding down the waterways
Paddleboarding is a fantastic way to explore Sussex at a slower pace and there are so many beautiful places where you can take to the water. Try Barcombe Mills (for lunch at the pub too), Cuckmere Haven for a meandering waterway or in West Sussex, head to the River Arun near Pulborough or Chichester Canal.
18. Soar above Sussex
If you’re brave enough, the South Downs provide the perfect place to try paragliding. Just imagine floating serenely through the sky with views of the whole county below you and only the sound of the wind to keep you company.
19. Friends and family can head to the farm or zoo
Drusillas Park near Berwick is a fabulous family zoo where you’ll find an amazing number of animals. Think camels, monkeys, penguins, red pandas, lemurs, sloths and lots more. And if the family need more action, try Fishers Farm near Billingshurst, Washbrooks Family Farm near Hurstpierpoint, Blackberry Farm near Lewes or Tulleys Farm near Turners Hill.
20. Go ghost hunting
Head to Brighton for a Ghost Walk Tour of the Lanes or to Rye, for the Town Crier’s Ghost Walk of Rye. In West Sussex, for all things ghostly, try the Theatre of Dark Encounters in Chichester or just visit some of the allegedly haunted sites like Kingley Vale or Racton Ruin.
21. Visit a museum
Almost every Sussex town and many of the villages have their own museum and some of the larger towns or cities, like Brighton and Hastings have more than one. Lots of the Sussex museums are free and you can find a variety of types of museums, like fishing museums, shipwreck museums, toy museums, Roman museums and natural museums, as well as general museums. And some of them are in unusual buildings too, like the Seaford Museum in a Martello Tower.
22. Have a day at the races
Sussex has racecourses at Brighton, Plumpton, Fontwell and Goodwood. Goodwood Racecourse is in the heart of the South Downs and Brighton Racecourse has amazing views but they all have a great annual fixture list and are well worth a day out!
23. Hang out on a pier
Sussex has piers in Hastings, Worthing, Brighton, Eastbourne and Hastings so grab a bag of coins and head to the slot machines, for an afternoon of games, rides, candyfloss and maybe even some Brighton Rock.
24. Sail away from it all
There are a number of places where you can sail away from it all. From sleepy canal barges at Loxwood or Chichester, to canoes and row boats at Pulborough and Barcombe to speed boats and a trip to the Rampion Windfarm. If you love being out on the water, head to Sussex.
25. Learn about the land at an agricultural show
An agricultural show is a great way to learn about the land and both the old and the new ways of working it. The South of England Show runs over three days at Ardingly Showground in June and also has local arts and crafts, great local produce, horse and dog events and lots more. Heathfield also hosts an annual agricultural show in May.
If you’ve enjoyed this post about things to do in Sussex, you may also like:
