Sussex is one of the best counties in England. But we would say that. So, if you want to know more, are thinking of visiting or are wondering why we say Sussex is the best county in England, here is our complete guide to Sussex.
Quick facts about Sussex
Here are some essential facts about Sussex:
- Susssex covers approximately 3,783 square kilometres and has about 200 kilometres of coast.
- There are two cities in Sussex, Chichester in West Sussex and Brighton & Hove in East Sussex.
- The highest point in Sussex is Blackdown with a summit elevation of just shy of 280 metres.
- There are over 130 vineyards in Sussex and the county has PDO status.
- Historical sites in Sussex include Bronze, Stone & Iron Age forts and settlements, Roman villas, Norman castles, abbeys and cathedrals and a Regency palace.
- Famous people (and bears) who have lived in Sussex include Rag’n Bone Man, Holly Willoughby, Dame Vera Lynn, Romesh Ranganathan, Sir Paul McCartney, Eddie Izzard, Spike Milligan, Winnie the Pooh, Tom Baker, Kate Winslet and Dame Julie Walters to name but a few.
What makes Sussex special?
What makes Sussex special is the incredible diversity it offers packed into quite a compact area. There is the fantastic Sussex coastline with sandy beaches and dramatic cliffs combined with the open spaces and great walks of the rolling South Downs. On top of all that there are some great days out in Sussex, it has interesting history and award winning vineyards. All within easy reach of London and Gatwick.
Where is Sussex?
Sussex is on the south of England in the south east about an hour south of London. It is bordered by the counties of Hampshire, Surrey and Kent.
What is Sussex famous for?
Sussex is famous for quite a few things. Top of the list is probably the Battle of Hastings in 1066 and the South Downs. In addition, Sussex is also famous for its vineyards and being the centre of UK wine production as well as for the many creatives who have lived in the county.
A brief history of Sussex
You can trace the history of Sussex back to the dinosaur period, with dinosaur footprints on the beach in places like Bexhill and dinosaur bones found across the county. Sussex was populated during the Neolithic period and there are a number of Stone, Bronze, and Iron Age sites in the county.
Then came the Romans, putting down roots in Chichester, Bignor and at Pevensey and building roads, before the Saxons arrived and the Vikings invaded. Pivotal to Sussex history was the Norman invasion and conquest of 1066 and later, the Battle of Lewes in 1264 and later still, the Dissolution of the Monastries by Henry VIII.
Sussex slowly developed into a centre of the iron industry but also of religious unrest wth the persecution of the “Sussex Martyrs”. From worrying about French invasion, to catching smugglers, by the 20th century, Sussex was in a strategic position for both WWI and WWII, and all of these events have shaped the landscape, culture and people of Sussex.
The best places to visit in Sussex
For the best places to visit in Sussex, you should combine the iconic and well known places with some of the more off the beaten track and hidden gems.
The most beautiful Sussex towns and villages
There are so many pretty villages and towns in Sussex but here are a few of the best:
- Rye. Famous for its cobbled streets, the iconic Mermaid Inn and tales of smugglers
- Alfriston. Regulary voted one of the prettiest villages in England
- Battle. The historic epicentre of Sussex and home to Battle Abbey and the Battle of Hastings
- East Dean. Picture postcard pretty with flintstone cottages around the green
- Robertsbridge. A 13th century market down rich in historic architecture
- Mayfield. A gorgeously pretty and historic high street which comes with an interesting legend
- Lewes. Think cobbled streets, a Medieval castle and riverside walks
- Arundel. A medieval market town with a magnificent castle
- Petworth. Hopelessly pretty with more cobbled streets and an incredible mansion and deer park
- Chichester. Enclosed within a Roman wall and home to an incredible Norman cathedral
- Steyning. Enjoy a pretty high street and lots of history
- Singelton. Small but perfectly formed with thatched cottages and flint stone walls
For more of the prettiest villages in Sussex, visit:
Castles, gardens and historic houses
There are a number of castles across Sussex. Many are from the Norman period, such as Lewes, Hastings and Bramber. But others are even older, such as Pevensey which was rebuilt from a Roman fortification. Some castles are from a later period such as Bodiam and Herstmonceux. What they all have in common, is the wow factor.
When you have finished exploring the Sussex castles, there are plenty of historic houses and gardens to explore. National Trust properties, include Bateman’s, Sheffield Park, Petworth House and Uppark, whilst you’ll find incredible gardens at Leonardslee and Great Dixter, and Tudor manions at Wakehurst and Parham House.
English Heritage properties in Sussex include Battle Abbey and Bayham Abbey and the Sussex Archaeological Society are custodians of the Roman Palace at Fishbourne, Michelham Priory and Anne of Cleves’ house amongst other properties.
The Sussex Archaeological Society & Historic Places to Visit
And there are also plenty of evocative ruins, too, like those at Cowdray, Boxgrove Priory, Racton, Bedham and Lewes Priory, along with a crazy assortment of follies and forts.
The Sussex countryside and the South Downs
The Sussex countryside is dominated by the South Downs. The South Downs are a range of chalk hills that run from Eastbourne across the county as far as Hampshire. They are part of the South Downs National Park and are made up of steep, north facing escarpments and more gentle south facing slopes. You can walk the South Downs Way that stretches the full distance along the Downs.
The Weald is an area that sits between the chalky slopes of the North Downs and the South Downs. It includes a large Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, as well as Ashdown Forest, St Leonards Forest and a number of historic towns and villages.
Other areas worth a visit are the Pevensey Levels, which were once a bay and sat under water, Chichester Harbour (a large and natural harbour made up of estuaries and inlets) and the Selsey area where you’ll find Pagham Harbour.
The Sussex coast and beaches
The Sussex coast stretches from Thorney Island and Chichester Harbour in the west for some 200 kms to Camber in the east. You can enjoy sandy beaches at the Witterings in West Sussex and Camber Sands in East Sussex, dramatic cliffs at Beachy Head and undercliff walks east from Brighton.
Alternatively, quiet paths across the marshes at Chichester Harbour and Pagham, gritty ports at Newhaven and watching the fishermen land the catch of the day land at Hastings.
But perhaps the best way to explore the Sussex coast is by walking the full distance along the King Charles III England Coast Path.
Food, wine and local produce
Sussex is fast securing its position on the map for being the place to go for great local produce and places to eat. In 2022, Sussex sparkling wine was granted PDO (Protected Designation of Origin) status and the county now has well over 130 vineyards, many of which are award winning.
With dozens of distilleries and breweries as well, Sussex has a great drink culture which includes tours and tastings, festivals, trails and fairs throughout the year. The county is now also home to a variety of food festivals and also has a number of restaurants that get a mention in the Michelin Guide. Award winning local produce includes cheese, meats, fish, asparagus, and fruit.
Best things to do in Sussex
The best things to do in Sussex will, of course, depend on what you like but include:
- Walking or cycling on the South Downs
- Visiting historic buildings such as castles, abbeys and Tudor homes combined with a trip to a local museum (there is one in nearly every town)
- A day spent by the seaside: from bucket and spade sandy beaches to exploring harbours and marshy inlets
- A visit to a vineyard for a tour and tasting followed by a trip to a spa
- A culture-vulture trip to some of the many art galleries
Frequently asked questions about Sussex
1. Where is Sussex in England?
Sussex is in the south east of England between London and the sea. It is also between the counties of Kent, Hampshire and Surrey and it looks out across Sussex Bay and the English Channel. On a clear day you can see France from some places in Sussex. You can get to most major towns in Sussex within an hour to an hour and a half from London.
2. What is Sussex famous for?
Sussex is famous for the stunning South Downs and an evocative and romantic landscape which includes The Weald and over 200 kms of coast. It is also famous for its fascinating history of Romans, Saxons, Normans and smugglers and for being the location of the Battle of Hastings. It is also now becoming well known for its award-winning wine and its great creative scene.
3. What are the best places to visit in Sussex?
The best places to visit include the Royal Pavilion in Brighton, the Seven Sisters Cliffs, Chichester Cathedral, Petworth, Rye and Battle Abbey. But beyond these main attractions are dozens of quirky and brilliant places to visit, like Hastings Old Town, Kingley Vale haunted forest, the homes of the Bloomsbury Group and Surrealism and the hidden waterfalls of Ashdown Forest.
4. Is Sussex a good place for a holiday?
Yes, Sussex is an excellent place for a holiday. It is only an hour from London and has a main airport (Gatwick) as well as a good rail network. It is also a compact county with lots of very different things to see and do and some lovely places to stay. So whether you want a wellbeing break of spas, walks and culture, or an active break of comedy, live music and action sports, you will find something to suit you.
5. What is the difference between East Sussex and West Sussex?
East Sussex and West Sussex are distinct administrative counties which share a common identity. That said, East Sussex is often described as a place of vast and wide open spaces, such as Ashdown Forest, Pevensey Levels and Seven Sisters Country Park while West Sussex is often described as a county of nooks and crannies, with winding narrow lanes, wooded heathland and hidden watery inlets.
6. What are the best beaches in Sussex?
If you are looking for sandy beaches, head to West and East Wittering near Chichester or Camber Sands in East Sussex. Sussex also has plenty of Blue Flag beaches. Worthing, Hove and Eastbourne are always popular with great local amenities, whereas Climping is quiet and un-developed. For wildlife try Pagham Harbour and Rye Nature Reserves and for nudism, head to the beach between Hastings and Rye.
7. What is the best time to visit Sussex?
The best time to visit will depend on what you want to see and do. If you are going to walk the South Downs, the best time is between April and October but for the wine harvest it is September to October (although wine tours run throughout the summer). For incredible festivals, visit in Novevember for a bonfire spectacular and January for wassailing.
8. Are there castles or historic sites in Sussex?
Yes, there are plenty of castles in Sussex from the very grand (and still occupied like Arundel Castle) and Herstmonceux Castle, to castle in ruins like Bramber, Bodiam and Lewes and castles that have been converted into hotels like Amberley. There are also lots of historic houses, a palace, a cathedral and a number of old abbeys.
9. Is Sussex good for walking and the countryside?
Yes, Sussex is great for walking, whether you want to walk the full distance of the South Downs Way or the Sussex section of the new King Charles III Coastal Path, or whether you are looking for shorter walks. Main trails include the Serpent Trail, the 1066 Country Walk, the Cuckmere Pilgrim Path, the Sussex Ouse Valley Way and the Downs Link to name but a few.
10. How do you get to Sussex (and travel around)?
You can travel to Sussex by plane to Gatwick or Shoreham airport. You can also travel from London to Sussex by train with services to most of the major towns and along the coast. Ferry services travel to Newhaven from Dieppe in France. By car, leave the M25 for the A21, A22, A23 or A24. If you are travelling along the coast, take the A27 or the A259. There is also a network of buses as well as cycle routes across Sussex.
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