If you’ve just moved to Sussex, are thinking of visiting for a holiday, or just want to get to know your home county better, what is Sussex really like and what’s the best way to experience Sussex? The answer is that Sussex is a large, diverse county with a long history and dozens of historic towns, a modern and vibrant cultural scene, fantastic local produce, and stunning countryside. After a little time spent exploring Sussex, you’ll want to come back, again and again. So, in this post, you’ll find a little bit of background and a whole heap of different Sussex experiences to help inspire your time here.
A little about Sussex
Sussex is a historic county in south east England which these days is actually made up of two counties: West Sussex and East Sussex. Sussex is on the coast and also borders Kent, Surrey and Hampshire. The word Sussex comes from ‘South Saxons’. The county has a population of about 1.7 million (2021) and Sussex covers about 1,461 square miles. Running from Eastbourne across the county to the west is a line of hills called the South Downs and north of these is the Weald (which used to be deep forest) and the High Weald Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.
There are two cities in Sussex, namely Chichester in West Sussex and Brighton and Hove in East Sussex. The county has a warm climate which makes it perfect for growing grapes and other produce and as a result, it has a thriving wine culture with over 130 vineyards many of which are award-winning.
The people of Sussex are known as tough and determined and used to have their own dialect. The oldest known human remains found in Britain were found in Sussex at Boxgrove and are thought to be 500,000 years old. There are dozens of Neolithic, Bronze and Iron Age sites in the county. The Romans also had a strong presence in Sussex and of course, in 1066, the Normans beat the native Saxons at Battle Abbey in East Sussex and changed the course of history. Sussex also has a fascinating past when it comes to smugglers and witches and the county played an important part in WWI and WWII.
The big Sussex four
If you really want to experience Sussex, you have to start with the big four, namely: the South Downs, the vineyards, the history, and the coast.
The South Downs
The South Downs are famous for their iconic views across Sussex to the sea and to the North Downs. The South Downs Way is a 160 km trail (also open to cyclists) and has National Trail status. It runs from Eastbourne to Winchester. Along the way, there are steep chalky climbs, vineyards, sunflowers, Iron and Bronze Age burial mounds, rivers, meadows, lighthouses and nature reserves. There are plenty of car parks and bus services that will take you to the Downs and hundreds of short walks if you don’t want to walk the whole trail. But if you want to experience Sussex, the South Downs must be on your list.
Sussex history
Make time in your “Experience Sussex” itinerary to discover some of the county’s history. In the east of Sussex, you’ll find 1066 Country where William the Conqueror landed. You can follow the 1066 Country Walk. There are also at least 12 castles across the county many of which are Medieval and date from just after the Norman invasion.
There are two significant Roman sites in West Sussex at Bignor and Fishbourne and there are also quite a few National Trust and English Heritage properties. And whether the era you love is the Iron Age, the Elizabethan period or the Regency era, the county is peppered with sites and towns of historical interest.
The Sussex coast
With over 220 km of coast, a trip to the seaside should be part of any Sussex experience. There are areas of the coast where you’ll find vast long sandy beaches such as Camber Sands in the east and the Witterings in the west. There are also remote coastal nature reserves, inlets and islands as well as seaside towns equipped with piers, ice cream and good old-fashioned fish and chips. You can even view the coast from up above in the iconic i360 viewing pod in Brighton.
Sussex vineyards
In recent years, the Sussex wine industry has grown significantly and the county now has protected status for wine. Vineyards cover the length and breadth of the county and many offer outstanding vineyard tours, tasting, and other experiences. Known in particular for their sparkling wine, many vineyards also offer luxury accommodation (such as Tinwood and Rathfinny) and there are now also Sussex producers of still and red wines.
Sussex experiences
So, you’ve conquered the big four. But whatever time of the year you visit, there are a host of other Sussex experiences to enjoy.
Luxury and spa breaks
Who doesn’t want a little luxury and pampering? As luck would have it, Sussex has a number of outstanding luxury hotels, country clubs and spas. Whether you decide to stay in one spot, or tour the county, you can be confident that you will be spoilt with restorative treatments, fabulous cuisine and sumptuous rooms.
Sussex golf
As you might expect, there is plenty of room for golf when you’re visiting Sussex. It has a number of first-class golf courses including West Sussex Golf Club, Royal Ashdown Forest Golf Club, Rye Golf Club, Piltdown and Seaford Head Golf Course.
Foodie experiences
Sussex is a great destination for foodies and throughout the year, there are different food festivals and events. There are also some 36 Sussex restaurants that get a mention in the Michelin Guide including Etch, The Star at Alfriston and Rathfinny. In addition to this, across the county, you’ll find secret supper clubs, foraging experiences, craft spirit makers, artisan producers and fabulous little cafés. Must-try Sussex dishes include the Sussex Smokie, Banoffe Pie and Sussex Pond Pudding.
Take to the water
If you’re a water baby, then Sussex has plenty to do. There are several Sussex scuba diving centres and the Sussex coast is known for its offshore shipwrecks. The coast is also dotted with sailing clubs, windsurfing and body boarding centres and you can even take a speed boat along the coast and out to the famous windfarm. For more sedate water-based activities you can paddle board down the River Cuckmere, drift lazily along the River Ouse or take a barge along one of the ancient canals at Loxwood.
Immersive Sussex
From Medieval jousts at Loxwood and Arundel to reenactments of the Battle of Lewes, torch-lit processions and puppetry for bonfire night, and folklore celebrations like Jack of the Green in Hastings, Sussex folk like nothing better than to bring the past to life! So step back in time and immerse yourself in a bygone era.
Sussex transport
The main airport in Sussex is Gatwick. There is also an excellent train network with regular trains from London to the coast and a number of cross-country lines. The county is also well-served by buses. There are several main roads in Sussex which include the A23, A24, A27, A22, A21 and the A272.
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