Iconic Sussex landmarks come in all shapes and sizes. Some are fun. Some are epic and some are just plain bizarre. So, whether you want a walk with the wow-factor or an idyllic Instagram shot, here is our A to Z of Sussex landmarks.
Amex Stadium
Home to Brighton and Hove Albion since 2011, you don’t have to love football to admire this iconic Brighton landmark. With a capacity of over 31,000, in 2012, it won the New Venue Award at the Stadium Business Awards.
Arundel
As you approach Arundel from the south or east, the two grand ladies of Arundel Cathedral and Arundel Castle create an impressive view. And from the Black Rabbit and along the river, the views are particularly special as the castle hovers on the horizon. You can visit the 19th century French Gothic-style cathedral for free. Entry to the castle is by ticket only but allows you to get some amazing photos.
Beachy Head
Folk from far and wide flock to Beachy Head. With a dramatic 530-foot cliff face, panoramic views and the famous red and white lighthouse, it’s one of the best-known landscapes in the county and perhaps the most famous of our Sussex landmarks.
Chattri Memorial
Just north of Brighton and tucked away on the slopes of the South Downs, the Chattri Memorial commemorates the Indian dead of WWI. It’s a peaceful and evocative spot with fabulous views.
Chanctonbury Ring
Another landmark visible for miles around is the distinctive clump of trees on the South Downs at Chanctonbury. The trees were planted in 1760 by a young Charles Goring of Wiston Estate but the hill itself was a Bronze and Iron Age fort and a Roman settlement well before that, as well as being the site of a few stories about the Devil. Better still … the views are amazing!
Devil’s Humps and Jumps
These Bronze Age burial mounds in two different West Sussex locations (Stoughton and Treyford) are both very distinctive and have fabulous views. Shrouded in history and folklore, what a spot for a picnic and a few photos. And if it’s the Devil you’re after, don’t forget to head to Devil’s Dyke just north of Brighton.
Eastbourne Bandstand
Super stylish and right on the seafront, Eastbourne Bandstand was built in 1935 in Art Deco style and is just a short walk from Eastbourne Pier and a Martello Tower. Apart from being great to photograph, it has connections to the Titanic and various TV shows.
Firle Beacon
Home to various Neolithic and Bronze Age burial mounds, Firle Beacon has also got the most amazing views ahead towards Hastings and back towards Newhaven. It’s home to the Firle Corn – a figure in the shape of an ear of corn carved into the hill on one of the north slopes. But you can only see it with infrared equipment and very little seems to be known about it.
Goodwood
There are a few iconic Sussex landmarks at Goodwood. There is the racecourse, with its white domes that you can see from miles around. Then there’s the Art Deco style aerodrome (there’s a café there if you want to visit) and of course, there is the distinctive architecture of Goodwood House (best seen at one of the Goodwood festivals or on a walk through the grounds).
Hastings Old Town, Castle & Caves
Hastings is awash with distinctive landmarks. Hastings old town is made up of a series of narrow, winding streets that get steeper as you climb up towards the ruins of Hastings Castle. The castle ruins look down on the world from the cliff top and there are two distinctive funiculars that climb adjacent cliff faces. Not far from the castle are the smugglers’ caves, whilst on the seafront of The Stade are the iconic fishermen’s huts, boats and nets.
i360
At 162 metres high, Brighton’s i360 with its distinctive viewing pod can be seen from miles along the coast. If you’re out in Brighton looking to get some fabulous photos, it’s also right opposite the ruins of the West Pier, and it’s next to the upside-down house, its own distinctive ticket office, and not far from the the gorgeous Brighton bandstand.
Jack and Jill Windmills
Up on the South Downs (at Clayton, just south of Hassocks) are a distinctive pair of windmills which are also visible for miles. Jack and Jill are black and white respectively, and although Jack is a private home, Jill is sometimes open to the public. Walk down the hill from there to see the unusual (and allegedly haunted) Victorian tunnel.
Kingley Vale
The ancient yew trees at Kingley Vale are between 500 and possibly 1,000 years old or more and are said to be the oldest living things in Britain. The forest is also said to be haunted by Viking ghosts and walking through it, with the many tendrils and branches stretching around you, is an eery experience.
Lancing Chapel
Visible from miles around, Lancing Chapel is Gothic revival in style and stands proud on the South Downs. It’s the largest school chapel in the world, is 90 feet from the nave to the apex of the vault and is stunning inside. You can visit.
Martello Towers
If you love a Martello Tower, there are quite a few in Sussex, some in better shape than others. You’ll find the best ones in Rye, Norman’s Bay, Pevensey Bay, Eastbourne (Sovereign Harbour and on the main seafront), and Seaford.
Midhurst
The Cowdray Ruins are the remains of a magnificent Tudor House destroyed by fire in 1793. The ruins are said to be haunted and the fire was rumoured to be the result of a curse put on the family by a monk from Battle.
Newhaven Fort
Newhaven Fort is the largest defence work ever built in Sussex. It was built in the 19th century and is on the clifftop overlooking Newhaven Harbour. It’s a photographic site with photographic views!
Observatory
Sussex is lucky enough to be home to an Observatory Science Centre at Herstmonceux which is both interactive and has the domes and telescopes of a world-famous astronomical observatory.
Octopus
Not really a landmark but very popular nonetheless, is the sculpture of an octopus playing chess in Hastings Old Town.
Ouse Valley Viaduct
One of the most photographed structures in Sussex, the Ouse Valley Viaduct near Haywards Heath was built in 1838. It has 37 arches and is made from 11 million bricks. There is another viaduct in Brighton which isn’t quite as large but is equally lovely.
Pevensey Castle
Pevensey Castle has seen a few invaders in its time! Surrounded by an impressive wall, it was home to the Romans and later the Norman conquerors and makes an impressive statement when you arrive in Pevensey!
Queen Elizabeth I Oak
This legendary oak tree in the Cowdray Estate near Midhurst has a girth of 12.5–12.8 metres and is about 800–1,000 years old. Queen Elizabeth I is said to have rested under it on a hunting trip and it is recognised as one of 50 Great British Trees.
Racton Ruins
Racton Monument is on a hill near Chichester. Although it stands in ruins, it’s also Grade II listed. It once had four floors and is 24 metres high. These days it’s known for its ghost!
Royal Pavilion
Unique, exotic and decadent! The Royal Pavilion in Brighton was commissioned as a pleasure palace by King George IV in the early 19th century. With no expense spared, its minarets, domes, and pinnacles are as beautiful as its stunning interior.
Rye
Mermaid Street in Rye is one of the most photographed streets in the country never mind the county. It is a cobbled street lined with historic buildings including the famous Mermaid Inn – a 15th-century inn with a history of smugglers and ghosts.
Seaford’s Coastguard Cottages
Another of the most photographed Sussex landmarks is this little row of clifftop cottages with the Seven Sisters in the background. From Seaford Head walk east towards Cuckmere Haven and they come into view.
Seven Sisters
A site that is almost synonymous with Sussex is the Seven Sisters National Park. The Seven Sisters are a series of cliffs which you can walk along from Cuckmere Haven to Birling Gap with dramatic views and undulations.
Sugar Cone Folly
Sussex has a few follies and the Sugar Loaf is in a field just off the B2096 and a short walk from the road. At 10 metres high there’s something rather magical about it! The story goes that wealthy local Jack Fuller had bet a dinner guest that he could see the spire of Dallington church from his sitting room and when he realised that he couldn’t, he had the Sugar Loaf (aka Fuller’s Point) built in order to win the bet.
Temple of the Winds
A favourite haunt of Tennyson, on a clear day you can see across Sussex to the sea from the windblown but stunning platform at Blackdown north west of Petworth.
Uppark
Uppark is a 17th-century house in South Harting owned by the National Trust. The approach is impressive as you wind and weave your way around the South Downs and then drive up a long, tree-lined entrance. The house is beautiful but feels majestic, proud and just a tad isolated perched as it is on the edge of the Downs.
Vandalian Tower
If you’re walking at Harting Down, you will see the ruins of a mysterious tower in the distance. This is the Vandalian Tower and part of the Uppark estate. It was built in the 19th century to celebrate the founding of a new colony (which unfortunately quickly failed) and was allegedly the one-time meeting point of the Hellfire Club.
Wilmington
The Long Man! Cut into the chalk of the South Downs, the purpose and origin of this charismatic but mysterious 70 metre figure are unknown. But you can climb to the base of his feet and pay your respects.
X
Can we have the Chichester Cross? It’s an elaborate perpendicular market cross in the centre of the city at the crossroads of the four main streets, and not far from the cathedral. X really does mark the spot.
Ypres Tower
The Ypres Tower in Rye has been many things but these days it’s a museum. And it has gorgeous views across towards the sea.
Z
Do we have any Sussex landmarks beginning with Z? Well there is the zoo (Drusillas) near Alfriston. But we can do better than that. Let’s use Z as our wildcard and opt for the most zen landmark in Sussex. There are quite a few contenders but to be truly zen surely you need trees, and views, open space, the sea and a little bit of spirituality too? And that leads us to Cissbury Ring! High up above Worthing with views out to sea and all around, and an incredible Iron Age fort.
There are lots more iconic Sussex landmarks so let us know if we haven’t included your favourite. And if you’ve enjoyed this post about Sussex landmarks, you may also like:
