Long days, salty sea air, local fizz and roads that disappear into somewhere unexpected, summer in Sussex has arrived. In this latest edition of the free Sussex Exclusive Summer Magazine, we bring together the places, people and experiences that make this county extraordinary. Discover insider guides to Worthing and Lewes, explore summer traditions and hidden landscapes, walk in the footsteps of the Bloomsbury Group, uncover modern art in ancient surroundings and celebrate the flavours of the season, from oysters on the seafront to Sussex sparkling wine. And because every Sussex story has threads stretching beyond its borders, we also cross the Channel to Normandy, following the footsteps of William the Conqueror and the enduring legacy of 1066.
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Inspiration and destinations
Looking for fresh inspiration this summer? We’ve packed this edition with insider guides, hidden discoveries and ideas for making the most of Sussex. Our guides to Worthing and Lewes uncover the places locals love, from outdoor concerts, artists’ studios and unusual cultural trails to Friday nights at the Depot, independent shops, castle views, flea markets and unforgettable places to eat.
We also head to the shoreline with The Sussex Beachcomber, a celebration of Sussex beaches and the surprising joy of slowing down. Alongside stories of coastal treasures, our Sussex Soundbites deliver bite-sized inspiration, from perfect Sunday mornings and favourite pub finds to simple reminders that summer is often about the little things.
And if you’re wondering how to spend those long summer days, we’ve done the hard work for you. Discover our guide to the very best Sussex experiences: vineyard tours and picnics, oyster shucking by the sea, opera at Glyndebourne, open-air theatre, gardens in full bloom, live music and outdoor adventures across the county. We also head to Chichester, where old and new collide beautifully. In Modern Art in an Ancient City, we explore world-class art in remarkable surroundings, from stunning cathedral commissions to galleries helping shape Sussex’s cultural landscape.
Walks and history
If summer means pulling on your walking shoes and heading outdoors, this edition has plenty of inspiration. Our Sussex Exclusive Bloomsbury trail takes you through some of the county’s most spectacular countryside while following in the footsteps of the iconic Bloomsbury Group. Travel from Berwick and Charleston to Rodmell, Monk’s House and Lewes, discovering the landscapes that inspired some of the twentieth century’s greatest creative minds.
We also round up walks for every mood and ability. Explore accessible routes at Pulborough Brooks, Battle Great Wood and the Ouse Valley Walk, or try shorter adventures around Abbots Wood, Ardingly Reservoir and Arundel. Whether you’re after wildlife, woodland, riverside views or an easy family stroll, there’s inspiration to get you outside.
Our history features then take a different journey through Sussex, one rooted in tradition. From Hastings’ Blessing of the Sea and South Downs sheep-shearing customs to midsummer folklore, the curious Horn Fair near Petworth and Lammas harvest celebrations, we uncover the stories and traditions that continue to give Sussex its distinctive character.
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For the foodies
Food lovers, this is for you. Our summer food and drink section is packed with new discoveries, local flavours and enough inspiration to keep your diary full all season long. Leading the way is our Sussex Coastal Wine Trail, a journey through Winchelsea, Alfriston and Hailsham, combining medieval streets, stunning countryside, vineyard experiences and some of Sussex’s most exciting wines.
We also spotlight exciting newcomers in Ones to Watch, including a new restaurant and an unmissable cookery masterclass with MasterChef winner Kenny Tutt. Meanwhile, our Flavour Hunters track down the tastes defining summer right now, from oysters and sparkling rosé to local honey and farm-fresh apple juice.
For longer, slower summer moments, we head to Tottington Manor for countryside walks and beautifully curated sharing platters celebrating regional ingredients, while The Chequers serves up heritage flavours with a French twist. Chef Steve Toward also shares his summer favourites, including a simple but irresistible sun-blushed apricot frangipane tart. And don’t miss Summer in a Glass from Sussex Kitchen, featuring a strawberry and black pepper smash topped with Sussex sparkling wine and a fresh gooseberry and honey shrub, perfect sipping for warm evenings and garden gatherings.
Sussex wellbeing
Looking after yourself this summer might not mean booking a spa day. In our Anti-Spa: Summer Wellbeing the Sussex Way, we explore a different approach to feeling good, all built around experiences that genuinely lift your mood and recharge your batteries. Think woodland immersion, sculpture trails, slow food, foraging, heritage discoveries and unstructured walks, all centred around finding what works for you and weaving more of it into everyday life.
We also share our favourite summer lifestyle picks, from stylish pottery and deckchairs to Sussex hampers and tote bags, all perfect for long days outdoors and seasonal gifting. And for readers looking for their next adventure, our In the Library review of 111 Places in Hastings and Rye That You Shouldn’t Miss is packed with inspiration for discovering somewhere unexpected.
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Love your home
Ready to refresh your home this summer? Our homes and interiors section is packed with ideas to inspire every corner of your space. Interior designer Carol Coleman explores one of the easiest and most affordable ways to transform a home: colour. From subtle updates to bold design statements, she shows how colour can breathe new life into your surroundings and create spaces that feel uniquely yours. We also head outdoors with Feng Shui consultant Janine Lowe, who reveals how your garden can do more than simply look beautiful. Her guide explores how thoughtful planting and layout can support everything from creativity and wellbeing to relationships and prosperity, using plants and outdoor spaces to encourage positive energy. Award-winning gardener Geoff Stonebanks then shares ideas for creating gardens that delight all the senses with ideas for introducing colour, embracing natural connections and creating stylish spaces designed around the way we really live.
Entrepreneurial Sussex
Our Entrepreneurial Sussex section shines a spotlight on the people, ideas and conversations shaping the county right now. We meet business expert, motivational leader and author, Nikki Butlin, as she explores her Sussex roots stretching back to Heathfield and Herstmonceux and reflects on where life and writing may take her next.
We also catch up with award-winning marketer Dee Blick for a breakfast interview covering everything from building a successful business to writing her first fiction book and delivering a TED Talk. Also new this edition is The Coach’s Corner, where Laura Osman takes on the confidence myth and shares practical advice for stepping outside your comfort zone and taking action. Alongside the inspiration, we also tackle important business topics, including expert guidance on Business Property Relief changes and why valuations have never mattered more. Insight, ideas and practical advice, all with a Sussex perspective.
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Beyond Hastings
This summer we leave Sussex but only just. Our major travel feature, Four Days in Normandy, follows the extraordinary story of William the Conqueror through over a thousand years of history, taking readers on an unforgettable journey across one of France’s most fascinating regions.
Starting in Caen, we explore castles, abbeys and William’s final resting place before heading to Falaise, his birthplace. We then discover Rouen’s striking Gothic architecture, Viking heritage and atmospheric old town, complete with fantastic local food and unforgettable experiences. The journey finishes on Normandy’s coastline, where places such as Dives-sur-Mer and Fécamp reveal just how closely Sussex and Normandy remain connected.
Discover Sussex
There’s even more waiting inside, including our ever-popular In the Diary section packed with brilliant events and things to do across Sussex, plus our latest quiz to put your local knowledge to the test. Best of all, the entire summer edition is completely free. So grab your favourite Sussex drink, find a sunny spot and start exploring. From hidden discoveries and food finds to walks, history, wellbeing and unforgettable experiences, your summer inspiration starts here: download your free copy now.
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