Summer in Sussex is never just a season; it’s a feeling. It is vineyard picnics beneath wide skies, oysters eaten by the sea, hidden pathways waiting beyond medieval villages and stories woven through landscapes old and new. In this summer edition of the Sussex Exclusive Magazine, we reveal the county from fresh perspectives: from insider guides to Worthing and Lewes and the quiet art of beachcombing, to modern art in an ancient city, Bloomsbury landscapes, summer traditions and unforgettable experiences.
We follow the flavours of the season too, with sparkling Sussex fizz, coastal wine trails, fresh local produce and the people shaping the Sussex scene. We even venture beyond the Channel to Normandy, where the threads of the 1066 story continue to unfold. Consider this your invitation to a summer of discovery.
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Inspiration and destinations
This summer we head beneath the surface of two Sussex favourites with our insider’s guides to Worthing and Lewes. In Worthing, discover a town full of surprises, from midsummer on Highdown Hill and unexpected cultural trails to artists’ studios, outdoor performances and the perfect summer G&T. In Lewes, we step into a place of layers: ancient castles, soul-restoring walks, Friday evenings at the Depot, quirky cafés, independent shops and flea-market treasures.
We also celebrate one of Sussex’s simplest pleasures: the coast itself. In The Sussex Beachcomber, we explore the quiet art of finding nothing at all. While our Sussex Soundbites offer small invitations to savour the county differently: a perfect Sunday morning, little rituals worth preserving, a favourite pub recommendation and reminders to celebrate the ordinary moments.
We also bring together some of the very best Sussex experiences of the season; vineyard picnics beneath wide skies, oyster shucking beside the coast, music and festivals, opera at Glyndebourne, open-air theatre and gardens bursting into life. Whether your summer means long walks, hidden trails, culture or simply finding new ways to slow down, Sussex delivers in abundance.
And finally, we head to Chichester, where ancient streets and centuries-old buildings provide the backdrop for something unexpectedly modern. In Modern Art in an Ancient City, we uncover extraordinary works at the cathedral, explore the remarkable story behind them and discover how galleries such as Pallant House continue to make Chichester one of Sussex’s most fascinating cultural destinations.
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Walks and history
In this edition, we also lace up our boots and head out across Sussex landscapes. Our Sussex Exclusive Bloomsbury Group trail follows in the footsteps of some of the twentieth century’s most influential creative minds, taking us through landscapes that inspired writers, artists and thinkers. From Berwick and Charleston to Rodmell, Monk’s House and onwards to Lewes, it is a journey through some of Sussex’s most beautiful and varied countryside.
Discover accessible routes through the wetlands and wildlife of Pulborough Brooks, the woodland beauty of Battle Great Wood and the sweeping landscapes of the Ouse Valley. For shorter adventures, we share walks around Abbots Wood near Hailsham, Ardingly Reservoir and the ever-rewarding riverside paths of Arundel.
And because Sussex landscapes are inseparable from the stories and traditions that shaped them, we also step back into the county’s past. We explore Sussex summer traditions, from Hastings’ Blessing of the Sea and age-old sheep-shearing rituals on the South Downs to midsummer celebrations, curious local customs and Lammas, the ancient festival marking the first harvest.
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For the gourmands
Summer flavours somehow taste different in Sussex. Perhaps it is the sea air, the chalk soil, the long evenings or simply the joy of eating and drinking in beautiful places. Our Sussex Coastal Wine Trail starts in the achingly pretty medieval town of Winchelsea, and travels through landscapes and villages rich with character and history, from sea views, vineyard slopes and Alfriston’s smuggler tales to beyond to Hailsham and the wide-open landscapes of the Pevensey Levels. Along the way, we discover world-class vineyards.
Elsewhere, our pages are filled with flavours worth seeking out. Our Ones to Watch introduces exciting new arrivals, including a new restaurant and a cookery masterclass from celebrated MasterChef winner Kenny Tutt. Our Flavour Hunters continue the search for the tastes of the season, from fresh oysters and sparkling rosé to local honey and farm-fresh apple juice, small discoveries that capture the spirit of a Sussex summer.
Food becomes an experience too at Tottington Manor, where two beautiful walks lead naturally into platters, shared dishes and menus built around exceptional local produce. We linger over long summer afternoons at The Chequers, where local heritage ingredients and French-inspired cooking come together in glorious fashion, and Michelin-level chef Steve Toward shares his own summer favourites, from seafood and fish to a sun-blushed apricot frangipane tart made for warm evenings and second helpings.
And because summer should also come with something delicious in hand, Sussex Kitchen brings us Summer in a Glass. Think strawberry and black pepper smash lifted with Sussex sparkling wine for a crisp, elegant finish, alongside a vibrant green gooseberry and honey shrub; sharp, refreshing and a reminder that summer drinks can be every bit as memorable as summer meals.
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Sussex wellbeing and lifestyle
Wellbeing does not always arrive wrapped in fluffy robes and spa treatments. Sometimes it looks like sunlight through woodland trees, wildflowers swaying beside a sculpture trail, a long lunch after a walk or losing track of time somewhere that quietly restores you. In this edition, we embrace the Anti-Spa: Summer Wellbeing the Sussex Way, a collection of immersive experiences designed around the things that genuinely make us feel good.
Alongside it, we round up our favourite summer finds with a collection of beautiful seasonal buys, from pottery and deckchairs to Sussex hampers and tote bags. And for those looking for inspiration beyond the pages of the magazine, our In the Library feature explores 111 Places in Hastings and Rye That You Shouldn’t Miss, an invitation to discover hidden corners, fascinating stories and somewhere new to explore.
Fall in love with your home and garden
Interior designer Carol Coleman explores one of the simplest and most transformative design tools available: colour. Whether bold and dramatic or soft and subtle, colour has the power to refresh spaces, shift mood and help create homes that feel deeply personal, whatever the budget. Whilst outdoors, we discover that gardens can tell stories too. Classically trained Feng Shui consultant Janine Lowe explores how outdoor spaces can become more intentional and meaningful. Through the power of planting, she reveals how different areas of the garden can represent aspects of our lives, from creativity and career to relationships and prosperity, and how thoughtful choices may help beautiful energy flourish around us. And award-winning gardener Geoff Stonebanks shares ideas on creating gardens designed not simply to be seen, but to be experienced. In Flourish and Grow, he showcases how to create spaces that engage all the senses and nurture wellbeing.
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Entreprenuerial Sussex
Entrepreneurial Sussex has always been about more than business success and in this edition, we meet business expert and motivational leader, Nikki Butlin, as she explores Sussex roots that lead back to Heathfield and Herstmonceux, reflecting on the pull of place, personal history and what comes next. We also sit down over breakfast with Dee Blick for a wide-ranging conversation that travels from her early days building an award-winning marketing business to writing fiction and stepping onto the TED stage. Alongside it, we introduce a new feature, The Coach’s Corner, where columnist Laura Osman tackles one of our most persistent misconceptions: the confidence myth. Her thoughtful advice reminds us that confidence rarely arrives first, more often, it grows when we step beyond what feels comfortable.
And because success is not only about inspiration but practical knowledge too, we also explore important business insights, including why changes to Business Property Relief mean valuations matter more than ever. Together, these stories offer ideas, perspective and perhaps a little encouragement for whatever comes next.
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Beyond Hastings and the sea
Some Sussex stories do not end at the coastline. In Four Days in Normandy, we step beyond Sussex and into a journey through more than a thousand years of history, following in the footsteps of William the Conqueror and exploring the places that helped shape one of history’s most extraordinary stories. From Caen and its magnificent castle to abbeys founded by William and the quiet significance of his tomb, to Falaise, William’s birthplace, we discover immersive experiences and wander through landscapes where the Norman story still feels wonderfully alive.
Sussex is waiting to be discovered
And of course, no edition of Sussex Exclusive would be complete without our regular favourites. Our In the Diary pages are packed with wonderful events and experiences to fill your summer calendar, while our quiz returns to test your Sussex knowledge. So all that remains is to pour yourself something delicious, perhaps a glass of Sussex sparkling wine, a local cider or your favourite summer drink, find a sunny corner, a quiet garden chair or a spot by the sea, and settle in. The summer edition of Sussex Exclusive is completely free and filled with stories, discoveries and experiences designed to inspire your next Sussex adventure.
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Sussex Exclusive Summer Magazine
