Our top ten Sussex attractions

Sussex is a brilliant region full of beautiful natural landscapes, fascinating heritage and vibrant cities. Here we pick our favourite Sussex attractions to help you decide what to see and where to go. As you will see, there is no way you are going to run out of things to do here!

1. The South Downs National Park

The majority of the incredible South Downs National Park lies in Sussex and offers brilliant opportunities for outdoor activities. This stunning and varied landscape will take you from rolling hills and woodland valleys all the way down to the dramatic chalk cliffs on the coast. Get out and explore on foot, by bike or on horseback – take a picnic, bring your family, your friends or your dog and enjoy this beautiful slice of English countryside.

2. Arundel

Arundel is a wonderful little town in West Sussex surrounded by stunning countryside and absolutely packed with historical features. Arundel Castle is the main attraction, standing tall on the hill overlooking the beautiful River Arun valley. The town also has an impressive cathedral, some fantastic old buildings, great cafes and a good selection of shops, particularly for those interested in antiques.

3 Cissbury and Chanctonbury Rings

Cissbury Ring dates date back over 5000 thousands, is the largest hill fort in Sussex and the site of one of the earliest Neolithic flint mines – now that is history! Nearby Chanctonbury Ring is also a hillfort which later became a Roman religious site. Located high up on the chalk ridges of the South Downs, both rings provide stunning hilltop views all the way to the sea and excellent walking opportunities. It is possible walk between the two sites. 

4 Brighton

The sunny and hedonistic seaside city of Brighton is truly one of the most vibrant in the country. It has a fun and cultural atmosphere and there is plenty to see and do. A few ideas might include: shopping in independent and quirky shops in the Laines, relaxing on the pebble beach, grabbing a donut on the Pier, and visiting the excellent Brighton Pavilion. Trust us, you cannot get bored here.

Just 20 minutes outside of Brighton is one of our favourite glamping sites, Blackberry Wood. Where else can you stay in a converted double decker bus or helicopter? And the treehouse is just stunning!

5 Bodiam Castle

Bodiam Castle in East Sussex is one of the most popular attractions in Sussex. This incredible castle dates back to the 14th Century and sits in the middle of a huge moat. It is one of the finest castles in the UK and offers a wonderful mix of splendour and ruin to explore.

6 Seven Sisters Country Park

Part of the South Downs National Park, the Seven Sisters Country Park offers some of the most dramatic scenery in the county. The seven sisters, a series of tall chalk cliffs, are a famous sight on this unspoilt coastline. There is lots of walking to do around here, up on the high downland, through the beautiful Cuckmere river valley and along the magnificent shores between the cliffs. There are great views from the top of the cliffs, especially in Seaford Head or Cuckmere Haven.

7 Glyndebourne

One of the cultural hotspots of Sussex, the country estate of Glyndebourne has been presenting high quality Opera and classical music to audiences since 1934. The current Opera house seats 1,200 people, and was built in 1994. The Glyndebourne Festival presents six productions every year, so it’s worth seeing if one coincides with your camping trip!

8 Ashdown Forest

The name Hundred-Acre Wood will probably transport you back to one of your favourite childhood stories. Author A. A. Milne based his fictional wood, home to Winnie The Pooh, on Five Hundred Acre Wood in Ashdown Forest. This area of ancient lowland heathland and woodland is brilliant for walkers, cyclist, horse riders and anyone looking for some outdoor tranquillity.

9 Drusillas Park

This zoo houses loads of animals, including alpacas, lemurs, squirrel monkeys, otters, beavers, red pandas, marmosets, penguins and meerkats. And that’s just naming a few! Drusillas is a very popular family attraction mostly targeted at kids aged between 2 and ten years. There is a huge amount to do here aside from seeing the animals, with various play areas, a Thomas and Friends train ride, and a Hello Kitty secret garden.

10 Bluebell Railway

The Bluebell Railway is a heritage line offering through the Sussex countryside. This line has been open over 50 years and the carefully restored steam trains are kept in magnificent working order. This is a real treat for train lovers.

Sussex is a fantastic county with a huge amount to offer visitors of all ages and interests. This list contains some fabulous attractions that should get you well on your way to deciding what to do on your holidays. Have a great time!