West Sussex is a county situated in the southern region of England. A part of the Home Counties near Greater England, it is surrounded by Surrey to the north and the English Channel to the south. The eastern and western part is bordered by East Sussex and Hampshire respectively. A diverse county, it boasts a wide array of notable attractions, from museums and art galleries to historical castles. Its pristine beauty, long coastlines, vast farmlands, exciting towns, and historic castles make it a popular tourist destination. South Downs National Park, which is among England’s newest national parks, has a large area in West Sussex. This adds immensely to the county’s appeal among visitors. Go ahead and plan a visit to this exciting county. Read on to know more about the best things to do in West Sussex, UK.
1. Escape the city life at Shoreham Beach in Shoreham-by-Sea
Shoreham Beach, a shingles beach at the coastal town of Shoreham-by-Sea, lies near the west of the historic harbor where Adur River enters the sea. While this beach slopes quite steeply in some areas, large parts of the pebbles and wet sands get exposed during low tide, adding immensely to the beach’s beauty. Boasting a range of activities, the beach is popular among windsurfers and kitesurfers. There are also patches of grassy areas behind the beach that make for an ideal children’s play area, making the beach ideal for both youngsters and adults alike. You can surely enjoy a stroll at this beautiful beach.
Shoreham Beach
Address: Shoreham-by-Sea, West Sussex, BN43 5LY, United Kingdom
2. Get creative at Ceramic Shack Pottery Painting Studio in Horsham
Editor's Note: Photo taken from the establishment's official social account
Posted by Ceramic Shack on Thursday, January 31, 2019
Ceramic Shack is an independent, family-run pottery studio providing a unique experience across all age groups. Situated in the market town of Horsham, the studio is ideal for spending quality time with friends, family, children, or colleagues. In the studio, you can choose your own pottery piece for decorating and the helpful staff at Ceramic Shack will provide guidance on how to make the piece uniquely yours. After the pottery session, the decorated item undergoes a glazing and firing process to reveal the created masterpiece.
Ceramic Shack
Address: 23 Piries Place, Horsham RH12 1EH, United Kingdom
Website: Ceramic Shack
Opening hours: Mon - Fri: 10am - 5pm; Sat: 9:30am - 5pm; Sun: 11am - 4pm
3. Discover works of decorative arts at Worthing Museum & Art Gallery in Worthing
Worthing Museum and Art Gallery is the largest museum in West Sussex. Ideal for those who want to learn more about garments used throughout British history, this museum boasts the largest collection of textiles and costumes in the UK. The museum also houses an impressive collection of toys, dolls, archaeological remains, and other materials related to Sussex’s history. The museum staff also encourages educational visits and offers various workshops and curator-led talks.
Worthing Museum and Art Gallery
Address: Chapel Rd, Worthing BN11 1HP, United Kingdom
Website: Worthing Museum and Art Gallery
Opening hours: Thu: 10am - 8pm; Fri - Sat: 10am - 5pm; Sun: 11am - 3pm (closed from Mon - Wed)
You might be interested in these Airbnbs!
4. Have a fun wine tasting session at Bolney Wine Estate in Haywards Heath
Editor's Note: Photo taken from the establishment's official social account
Situated in rural Sussex and established in 1972, Bolney Wine Estate is one of the oldest vineyards in England. This vineyard is famous for its red, white, and English sparkling wines. This place hosts a guided tour of the estate along with tasting sessions of their award-winning wines. An ideal destination for wine connoisseurs, you can also learn more about the rich history of English wine and how the famed Bolney wines are made. Additionally, the place also offers al fresco dining on their vineyard balcony, or you can choose from their selection for takeout.
Bolney Wine Estate
Address: Foxhole Ln, Bolney, Haywards Heath RH17 5NB, United Kingdom
Website: Bolney Wine Estate
Opening hours: 9am - 5pm (daily)
5. Meet the wildlife at Pulborough Brooks in Pulborough
Pulborough Brooks, a biological Site of Special Scientific Interest, is a 400 ac (160 ha) diverse meadow situated in West Sussex. A part of Pulborough Brooks Nature Reserve, it possesses rich aquatic flora and fauna, including bird species such as lapwing, skylark, barn owl, partridge, and wintering wildfowl. Ideal for wildlife enthusiasts, this place is open throughout the year and boasts a variety of woodlands, wetlands, and heathlands. If you want to know more about the area, you can always opt for the guided walks, courses, and introductory events provided by various hosts.
Pulborough Brooks
Address: Uppertons Barn Visitor Centre, Wiggonholt, Pulborough RH20 2EL, United Kingdom
Website: Pulborough Brooks
Opening hours: 10am - 4pm (daily)
6. Explore horse back riding trails at South Downs National Park in Midhurst
South Downs National Park, England’s newest national park, is an expansive park covering an area of around 1627 sq km (628 sq mi). Midhurst, a market town, lies nestled in the heart of the national park. This makes the town an ideal base for exploring the diverse park. The park also houses numerous trails for walking, cycling, and even horse riding. The riders can enjoy 1200 km (746 mi) of bridleways spreading throughout the park. A series of troughs and water taps are there along the route so that the rider and the horse don’t go thirsty. The park also offers riding lessons and riding tours for people of all ages.
South Downs National Park
Address: North St, Midhurst GU29 9DH, United Kingdom
Website: South Downs National Park
7. Step back in history visiting Arundel Castle
Arundel Castle, situated in Arundel, is a restored medieval castle established on Christmas day in 1067 by Roger de Montgomery, the Earl of Arundel. The castle, located on the majestic grounds across River Arun, reflects nearly 1,000 years of history. It boasts an impressive collection of personal possessions of Mary, Queen of Scots, and also has a cluster of armor and arms on display. Besides the vast collection, the palace’s elaborate furnishings are sure to leave one impressed.
Arundel Castle
Address: Arundel BN18 9AB, United Kingdom
Website: Arundel Castle
Opening hours: Tue - Sun: 10am - 5pm (closed on Mon)
Price: 32 USD (23 GBP)
8. Dig in for a seaside classic in the famously unusual East Beach Café in Littlehampton
East Beach Café, located in Littlehampton, is a seaside café known for its innovative architectural design. The café’s design resembling a giant driftwood piece has won numerous awards. Besides its unique architecture, the café promises a relaxed environment serving seaside delicacies. The place provides the options of either sitting inside or opting for takeout if you want to head to the beach to enjoy your meal.
East Beach Café
Address: The Promenade, Littlehampton BN17 5GB, United Kingdom
Website: East Beach Cafe
Opening hours: Sun - Fri: 10am - 3pm; Sat: 10pm-12am
9. Explore the beautiful countryside around Chichester and visit the restored windmill there (from USD 30.0)
Chichester is one of the cathedral cities situated in West Sussex. You can explore and enjoy the beautiful villages and towns of West Sussex, which are situated close to the city. The countryside offers breathtaking natural views of the lush surroundings, tunnels of trees, vineyards, and farmlands.
Depending on the time of the year, you may also find few uncommon species of plants and butterflies around the countryside. You can also pay a visit to the restored mill, Halnaker Windmill, situated at the top of Halnaker Hills. Apart from a top view of Sussex, you can even see Isle of Wight on a clear day!
Halnaker tree tunnel and windmill walk
Duration: 2.5 hours
10. Indulge in tranquility at the blossoming Nymans Garden in Haywards Heath
The beautiful Nymans Garden was developed by generations of the Messel family starting from the late 19th century. A peaceful country garden, this site is truly a horticulturalist’s dream. Consisting of a wide array of flowers such as camellias, magnolias, and heathers, this garden promises breathtaking sights throughout the entire year. The romantic house and the surrounding ruins where the majestic garden lies adds immensely to the picturesque setting.
Nymans Garden
Address: Nymans, Handcross, Haywards Heath RH17 6EB, United Kingdom
Website: Nymans Garden
Opening hours: 9:30am - 5pm (daily)
Experience the charm of West Sussex at its best
West Sussex has a lot to offer for all kinds of visitors. While planning your visit to this beautiful county, don’t forget to check out the best things to do in the area!
History
Get Trip101 in your inbox
Unsubscribe in one click. See our Privacy Policy for more information on how we use your data
Create an account to