Things to do in West Sussex
Want to experience the very best of English wine? Want to feel like you’ve gone back in time and visit a medieval castle? Want to explore 50 miles of incredible coastline? From Wineries to Walks to Coastline and Castles there’s something for everyone in West Sussex. We’ve curated our fave things to do to waste a weekend (or week) in West Sussex.
Go on a winery tour
We couldn’t start off our celebration of Sussex without mentioning wine first now could we? Sussex has more than 50 wineries to explore. From us, Kinsbrook - the youngest vineyard owners in the country to Bolney Estate - one of the oldest vineyards in the country, you’ll easily be able to spend a weekend sipping your way around Sussex at all the incredible award winning wine this region has to offer. See our guide to the best West Sussex wineries.
Get active in the South Downs
The South Downs are a range of chalk hills that extends for about 260 square miles across the south-eastern coastal counties of England. If you’re visiting from Kinsbrook way you can be at the Downs at Storrington within about a 10 minute drive. The Downs are full of hidden countryside gems, stunning views, but we think the hiking takes the biscuit. Two of the highest points with incredible views are the Ditchling Beacon and Devil's Dyke which both offer stunning panoramas of the low Weald and North Downs. Well worth the steps!
Go back in time in Arundel
Things fairytales are made of! You’ll be hard-pressed to find a more charming town than Arundel. You’ll feel like you’ve stepped back in time with the incredible castle dating back to the 11th Century. Well worth the entrance fee you can also explore the grounds, see a battle re-enactment, watch an open air theatre in the gardens. Whilst you’re here, visit Arundel's historic town centre with its museum, galleries, shops and restaurants. Make sure you try one of the fun self-guided treasure trail walking tours or get a boat along the river Arun. The Black Rabbit pub on the outskirts with views over the river is an absolute delight that shouldn’t be missed for a pint (or two!)
Take a dip in Brighton Beach
“Oh we do like to be beside the seaside, oh we do like to be beside the sea” And there’s no better place than a trip to Brighton for a walk along the shore, getting some crab sticks from one of the shacks dotted long the seafront, and of course taking a dip in the English Channel. But Brighton has so much more to offer than just its beach. Vegans can rejoice with the plant based food scene booming in Brighton. There’s the edgy and cool shops of the lanes. Feel like you’re in India all of a sudden when you visit the Indo-saracenic Royal Pavilion. Head to a drag show. Go up the Brighton Eye. Watch a comedy show. There’s really something for everyone.
Have a pint at the Sportsman
You can’t go wrong with a pint in a pub like this. Located just outside Amberley overlooking the Wildbrooks Nature Reserve. It’s a thumbs up from us to spend a few hours sipping on your drinks and soaking up the view.
Watch the polo at Cowdray Estate
If you’re heading to Sussex in summer, then you can’t go wrong watching the Gold Cup for the British Open Polo Championship at Cowdray Park Polo Club in Midhurst. With a backdrop of The Cowdray Ruins - one of England's most important early Tudor Houses dating back to the 11th Century, we bet you’d find it hard to to find a more quintessentially British day out.
Have a jolly good time at Goodwood Estate
Whilst we’re on the topic of horses, another cracking day out in Sussex is a trip to Goodwood. Whether you’re there for the Festival of Speed, the revival or to put a punt on the horses, there’s something to do all year round at the estate which sits against the magnificent backdrop of the rolling Sussex countryside. Goodwood's flagship events are highlights in both the horse racing and motor racing calendars. Giddy up!
Be one at nature at Knepp Rewilding
Want to get off the grid, then exploring Knepp’s 3,500 acre estate just south of Horsham will make you feel at one with nature with its pioneering rewilding project. The land – once intensively farmed - has been left and now extremely rare species like turtle doves, nightingales, peregrine falcons and purple emperor butterflies are now breeding here.
Do as the Romans do at Fishbourne Roman Palace
If history is your thing, then why not visit the largest Roman home in Britain. Fishbourne Roman Palace is located in the village of Fishbourne, Chichester where you can see the largest collection of mosaics in situ in the UK and imagine the luxury that would once have surrounded the proud owner of this lavish Roman residence.
Go back in time at Amberley Museum
Another way to feel like you’re stepping back in time is visiting Amberley museum, a former quarry and limeworks open-air attraction with 36 acres to explore for a family friendly day out. You’ll be spoilt for choice with all the activities on offer - from exploring the old chalk pits, watching a blacksmith in action, taking a ride on an old railway or even making your own broom. (One for the Harry Potter fans!)
Pretend you’re in Bridgerton Petworth House
Whilst you’re in Sussex, why not visit a late 17th-century Grade I listed country house and pretend you're in the set of Bridgerton (they just filmed some of series two here don’t you know!?). See the state rooms, servants quarters or walk around the pleasure garden. The parkland is just as delightful as the house with 700 acres home to a herd of around 700 fallow deer - you can lose hours walking around for miles and miles in this beautiful area of Sussex.
Wake up and smell the roses at Leonardslee Lake & Gardens
Flowers float your boat? Then a trip to this Grade I listed garden should be on your list. Leonardslee is an English country house and landscaped woodland garden in Lower Beeding, near Horsham home to thousands of rhododendrons, azaleas, camellias, magnolias and bluebells, with the flowering season reaching its peak in May. The estate also includes a 19th-century Italianate style house and lodge.