What to do on Your West Sussex Holiday
With lovely old towns, plenty of beaches and simply stunning countryside, West Sussex is an excellent place for a holiday. There’s a lot to do in this historic English county, from rural walks to wine tasting. Here are just a few of our favourite things to do in West Sussex.
West Sussex’s beautiful beaches
West Sussex is famous for its coastline, and if you want a seaside holiday, this is an excellent place to come. There’s a really diverse range of beaches here, from the seaside resorts of Littlehampton and Bognor Regis to the windswept, dog-friendly sands of Middleton-on-Sea.
Head for Bracklesham for watersports and Selsey for the seafood and of course, everyone visits beautiful West Wittering with its famous row of beach huts and paddle-friendly lagoons. East Wittering is a bit quieter and has fabulous sand flats at low tide.
If you want to be close to the sea on your Sussex holiday, you won’t get much closer than this: the luxurious Angmering on Sea Beach House is actually on the beach itself!
Walking in West Sussex
Home to the South Downs National Park and 50 miles of coastline, West Sussex is excellent walking country. The South Downs Way is a 100-mile route which passes through wonderfully varied countryside between Winchester and Eastbourne. West Sussex boasts almost half of this famous National Trail, with 48 miles of managed pathway.
As you’d expect from a coastal county, there are also lots of wonderfully bracing seaside walks. Try this circular walk from East Head that takes in Chichester Harbour. Inland walking highlights in West Sussex include Ditchling Beacon, Tilgate Forest and Devil’s Dyke.
Fern Lodge is in the South Downs and makes an excellent base for a walking holiday. Your dog can even join you on your walkies!
Heritage attractions in West Sussex
For a truly grand day out, visit the magnificent Arundel Castle and Gardens. The medieval castle was restored and reimagined in the late 19th century, creating one of the most impressive pieces of Victorian Gothic architecture in Britain. Look out for spectacular events such as jousting tournaments and open-air theatre.
If you’d like a different insight into historic West Sussex, explore the Weald and Downland Living Museum, with its painstaking recreations of traditional rural buildings. And yes, it is where they film BBC’s much-loved programme, The Repair Shop. County town Chichester has lots of charming old buildings, as well as the beautiful medieval cathedral.
Find out more about the area’s industrial history at Amberley Museum (don’t miss the steam train rides) or visit the fascinating Tangmere Military Aviation Museum in a former RAF airfield.
The Cottage at North Mundham House is just a couple of miles from historic Chichester, set in pretty farmland and with a shared swimming pool.
West Sussex with your family
We’ve already looked at several family holiday staples (beaches, walks, steam trains) – what else is there to do with the kids in West Sussex? Tulleys Farm has something for a whole range of ages, from the playground to the escape rooms and they also host a drive-in cinema. There’s a Nature Centre in the heart of Tilgate Park in Crawley and lots of animals to meet at Fishers Farm Park.
Go bird spotting along the accessible paths of Arundel Wetland Centre or watch a display at West Sussex Falconry Centre. There are plenty of opportunities to try your hand at water spots like sailing and windsurfing in West Sussex, or hire bikes to enjoy the county’s many trails.
Food and drink in West Sussex
For a fabulous choice of restaurants, bars and cafes, try Chichester, Worthing and Arundel, or if you love a cosy pub, explore the many pretty villages in the South Downs. Sussex is famous for its seafood: don’t leave without trying at least one of the famous “Seven good things of Sussex”. These seven culinary delicacies are mentioned in a traditional poem and the list includes Selsey cockles, Chichester lobster, and Amberley trout.
However, West Sussex is getting something of a reputation as a wine-growing region (perfect with all that seafood) and you can take a tour of the gorgeous vineyards at Tinwood Estate. Pick up a bottle of their delectable English sparkling wine to enjoy in your holiday cottage hot tub, (Silhouette’s Stable has a delightful outdoor dining area complete with BBQ and hot tub – perfect for a splash of bubbly).
Book your luxury holiday cottage in West Sussex
Does West Sussex sound like your kind of place? Take a look at our collection of luxury holiday cottages in East and West Sussex, and book your next holiday today.
