Sussex area guide
Things to do in Sussex
Home to the South Downs National Park, the Sussex Weald and some stunning coastline, the county of Sussex makes a great location for a holiday full of culture, nightlife and beautiful scenery. Here’s our guide to making the most of a trip to the South East.
Choose from a purpose-built hostel in Truleigh Hill, a converted English farmhouse at YHA South Downs or the harbourside location of Littlehampton. You can be sure that YHA has the best budget accommodation for you.
Best things to do in Sussex
Beachy Head and the Seven Sisters
Visit Beachy Head and the Seven Sisters with their dramatic white cliffs and gently undulating downs.
Bluebell Railway
Take a journey back in time, this heritage steam railway runs through the glorious Sussex countryside - a great day out. Visit the Bluebell Railway website
Brighton i360
Enjoy a sky-high perspective of Brighton with a trip to the world’s tallest moving observation tower, the i360! With sweeping 360 degree views from a futuristic glass pod, you’ll be able to admire the...
Cycling in the South Downs
YHA South Downs is great for mountain bikers and road cyclists alike. The hostel benefits from a cycle rack and repair equipment to keep your bike in excellent condition while you're cycling the...
Firle Beacon and Cuckmere Haven self-guided walking route
A stunning long route with amazing views, beautiful rivers, beaches, coast path and interesting towns and villages.
Harbour Park Littlehampton
Enjoy a selection of family rides and attractions at one of the finest beach amusement parks on the South Coast. Visit the Harbour Park website
Nav & Natter social walk from YHA South Downs
Sunday 13th September 2026 Distance: 5.3 miles (8.4 km) Duration: 5 hours Led by: Cathy Ford, Heads Up Adventures Skills and confidence A stunning walking loop heading over the River Ouse and into...
Rodmell accessible self-guided walking route
A gentle walk alongside the River Ouse and through Sussex villages with views of the South Downs and chalk cliffs near Lewes. Look out for reminders of the area's industrial past.
SEA LIFE Brighton
The world's oldest operating aquarium is right on the seafront! With amazing exhibits, you can see how fish and marine creatures live beneath the waves, plus there are plenty of opportunities to get...
Swanborough Hill and Lewes self-guided walking route
A varied route with stunning views from the South Downs Way before passing through historic Lewes and back alongside the River Ouse on the Egrets Way.
Walking and Rambling in Truleigh Hill
If you're planning on staying at YHA Truleigh Hill, why not download a free map and get out exploring? All our self-guided walks start and end at a YHA hostel and are graded so that you can explore...
Worthing
Stroll five miles of promenade with it's art deco pier, or visit Brooklands Park with its boating lake and miniature railway.
Transport in Sussex
By train
Trains to Sussex offer a variety of destination choices. The main stations include Brighton, Chichester, Eastbourne, Hastings and Crawley. The main London station serving Sussex is Victoria with routes to Brighton in 50 minutes.
By bus
Regular National Express coach services operate in and around the county of Sussex from across the UK.
By plane
All the major London airports are within easy reach of Sussex, with Gatwick airport being the closest. So getting to Sussex from anywhere in the world can be easy. Brighton has its own airport which is a 10-mile journey from Brighton city centre.
By car
Travelling by car to Sussex is stress free thanks to the network of major roads, including the M1 and M25. Many of our hostels have on-site parking available.
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Must-see Sussex locations
South Downs National Park
The South Downs National Park’s landscape is full of spectacular views and hidden gems. And with a YHA hostel situated right on the South Downs Way, you can enjoyed everything the area has to offer with no stress of finding the right accommodation.
Shoreham-by-Sea
The vibrant seaside town of Shoreham-by-Sea sits on the Sussex coast, with the beautiful South Downs National Park as a backdrop. With masses to enjoy, Shoreham-by-Sea makes for the perfect family break.
Popular blog posts about Sussex
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Unplug, unwind and reconnect: 6 wellbeing escapes in the UK with YHA
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