Things to do in Sussex

Home to the South Downs National Park, the Sussex Weald and some rather stunning coastline, not to mention the bright lights of Brighton, 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.

Top Sussex attractions

1066 Country Battle in Hastings

1066 Country is the kind of place where you don't just learn about history, you live it. Visit the 1066 Country website
Arundel Wetland Centre

26 hectares of naturalised landscapes and wetland habitats, Arundel Wetlands is home to kingfishers, water voles and many hundreds of wildfowl.
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 !
Brighton Pride

If there is one thing Brighton is famous for, then it’s its proud heritage as a city of diversity, particularly diversity of sexuality.
Cycling in the South Downs

YHA South Downs is great for mountain bikers and road cyclists alike.
Fort Fun

Enjoy the thrill of the outdoor rides, or visit Rocky's Adventure Land, a huge indoor soft play area. Take your swimming costumes for the water slides and the other wet areas. Visit the Fort
Goodwood Estate

Something for everyone. Enjoy horse racing at Glorious Goodwood. Thrill to the motorsport at the Festival of Speed or the Goodwood Revival. Admire the Goodwood House over afternoon tea a
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 website
SEA LIFE Brighton

The world's oldest operating aquarium is right on the sea-front! With amazing exhibits, you can see how fish and marine creatures live beneath the waves, plus there are plenty of opportunities t
Walking and Rambling in Littlehampton

The sweeping coast line is great for anyone wanting a leisurely stroll along the beaches. On the edge of South Downs National Park, the coastal walk has lovely sand dunes and amazing natural beauty.
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
Watersports in Littlehampton

There's a whole host of watersports available nearby including surfing, sea kayaking, a windsurfing and kite surfing school and a yacht club offering sailing tuition for all abilities.
Worthing

Stroll five miles of promenade with it's art deco pier, or visit Brooklands Park with its boating lake and miniature railway.

Getting to Sussex

By train

Trains to Sussex offer a variety of destination choices. The main stations include Brighton, Chichester, Eastbourne, Hastings and Crawley. The main station in London serving Sussex is Victoria, and you can travel by train from London 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 does have 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.

Find your perfect Sussex accommodation

Plan a trip

Sussex is a large county, so it’s well worth ensuring you’ve got at least two days to explore. To help you plan your trip, we’ve picked out five locations with YHAs close by to give you some inspiration.

Eastbourne

With award-winning beaches, a beautiful coastline and a great vibe of its own, Eastbourne is Brighton's scenic sibling. And with YHA Eastbourne situated in the heart of it all, you will have everything you need to recharge after a day's exploring.

South Downs National Park

The South Downs National Park’s landscape is full of spectacular views and hidden gems, and with YHA South Downs 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 and YHA Truleigh Hill close by, Shoreham-by-Sea makes for the perfect family break.

Brighton

Brighton is famous for its vibrant atmosphere and you'll find a city with an plenty of independent shops, historcial landmarks quirky pubs and cafés. The city is also known for its nightlife and YHA Brighton is ideally positioned to enjoy clubs and bars in the area.

Littlehampton

Two breath-taking beaches, the iconic River Arun and a large harbour makes Littlehampton a popular destination for a coastal holiday. YHA Littlehampton is just 10 minutes from the beach, making it the ideal base for exploring everything this seaside town has to offer.

Best budget accommodation in Sussex

Made up of the South Downs National Park, idyllic coastal towns and a beautiful coastline to say the least, Sussex makes a great location for a seaside getaway. Choose from purpose-built hostels in Eastbourne, Brighton and Truleigh Hill, a converted English farmhouse at YHA South Downs or the harbourside location of YHA Littlehampton. You can be sure that YHA has the best budget accommodation for you.

View some of our popular Sussex blog posts