Sussex

Sussex is a place of beautiful coastline, gardens, literary greats, rolling South Downs, vast art collections and a castle. Discover what to see and do and plan a day out to remember.

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Forecourt Garden in full summer at Nymans

Place

Nymans

A garden lovers' home for all seasons, with an extensive yet intimate garden set around a romantic house and ruins.

View from First Bridge towards Middle Lake at Sheffield Park East Sussex

Place

Sheffield Park and Garden

Acres of Grade I listed landscaped garden and lakes, surrounded by historic parkland and woodland

View over the lake with surrounding trees towards the house at Petworth, West Sussex

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Petworth

A magnificent 17th-century house displaying one of the finest art collections in the care of the National Trust, nestled in a 700-acre deer park

Bridge over the moat to the castle in summer at Bodiam Castle, East Sussex

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Bodiam Castle

Step into history at Bodiam Castle. This 14th-century moated castle with a ruined interior features spiral staircases, battlements and a portcullis.

Standen in the summer with flowering herbaceous borders

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Standen

Arts and Crafts family home with Morris & Co. interiors, set in a beautiful hillside garden

Grass field in the foreground with Bateman's house in the background.

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Bateman's

The family home of world-famous writer Rudyard Kipling, known for The Jungle Book and Just So Stories. Built in 1634, this Jacobean house is in the Sussex countryside.

The cliffs in twilight at Birling Gap and the Seven Sisters, East Sussex

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Birling Gap and the Seven Sisters

A popular coastal hub, where the South Downs meet the sea

Curved borders with flowers in bloom, lawns and trees at Uppark, West Sussex

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Uppark

Uppark is currently closed for essential repairs until summer 2025.

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Wakehurst

Wild botanic garden, managed by Kew and home to the Millennium Seed Bank

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Lamb House

Celebrating 300 years of history and literary connections in a stunning Georgian house

Purple wisteria in bloom and flowering over the pergola on the croquet lawn

Family friendly places to visit

A view of the ruins of the old house in Nymans Garden, West Sussex

Houses and buildings in Sussex

Public footpath signpost at Devil's Dyke, West Sussex

Countryside and woodland in Sussex

Signpost and stile on Ditchling Beacon, East Sussex

Take a magical wander inspired by Moominvalley with a family trail at Nymans. Spot seven characters from the Moomin stories, hiding around the garden, 3 May to 13 July. Build a den in the Play Glade, hide in the woodland cabin, explore the garden at leisure and picnic anywhere you like.

‘Petworth: Sunset over the Lake, with the Boathouse’, 1827, Joseph Mallord William Turner.

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Turner’s Vision at Petworth exhibition

21 June – 16 November: for the first time in over twenty years, a selection of JMW Turner’s studies of Petworth’s extraordinary landscape are exhibited in the very place that inspired him. Discover more about Turner’s experiments with colour, use of materials and artistic vision, in this 250th anniversary celebration of the artist’s birth. Normal admission plus adult £10, child £5 (including National Trust members).

An illustration from How to Train Your Dragon. Including Hiccup riding a dragon against a red scale background.

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How to train your dragon at Bodiam Castle

Until 7 September: Join Hiccup and Toothless the dragon on an adventure around Bodiam Castle. Let your imagination run wild and channel your inner Viking as you pick up tips and tricks to master the art of dragon training. Discover different dragon species, learn the forgotten language of Dragonese, find out gruesome facts about Vikings – and so much more! Do you have what it takes to become a dragon trainer?

The floating pontoon on Middle Lake surrounded by waterlilies at Sheffield Park and Garden

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Lakes and Lilies Festival at Sheffield Park and Garden

Throughout the summer: The waterlilies take centre stage as the lakes burst with colour during the summer. Walk along the pontoon to experience 360 degree views of the bright blooms and buzzing dragonflies. Join Summer Evening openings, book a photography workshop or paddleboarding session and follow the Exotic Spots Family Trail. Relax with a picnic as you listen to live music or have a go at Kwik cricket.

An illustration of a Pete the badger from the book Tidy by Emily Gravett

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Emily Gravett’s Tidy Trail at Bateman’s

Until 31 August: Join Pete the Badger and his friends at Bateman’s for a fun-filled summer adventure. Whether you're a super organiser or a little on the messy side, this family trail is perfect for everyone. Step right into Pete’s story as he cleans and tidies up the forest, maybe a bit too much! Help Pete and his woodland friends bring the beauty of nature back to life. This family trail is packed with activities and games for the whole family including, wheelbarrow racing, and more!

Ghost Written: an exhibition at Lamb House

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Ghost Written: An Exhibition

This exhibition explores the written heritage of Lamb House, home to some of the leading literary voices of the 20th century, through its ghost stories. 28 February - 22 December.

Discover shifting sands, salt marshes and a vibrant coastal hub on the Sussex coast.

Woman walking her dog on the beach, with chalk cliffs behind, at Birling Gap, East USsex

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Birling Gap and the Seven Sisters

Discover what to see and do at Birling Gap and the Seven Sisters. Fossil hunt on the beach, walk on the historic downland or enjoy the views as you spot birds.

Two people walking across the sand at East Head in West Sussex with the rough wooden posts of an old groyne in the foreground and the sea sparkling in the distance

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The beach at East Head

Explore East Head beach. With space to play, scenic walks and interesting wildlife to discover, there's lots to see and do at this popular spot.

Sussex is home to one of the National Trust's top castles.

Visitors walk around in the open-air centre of Bodiam Castle, East Sussex

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Bodiam Castle

With its full moat, original wooden portcullis, murder holes, spiral staircases and battlements, a visit to Bodiam Castle provides a glimpse back in time to the 14th century. Enough of the interior ruins survive to give an impression of castle life, and on selected dates, look out for tours, talks, armour demonstrations and family trails to find out more about the people who lived and worked here.

Woodlands Cottage

This gamekeeper’s cottage is surrounded by woodland on the Nymans estate.

The Morris Apartment

A one-bedroom apartment in trademark Arts and Crafts style, on the second floor of Standen House.

Find out about the conservation, biodiversity, community, wildlife and nature work taking place in Sussex

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Changing Chalk partnership

The South Downs have been a place to live, work and play for thousands of years. Together we can make sure they will be enjoyed for thousands more. Learn how the projects of the Changing Chalk partnership, led by the National Trust, are restoring lost habitats, bringing histories to life, and providing new outdoor experiences across the eastern South Downs, and discover how you can get involved.

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Supporter groups in Sussex

National Trust supporter groups across Sussex help to raise funds for places like Nymans and Sheffield Park, while also getting together for days out, talks and volunteering.

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Event

How to Train Your Dragon trail at Bodiam Castle

Bodiam Castle, near Robertsbridge, East Sussex

Join Hiccup and Toothless the dragon on an adventure around Bodiam Castle!

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Wild and Wonderful Sculpture: Alison Catchlove

Standen House and Garden, East Grinstead, West Sussex

Weds 4 Jun - Thurs 10 Jul: 10am - 4pm. An exhibition of flora and fauna metal sculptures by Alison Catchlove.

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Emily Gravett’s Tidy Trail at Bateman’s

Bateman's, Burwash, East Sussex

Join Pete the Badger and his friends at Bateman’s for a fun-filled summer adventure.

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Moomins

Nymans, near Haywards Heath, West Sussex

3 May to 13 July 2025: 10am - 5pm. Nymans invites you to take a magical wander inspired by Moominvalley this spring, with a family trail around the garden, meeting characters from the Moomin stories.

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Stand Up Paddleboarding (SUP)

Sheffield Park and Garden, Uckfield, East Sussex

Get a ducks-eye-view of Sheffield Park this summer when you take to the water on a paddleboard! Moxie Unleashed are offering fun-filled SUP sessions for complete beginners through to experienced paddlers. For prices please visit moxieunleashed.com

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Summer of Play

Standen House and Garden, East Grinstead, West Sussex

Sat 5 Jul - Sun 7 Sept: 10am - 4pm. Explore the garden, its hidden corners and winding hillside paths, play in Adventure Corner and discover activities in the woodland den.

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Lakes & Lilies Festival| From 14 June and throughout the summer

Sheffield Park and Garden, Uckfield, East Sussex

Sheffield Park & Garden’s picturesque lakes burst with colour during the summer. From jewel-like waterlilies to swathes of wildflowers or explosions of rhododendrons. Lakes & Lilies is a celebration of this with activities for all-ages.