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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A view across the lawn towards the house in springtime

Place

Nymans

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

Mother and son at Sheffield Park and Garden, 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

Place

Petworth

A magnificent Treasure House displaying one of the finest art collections in the care of the National Trust, nestled in a 700-acre deer park

The castle and catkins around the moat at Bodiam Castle, East Sussex

Place

Bodiam Castle

Archetypal 14th century moated castle with ruined interior - a glimpse of medieval splendour

Place

Standen

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

Sandstone house and garden in a valley with wooded countryside and field with buttercups

Place

Bateman's

Jacobean house, home of Rudyard Kipling

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

Place

Birling Gap and the Seven Sisters

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

An autumn sunset reflecting golden light on the red bricks of Uppark House

Place

Uppark

Uppark is currently closed for essential repairs until summer 2025.

A view across the lake to the Elizabethan mansion on a sunny day at Wakehurst, framed by blossom in the foreground

Place

Wakehurst

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

Family friendly places to visit

Pink magnolias in front of Nymans house on a sunny day.

Houses and buildings in Sussex

Winter sunrise on the footpath around Cissbury Ring, West Sussex

Countryside and woodland in Sussex

Signpost and stile on Ditchling Beacon, East Sussex

Family-friendly places to visit in Sussex

Find a family adventure to spark the imagination in Sussex this spring, including Nymans, Bodiam Castle, Petworth and more. Discover the best natural play areas, winter walks and cosy cafés.

Ridley Scott directs Joaquin Phoenix on the set of Napoleon (2023)

Article

Filming Napoleon at Petworth House

Discover how Petworth House provided an authentic backdrop to the drama in Ridley Scott's epic film Napoleon (2023).

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

People and dogs on wet sand at the beach, with chalk cliffs behind, at Birling Gap, East Sussex

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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

Article

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

A former game keeper’s house, this classically-styled cottage is surrounded by woodland.

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

Project

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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