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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.

Places to visit

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Top places to visit in Sussex

A magnolia tree blooms with pink flowers next to a winding pathway
Place
Place

Nymans 

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

near Haywards Heath, West Sussex

Partially open today
Mother and son at Sheffield Park and Garden, East Sussex
Place
Place

Sheffield Park and Garden 

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

Uckfield, East Sussex

Fully open today
View over the lake with surrounding trees towards the house at Petworth, West Sussex
Place
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

Petworth, West Sussex

Fully open today
The castle and catkins around the moat at Bodiam Castle, East Sussex
Place
Place

Bodiam Castle 

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

near Robertsbridge, East Sussex

Fully open today
Spring flowers blooming on the lawn in front of the house
Place
Place

Standen 

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

East Grinstead, West Sussex

Fully open today
Sandstone house and garden in a valley with wooded countryside and field with buttercups
Place
Place

Bateman's 

Jacobean house, home of Rudyard Kipling

Burwash, East Sussex

Fully open today
The cliffs in twilight at Birling Gap and the Seven Sisters, East Sussex
Place
Place

Birling Gap and the Seven Sisters 

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

near Eastbourne, East Sussex

Fully open today
An autumn sunset reflecting golden light on the red bricks of Uppark House
Place
Place

Uppark 

Uppark is currently closed for essential repairs until summer 2025.

Petersfield, West Sussex

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

Wakehurst 

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

Haywards Heath, West Sussex

Fully open today

What's on for families in Sussex

Children in the garden following an Easter trail

Easter adventures in Sussex 

Get ready for an Easter adventure packed with family-friendly activities and trails at 8 National Trust places in Sussex. Discover Springfest activities at Nymans and a duck trail at Sheffield Park and Garden. Join the dragon egg-stravaganza at Bodiam Castle. Plus there's a new Spring Festival of delights at Petworth.

Film locations in Sussex

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

Beaches and coast in Sussex

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
Article
Article

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
Article
Article

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.

Castles in Sussex

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
Article

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.

Places to stay in Sussex

The exterior of Woodlands Cottage, nr Haywards Heath, Sussex

Woodlands Cottage 

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

The exterior of The Morris Apartment within Standen House, West Sussex

The Morris Apartment 

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

Our work

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

Project
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.

Upcoming events

Event

Signs of Spring I Spy 

Bodiam Castle, near Robertsbridge, East Sussex

Look out for spring wildlife as you explore the landscape around Bodiam Castle.

Event summary

on
29 Mar to 24 May 2024
at
10:00 to 15:30
+ 56 other dates or times
Event

Easter egg hunt at Bodiam Castle 

Bodiam Castle, near Robertsbridge, East Sussex

This spring, treat the whole family to a world of adventure at Bodiam Castle on an Easter trail.

Event summary

on
29 Mar to 14 Apr 2024
at
10:00 to 16:00
+ 16 other dates or times
Event

Easter egg hunt at Devil's Dyke 

Devil's Dyke, Nr Brighton, West Sussex

This spring, treat the whole family to a world of adventure at Devil's Dyke on an Easter trail.

Event summary

on
29 Mar to 1 Apr 2024
at
10:00 to 16:00
+ 3 other dates or times
Event

Easter egg hunt at Birling Gap 

Birling Gap and the Seven Sisters, near Eastbourne, East Sussex

This spring, treat the whole family to a world of adventure at Birling Gap on an Easter trail.

Event summary

on
29 Mar to 14 Apr 2024
at
10:00 to 16:00
+ 16 other dates or times
Event

Easter Egg Trail at Standen 

Standen House and Garden, East Grinstead, West Sussex

This spring, treat the whole family to a world of adventure at Standen on an Easter trail. Sat 23 March 2024 - Sun 14 April 2024: 10am - 4.30pm.

Event summary

on
29 Mar to 14 Apr 2024
at
10:00 to 16:30
+ 16 other dates or times
Event

Easter egg hunt at Bateman's 

Bateman's, Burwash, East Sussex

This spring, treat the whole family to a world of adventure at Bateman's on an Easter trail.

Event summary

on
29 Mar to 14 Apr 2024
at
10:00 to 16:30
+ 16 other dates or times
Event

Festival of Blossom 

Nymans, near Haywards Heath, West Sussex

Visit Nymans for this year’s Festival of Blossom where we'll be highlighting the best displays around the garden.

Event summary

on
29 Mar to 28 Apr 2024
at
10:00 to 17:00
+ 30 other dates or times
Event

Easter Egg Hunt at Sheffield Park and Garden 

Sheffield Park and Garden, Uckfield, East Sussex

Take a flight of imagination on Sheffield Park and Garden's duck-themed Easter trail as you duck and dive around the gardens taking in fresh bursts of colour from vibrant yellow daffodils to spectacular pink rhododendrons.

Event summary

on
29 Mar to 14 Apr 2024
at
10:00 to 17:00
+ 16 other dates or times
Visitors walking among daffodils at Dora's Field, Ambleside, Cumbria

Where will you visit next?

Discover lots of gardens, historic houses, days out at the coast and more.