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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Place

Nymans

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

A view of the lake in summer at Sheffield Park, East Sussex. The lake is covered with lily pads and surrounded by mature trees in full leaf, with bright blue skies above. On the lake is a small boat with some voluneeers in completing maintenance work.

Place

Sheffield Park and Garden

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

Visitors scattered around over the extensive parkland at Petworth

Place

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

The East Range and North Range with the Gatehouse and bridge to Bodiam Castle, East Sussex, built between 1385 and 1388.

Place

Bodiam Castle

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

Place

Standen

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

Sheep grazing outside the east front at Bateman's, East Sussex

Place

Bateman's

Once the home of author Rudyard Kipling, celebrated for stories like The Jungle Book. Built in 1634, this Jacobean house is in the Sussex countryside.

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 tree covered in orange leaves in autumn, with the sun shining through the branches, at Wakehurst, West Sussex

Place

Wakehurst

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

The South African bed is at its most colourful in autumn.

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

Child sitting on the bench under the colourful archway in the enchanted winter garden in the Marble Hall at Petworth, West Sussex

Volunteering 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

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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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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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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.

See all events

Event

The Makers Fair

Standen House and Garden, East Grinstead, West Sussex

Meet the makers at The Makers Fair featuring high quality artists and craftspeople. Fri 13 - Sun 15 Sept, 10am - 4pm.

Event

Heritage Open Days

Bateman's, Burwash, East Sussex

Enjoy free entry to the home of Rudyard Kipling this September.

Event

Pooch Passport

Bateman's, Burwash, East Sussex

Pooch passport is back! Explore new places with your furry friend until 28 February 2025. Find out more about the scheme and discover dog-friendly places to explore together.

Event

Pooch Passport

Bodiam Castle, near Robertsbridge, East Sussex

Pooch passport is back! Explore new places with your furry friend until 28 February 2025. Find out more about the scheme and discover dog-friendly places to explore together.

Event

Signs of Autumn I Spy

Bodiam Castle, near Robertsbridge, East Sussex

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

Event

Heritage Open Days at Nymans

Nymans, near Haywards Heath, West Sussex

Join a tour of the house at 11am or 2.30pm and a garden tour at 11.30am or 2.30pm. Tours and admission to garden and house free for Heritage Open Days.