Skip to content

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

0

Top places to visit in Sussex

A giant Nutcracker soldier pictured by the Dovecote
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
View across the bridge at Sheffield Park, East Sussex, on a sunny spring day with clear blue skies above the mature trees in full leaf in all shades of green and burnt orange. A group of geese and ducks can be seen on the water's edge.
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
The front of the house at Bateman's in winter with frosty grass
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 

A tranquil 17th-century house set within intimate gardens and woodland.

Petersfield, West Sussex

Fully open today
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 this Christmas in Sussex

Three giant nutcracker soldiers standing guard at Nymans in West Sussex
Article
Article

A Nutcracker Christmas at Nymans 

Explore The Nutcracker at Nymans this Christmas, with costumes from Matthew Bourne's production Nutcracker!, a trail in the garden and a house sumptuously decorated for a fairy tale Christmas. From Saturday 18 November until Monday 1 January 2024, 10am - 4pm.

Children on the sleigh at a Christmas trail
Article
Article

Christmas at Sheffield Park and Garden 

Take a winter wander around the garden with the enchanting Mouse and Mole as you join in their irrepressible excitement for the festive season and help them prepare for Christmas.

The enchanted winter forest in the Marble Hall at Petworth, West Sussex
Article
Article

Christmas at Petworth House 

Explore Petworth House, festively decorated with Christmas trees, and don't miss choirs and a magical late opening.

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

Meet Father Christmas on our Tale of Betwixtmass experience 

Standen House and Garden, East Grinstead, West Sussex

Be greeted by our Christmas elf when you begin your festive adventure with us. Listen as she tells the tale of the magical world of Betwixtmass, then follow an immersive audio trail to see Father Christmas in his cosy woodland home.

Event summary

on
2 Dec to 23 Dec 2023
at
09:00 to 10:30
+ 83 other dates or times
Event

Christmas with Mouse and Mole: Children's Felt Making Workshop at Sheffield Park, Sat 2nd Dec 

Sheffield Park and Garden, Uckfield, East Sussex

Get in the festive spirit with our Christmas felting workshop with the help of local art group, So Sussex.

Event summary

on
2 Dec 2023
at
10:00 to 12:30
Event

Christmas trail at Bodiam Castle 

Bodiam Castle, near Robertsbridge, East Sussex

Find the Christmas presents hidden around the medieval castle on this festive trail.

Event summary

on
2 Dec 2023 to 1 Jan 2024
at
10:00 to 14:30
+ 28 other dates or times
Event

The Amazing Birling Gap GONK Trail 

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

Are you up for the challenge?

Event summary

on
2 Dec 2023 to 2 Jan 2024
at
10:00 to 15:00
+ 31 other dates or times
Event

A Bodiam Castle Christmas 

Bodiam Castle, near Robertsbridge, East Sussex

Enjoy a magical Christmas at Bodiam Castle. With trees lining the courtyard, twinkling lights all around and atmospheric tower rooms, immerse yourself in the festive spirit.

Event summary

on
2 Dec 2023 to 1 Jan 2024
at
10:00 to 15:00
+ 28 other dates or times
Event

Winter spotter sheet 

Bodiam Castle, near Robertsbridge, East Sussex

Get the kids out and active this winter with a spotter sheet of wildlife to look out for at Bodiam Castle.

Event summary

on
2 Dec 2023 to 9 Feb 2024
at
10:00 to 15:00
+ 69 other dates or times
Event

Christmas Travels with the Kiplings Trail 

Bateman's, Burwash, East Sussex

Explore Bateman's as a family this Christmas and discover which countries the Kipling family celebrated the festive period in.

Event summary

on
2 Dec 2023 to 1 Jan 2024
at
10:00 to 15:30
+ 30 other dates or times
Event

Christmas Wishes Family Trail 

Standen House and Garden, East Grinstead, West Sussex

A festive activities trail for all the family.

Event summary

on
2 Dec 2023 to 1 Jan 2024
at
10:00 to 15:30
+ 30 other dates or times
Visitors at the Christmas market at Waddesdon Manor, Buckinghamshire

Where will you visit next?

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