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 giant Nutcracker soldier pictured by the Dovecote

Place

Nymans

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

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

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

Spring flowers blooming on the lawn in front of the house

Place

Standen

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

The front of the house at Bateman's in winter with frosty grass

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

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

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

Dresser in the Dining Room decorated for Christmas

Houses and buildings in Sussex

Family friendly places to visit

Woodland on the eastern slope at Black Down, South Downs, West Sussex, with a carpet of fallen leaves

Countryside and woodland in Sussex

Signpost and stile on Ditchling Beacon, East Sussex

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

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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

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Christmas at Petworth House

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

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

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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

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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

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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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.

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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.

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Christmas trail at Bodiam Castle

Bodiam Castle, near Robertsbridge, East Sussex

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

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The Amazing Birling Gap GONK Trail

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

Are you up for the challenge?

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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.