Rated Things to Do in Sussex

The most westerly urban area in Sussex, the pleasant cathedral city of Chichester is a superb place to visit for those who enjoy exploring historical landmarks without the crowds found in destinations such as Canterbury or Cambridge.

Enjoying a ride aboard the British Airways i360 is another of the many fun things to do in Sussex. Standing tall on Brighton's lovely seafront, the world's first vertical cable car stands 531 feet high and offers superb views over the sea and the town.

A pleasant 15-minute drive north of Battle, and you'll find yourself in the small Sussex village of Bodiam. Here, surrounded by a large moat, stands Bodiam Castle, one of the most romantic old fortresses in England.

A pretty 20-minute drive from Hastings seafront and one of the nicest small towns in Sussex, Battle is famous as the location where William the Conqueror beat the English in 1066 and cemented his claim to the throne.

The views from the top back over Eastbourne and the Channel are simply stunning, and make the at-times-steep climb well worthwhile. If the walk seems a little daunting, you can take the scenic Beachy Head Road to the top where there's ample parking with easy access to the trails.

Now part of South Downs National Park, England's newest national park, you'll first see Beachy Head from the beachfront in Eastbourne. Rising up out of the English Channel and dominating the west end of the town, this huge 530-foot-tall white cliff looks even better after you've climbed it.

Situated close to the Kent/Sussex border, the small town of Rye is famous for its many charming and well-preserved medieval and Tudor buildings. Once an important port, the cobblestone streets are fun to wander on foot, offering something interesting to look at every step of the way.

This picture-perfect structure dominates the small town after which it's named, and while much of what you see was added centuries after its original construction, its medieval roots remain very much intact.

Located between Brighton train station and the town's seafront, The Lanes are a lot of fun to explore. These usually busy alleyways date back to the 17th century and are lined with old townhomes and cottages that today serve as fashion boutiques, art galleries, and eateries.

Nestled between East Hill and West Hill, start your exploration on All Saints Street. Almost directly opposite the Hastings Contemporary art gallery, All Saints Street features a fascinating mix of old timber-framed homes, historic inns, and former shop buildings from different periods, some dating back as far as the 1400s.