West Sussex Things to Do

  The Jubilee Oak Tree
by alancollins
 
  • The Jubilee Oak Tree
      The Jubilee Oak Tree
    by alancollins
  • The Jubilee Oak Tree In the distance
      The Jubilee Oak Tree In the distance
    by alancollins
  •   Things to Do
    by Acirfa
  •   Things to Do
    by Acirfa
  •   Things to Do
    by Acirfa
 
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Arundel

by leffe3

Market town some 10 miles to the east of Chichester and less than 50 miles southwest of London, Arundel and its magnificent castle is the seat of the Duke of Norfolk, the most powerful catholic family in England for centuries.The castle dominates the town, overlooking the picturesque centre, the banks of the river Arun and the surrounding countryside. Other attractions include the 19th century cathedral, the Wetlands Centre, the remains of Blackfriars Abbey and the superb surrounding countryside. But its also less than 15 minutes to the coast.(See separate Arundel page)

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The Downs Link

by Acirfa

A 59 kilometre (37 mile) route, open to walkers, horse riders and cyclists managed by West Sussex and Surrey County Councils and Waverley Borough Council.This route follows an old railway line and is accessable in areas by car or train.I have spent many a leisurely hour both cycling and walking this stretch of countryside and lapping up what beauty this part of England has to offer.

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Nymans

by leffe3

Nymans is a spectacular garden made the more romantic by the backdrop of the ruins of the 14th century Manor. In an area renowned for its gardens (the Sussex Weald), Nymans stands out, thanks to the efforts of the Messel family, for more than 100 years between 1892 and 1992, who owned the house and grounds. The landscaping and layout owes its particular splendour to Leonard and Maud Messel who inherited the property in 1915 and their three children. Following the tragic fire that virtually destroyed the house in 1947, Nymans passed into the hands of the National Trust in 1953, although the family continued to be involved in the upkeep of the gardens.The garden is laid out in a series of 'rooms', with the different levels connected by stone steps or grassy slopes, separated by hedges, walls or trees which provide shelter for the rare and exotic plants for which the garden is renowned. The...

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Bognor Regis

by leffe3

In spite of its long history and association with royalty (hence Regis added to its Saxon name in 1929 by King George V), the seaside resort of Bognor became the butt of many a joke in the 70s, not only because of its name (bog-nor) but because it became the site of one of the first Butlins holiday camps.Renewal of Butlins in the last decade has seen luxury hotels and an indoor leisure park built, providing the resort with a new lease of life. The International Bognor Birdman - the annual competition for human-powered 'flying' machines – is held at the end of the pier and genteel buildings from its 19th century heyday and urban renewal provide some respite from the 'end of the pier' reputation the town has.It's less than 6 miles to the east of Chichester, but its proximity to more celebrated resorts such as Worthing (10 miles) and Brighton (24 miles) has resulted in Bognor being very...

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Chichester

by leffe3

Main market town of the region as well as a cathedral city, Chichester has been settled since the Roman times when it was known as Noviomagus Reginorum. With its natural harbour (now silted and therefore used primarily for sailing and other leisure pursuits), it was a safe landing place and believed to have been the landing spot for the original Roman invasion. It has continued to be of importance – the chief city of the Kingdom of Sussex in the Anglo-Saxon period and the building of a cathedral in the 12th century confirmed its importance.Nowadays, it may have lost its importance as a major city, but nevertheless it is the main market and service town to the region - in addition to the cathedral, its weekly market, main pedestrianised central streets, it has a highly respected theatre (Festival Theatre which has launched many a career) and a fairly large University of Chichester. It's...

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Selsey

by leffe3

The closest open sea beach to Chichester is approx 15 miles to the south and Selsey. Pebble and shingle (so typical of the south coast) is the order of the day. Its a long sweep of beach, with the western part safest and therefore most developed (a number of caravan parks stretch along the shore), but to the east of the High Street is much more residential (my sister and family included), the groyns protecting the movement of shingle.It's an OK village with a few pubs and a couple of restaurants but is not the most picturesque of places in the neighbourhood of Chichester.Storms and lack of investment in sea protection are having their effect as the sea walls are breached by the pounding seas. The sea walls are in bad shape in some places.

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Bosham

by leffe3

An historic coastal village, Bosham (pronounced Bozem) is to be found a few miles west of the city of Chichester on an inlet of Chichester Harbour. Rich in history, it is nowadays primarily known for its sailing, located as it is within the relatively safe waters of the Harbour.A settlement has been here since Roman times, close as it is to Chichester and the Roman Palace at Fishbourne, and it is also mentioned in the text of the 11th century Bayeaux tapestry. The Holy Trinity Church in the village is also believed by some to be the burial place of King Harold, he who copped an arrow in his eye at the Battle of Hastings and who is the only English monarch whose final remains' whereabouts are unknown (Waltham Abbey just outside London is believed to be the last resting place but there is no certain proof). A request to exhume a grave in the churchyard was turned down in 2004.Nowadays, its...

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Lancing College and it's Chapel

by Acirfa

Lancing college founded in 1848, initially a school for charitable cases, the agricultural and seafaring workforce. Lancing, Hurstpierpoint and Ardingly all bear the name of Revd Nathaniel Woodard, who founded these schools plus 8 others which were and remain grounded in the Christian faith.

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Ditchling's Downs Walking Trail

by Acirfa

This walk has an ascent of 600ft, there are 8 stiles, plenty of rolling South Downs plus a steep ascent and descent. Ditchling has been a settlement for the likes of Dame Vera Lynn, Sir Donald Sinden and even the father of 'The snowman' lives here. The man who created the London underground logo lived here too.The Church is built of flint, when strolling the downs you will notice how prevalent this material is.Our walk took us first on a steep climb up to Ditchling Beacon. During winter this is an extremely windy place but in Spring and Summer, the views are spectacular as is to be expected as at this place, you reach the third highest point of the South Downs, looking far into the distance of Ashdown Forest and the North Downs. It was used, as it's name suggests, to warn of the approach of the Spanish Armada back in 1588, by lighting fires.After stopping off at the Beacon to lap up a...

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LOXWOOD walk - London's Lost Route to the Sea

by Acirfa

This walk is just 4.5 miles (7.2 km) and very pleasant. It takes about 2 hours and has the lovely Wey and Arun Canal running through it.A little about the canal: The Wey and Arun Canal is presently being restored, 23 miles of it, between Shalford and Pallingham, it was built over 200 years ago, completed in 1816 and it links 3000 miles of inland waterways with the English Channel.This canal ran for over 50 years, transporting mainly coal from Arundel to Guildford, also chalk, lime, timber and farm produce.Starting in 1824 and continuing for 14 years, bullion was taken from Portsmouth to the Bank of England via this route, guarded all the way be Redcoats. It was like most waterways, the introduction of the train that became it's downfall and there is a section of this particular canal that was used in the Second World War for target practice by the Canadians.Already 11 locks, 24 bridges...

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Fun things to do in West Sussex

Top 3 Hotels in West Sussex

Premier Inn Arundel  Arundel

 45 Opinions

 Hotels in Arundel

Chichester Park Hotel  Chichester

 1 Review and 96 Opinions  Pretty characterless hotel on an industrial estate east of the city centre. Too far out to walk.... 

 Hotels in Chichester

Arora International Gatwick  Crawley

 1 Review and 447 Opinions  Stayed here for one night following flight into Gatwick, booked it prior to visit following... 

 Hotels in Crawley

134 Hotels in West Sussex
 
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Reviews and photos of West Sussex attractions posted by real travelers and locals. The best tips for West Sussex sightseeing.

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Things to Do: Cities in West Sussex
  1. Bognor Regis Things to Do
  2. Chichester Things to Do
  3. Crawley Things to Do
  4. Worthing Things to Do
  5. Arundel Things to Do
  6. East Grinstead Things to Do
  7. Littlehampton Things to Do
  8. West Horsham Things to Do
  9. Steyning Things to Do
  10. Shoreham-by-Sea Things to Do
  11. Sompting Things to Do

More Cities in West Sussex

 

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