With national park scenery, a gorgeous coastline, Roman ruins and dozens of chocolate-box towns and villages, West Sussex is a wonderful county to explore (and I’m not just saying that as a proud resident).
It’s near enough to London for a day trip, but equally has enough to keep you busy on a week’s holiday (or longer). If you’re thinking of paying a visit, read on for a local’s guide to the best things to do in West Sussex – with kids, with friends or with family – from South Downs walks and antiquing in Petworth to family fun at Fishers Farm Park.
Browse Petworth’s antique shops
The hilltop town of Petworth is one of those quintessential English villages, complete with cobbled streets, a pretty central square overlooked by a church, and a National Trust property to tour.
It’s a bit of a haven for antiques hunters, with a slew of lovely shops to potter around. Don’t miss the covered antiques market, where dozens of traders set up their wares – everything from old coins and vintage toy cars to beautiful pieces of furniture. (And it’s a great place to rifle for fabulous vintage clothes and accessories if you’re heading for Goodwood Revival.)
There are also a handful of art galleries – including the lovely Newlands House Gallery, set in a handsome Georgian townhouse – which are worth a visit.
Stop for lunch at the Hungry Guest Deli, where goodies include Sussex cheeses, local chutneys and the most delicious chocolate brownies you’ll ever taste. There are a few stools to perch at in the store, but if the weather’s nice, take away and enjoy a picnic in nearby Petworth Park.
Visit a National Trust property
The National Trust owns some standout properties, parks and countryside in West Sussex.
Petworth House (a 17th-century house filled with artworks, plus parkland designed by Capability Brown and roamed by fallow deer) is a favourite, as is Nymans (a romantically ruined manor house with glorious gardens). Uppark isn’t as well-known, but it is worth a visit, especially around Christmas time when the house is beautifully decorated. And Standen House is a must for anyone into Arts & Crafts (or interior design generally).
Historic houses aside, spots to add to your list of things to do in West Sussex include:
- Woolbeding Gardens (just perfect on a sunny summer’s day – just note the limited opening times, and make sure you book in advance to get a spot on the complimentary park-and-ride minibus from Midhurst)
- Wakehurst, managed by the team behind Kew Gardens
- Devil’s Dyke, described by John Constable as the ‘grandest view in the world’
- Cissbury Ring, site of an ancient hill fort and also boasting photo-worthy views
Find all opening times and price information on the National Trust website.
Attend an event at Goodwood
Goodwood Revival, the Festival of Speed, Glorious Goodwood (aka the Qatar Goodwood Festival) – this historic West Sussex estate has a fantastic calendar of events. You’ll need to get in early for tickets to the big ones, but there are also smaller goings-on, including regular summer horse racing, live music events and car meets (usually members only).
They also have an aerodrome where you can book flights in vintage planes (including Spitfires), a café overlooking the airfield (ideal for plane-obsessed kids), and a highly rated restaurant, Farmer, Butcher, Chef. I’d highly recommend afternoon tea in 17th-century Goodwood House. The food, the interiors, the art… it’s exactly what you’d want for a special occasion.
Find out more about Goodwood estate and events.Â
Take the kids to Fishers Farm Park
Fishers Farm Park is hands-down one of the best things to do in West Sussex with kids. There’s so much to do here, from rides and slides to farm shows and animal petting.
The rides aren’t white-knuckle by any stretch, but it’s a lovely place for younger children to enjoy – there’s a mini log flume, flying ships, old-fashioned merry-go-round and teacup rides, giant jumping pillows, and loads of different play areas and climbing frames. If the rain starts, there are a few different indoor soft play areas. Check the timetable on arrival to note down times for tractor & trailer rides, animal petting and the farm show.
It’s rarely crowded – even on busy days we’ve never queued for more than five minutes for a ride. Take swimwear if the sun’s out, as there’s a great splash pad to cool off in (complete with deckchairs for parents to relax on!).
Open year-round from 10am-5pm (closed Christmas Day and Boxing Day). Tickets start from £17.95; kids aged 2 from £15.95; under 2s free.Â
Walk the South Downs Way
The South Downs Way stretches for 100 scenic miles, from Beachy Head in the east to Winchester in the west. A big portion of it sits within West Sussex, making for some fantastic walks in the county. You can stomp across chalk hills, through ancient woodland (filled with bluebells in the spring), and past pretty villages (perfect tea and cake stops).
You can walk the whole thing in just over a week, but if you prefer a shorter hike, some of the best sections of the South Downs Way in West Sussex are:
- Buriton to Cocking (11 miles) – this includes both Harting Down and Beacon Hill, it’s (obviously) hilly but you get some spectacular views
- Cocking to Amberley (12 miles) – views from Bignor Hill and some lovely pubs in and around Amberley
- Upper Beeding to Kingston (20 miles) – Jack & Jill windmills, Stone Age settlements and an Iron Age hill fort
Seek out a sunny pub garden (or cosy nook by a fireplace)
You can never be too sure with the weather during the Great British summer. If the sun’s out, there are some great pub gardens in West Sussex where you can enjoy lunch and a glass of wine in the sunshine. Pubs I’d personally recommend are:
The Royal Oak, Midhurst
Fantastic garden with views across the Downs and occasional live music, plus some great local options on the drinks menu.
The Partridge, Singleton
Ideal for families, as there’s a big play area and ride-on cars to tear across the lawns.
Three Moles, Selham
Tiered gardens in a quiet village setting, plus the most delicious wood-fired pizzas (note that children must be over 12).
The Black Rabbit, Arundel
I could sit on their riverside terrace for hours, admiring views across the wetlands to Arundel Castle.
Duke of Cumberland, Henley
Tucked away in a tiny village, enjoy glorious views across to Black Down and amazing food.
Three Horseshoes, Elsted
Views south to the Downs and east across the Sussex Weald (try and visit in early summer when the rose bushes are all in bloom).
Crown & Anchor, Chichester Harbour
Sunny terrace overlooking the water at Dell Quay and a great seafood menu using local catches.
And if the weather isn’t playing ball, there are plenty of spots to cosy up with a Sunday roast and a glass of red. Here’s my pick of the bunch:
The Fox Goes Free, Charlton
The gardens and views are fab, but I just love the cosy interior here, with its huge inglenook fireplace, low ceilings and wonky beams (booking ahead recommended).
Noah’s Ark Inn, Lurgashall
Super-cute location on the village green, a cosy bar and an airy dining space with beams and cut flowers.
Horse Guards Inn, Tillington (nr Petworth)
This lovely spot is 350 years old and packed with charm and character; food is pricey but absolutely worth it.
Go for a walk in Bosham
I never get tired of visiting Bosham. Nestled on the edge of one of Chichester Harbour’s inlets, it’s home to dozens of chocolate-box cottages, a historic church that features in the Bayeux Tapestry, and a waterside pub (the Anchor Bleu) serving a fantastic menu of local seafood.
Walk west through the village and you’ll emerge at a lovely grassy park with views of boats sailing back and forth and a picturesque stream where kids (or grown-ups) can go for a paddle.
Two things to remember: watch where you park your car (the waterfront road is submerged at high tide) and it’s pronounced ‘bozzum’.
Have a beach day
One of the best free things to do in West Sussex is to spend a day at the beach. My top three choices would be:
West Wittering Beach
The name that gets all the attention is West Wittering, mainly because it’s the only sandy beach. It is gorgeous, and perfect for kids who love digging and sandcastle-building, but get very crowded (especially at high tide and around the car park – walk along for 10-15 minutes and it empties out).
The car park charges a flat rate, so although it seems expensive at first glance, if you’re staying for the day it’s not too bad. If you don’t want to pay, you can walk or cycle here, or park in East Wittering and walk along until you reach the sand dunes. The beach faces west, so try to stay for sunset if you can.
Bracklesham Bay
My go-to beach – I love the laid-back feel here. Because the car park is small, it never gets as crowded as the Witterings.
There’s a beachside sauna, a fab little restaurant and, just a minute’s walk from the shore, a coffee shop/deli that’s ideal for picking up premium picnic supplies. If you don’t get a spot in the car park, there is free parking on a number of nearby roads – I’ve never had trouble finding a space.
Littlehampton Beach
My third choice would be seaside town of Littlehampton, purely for the number of beachside activities it offers. The beach itself is mainly pebbles, with sand further out, and it’s huge, so there’s always plenty of space for the towels/tent/windbreak to go up.
Off the beach, you’ve got a couple of lovely cafes, an amusement arcade with rides, a brand-new splash park (open during the summer), mini golf, a great playground and a mini-train that trundles up and down the prom. A classic English seaside experience.
Visit the Weald & Downland Living Museum
The Weald and Downland Living Museum offers a fascinating glimpse into rural life across the centuries. Set across 40 acres of bucolic South Downs countryside, this open-air museum houses more than 50 historic buildings that have been carefully dismantled from their original locations and reconstructed here.
You’ll find everything from medieval farmsteads to Victorian workshops, all demonstrating traditional building techniques and crafts. If you’re a fan of BBC1’s The Repair Shop, it’s filmed in the Court Barn – you aren’t allowed in (except on a select number of open days, usually advertised online), but you can watch the film crew in action from afar.
The site’s working watermill still grinds flour (you can even have a go at hand-milling yourself), and there’s a great calendar of seasonal events that bring historical periods to life with skilled demonstrations and special exhibits. The Christmas market is a particular highlight.
If you’re looking for things to do in West Sussex with kids under 5, there’s a lovely toddler group that runs on a Friday during term time – check online for all the details.
Open 9.30am-5pm in spring and summer; 9.30am-4pm in autumn and winter. Tickets from £14.90 for adults; £6.80 for children aged 5-17; free for under 5s. Book online for the cheapest prices.Â
Wander through West Dean Gardens
West Dean Gardens is a suitably impressive example of a restored Edwardian estate garden. Spreading across 90-odd acres of carefully maintained grounds, it’s a lovely place to spend the day, particularly in the spring and summer (though autumn is fab, too – if you’re up for a longish walk, there are walking trails that showcase glorious autumn foliage in the arboretum).
The walled kitchen gardens produce heritage vegetables and are dotted with espaliered fruit trees that demonstrate Victorian horticultural techniques. My kids have always loved running around the network of paths here, especially in spring when there’s ‘snow’ (blossom) everywhere.
A huge 300-foot pergola forms the centrepiece of the garden. The views from here are beautiful – you’ll often see people sketching the landscape. The pergola is wrapped in a mature wisteria which smells heavenly in the springtime!
The grounds also feature a restored glasshouse complex, wildflower meadows, and specimen trees planted over the estate’s long history. There are so many lovely little corners to discover, from tiny stone bridges criss-crossing streams to shady benches overlooking the Downs. Be sure to take a walk past the grand manor house (now home to West Dean College), with its flint façade and crenellated towers.
There’s a cafe serving delicious cakes and cream teas, but if you fancy packing a picnic instead there are plenty of spots to lay out your blanket.
Open 9/9.30am-5pm from March to October; 9/9.30am-4pm from November to February. Tickets from £7.50 for adults; under 16s free.
Discover Sussex’s Roman past
If you’re interested in history (or you’ve got a child studying ancient Rome at school), there are a couple of standout places to visit in West Sussex.
Fishbourne Roman Palace
Fishbourne Roman Palace, just outside Chichester, is the largest Roman villa discovered in Britain. Its beautifully preserved mosaic floors are fantastic, particularly the famous Cupid on a Dolphin mosaic.
Bignor Roman Villa
A half-hour drive away is Bignor Roman Villa, nestled in the South Downs (fun fact: the villa lies very close to Stane Street, a Roman paved road linking London and Chichester). Again, there are some wonderful mosaics to see here.
Chichester City Walls & Novium Museum
In Chichester itself, you can still see (and stroll along) sections of the city’s Roman walls, plus there’s a great little museum (The Novium) which was built over an excavated bathhouse. There are lots of interesting exhibits at The Novium, featuring objects and artefacts found in the area, and an in-depth timeline of West Sussex history.
Explore Arundel Castle
Arundel’s castle dominates its skyline. It’s a formidable fortress that’s been home to the Dukes of Norfolk for more than 400 years, and is still lived in full-time even now.
A visit is a must while you’re in Arundel. The State Rooms display impressive collections of art and furniture, while the grounds boast sweeping views across the Arun valley (and, in the spring, a fab tulip festival).
The castle isn’t the only attraction here, though – don’t miss the hilltop Arundel Cathedral, the independent shops along the High Street and Tarrant Street, or the wonderful walks along the river through the WWT nature reserve (finish up at the Black Rat, one of my picks for my pub gardens section).
Go wine tasting at a local vineyard
West Sussex has a surprisingly impressive selection of wine estates and award-winning vineyards (apparently, the chalky South Downs soil provides perfect conditions for grape-growing – who knew?!).
There are plenty of places to choose from if you’re after a guided tour and tasting. Bigger names include Nyetimber, Roebuck Estates (I love a glass of fizz on their terrace – the views are to die for), and Bolney Wine Estate, but there are some really lovely smaller vineyards and estates that I’d recommend.
Stopham Vineyard runs a really informative tour and guided tasting (and their sparkling wine was delicious), the Tinwood Estate is a great option close to Chichester, and Nutbourne does picnics among the vines and tastings on the terrace of a historic windmill.
Spot birdlife at Pulborough Brooks
The RSPB reserve at Pulborough Brooks is one of my favourite family days out.
The full walking trail loops right around the reserve, and is a little long for my children, but there are lots of shorter routes to take. As well as spotting birdlife, there are adders to watch out for in the springtime and the loveliest views across towards Pulborough itself.
There’s a brilliant little playground next to the café and gift shop, plus a woodland play area a short walk away, with an obstacle course and endless branches provided to make your own dens and pretend campfires. My two could spend hours in here!
If you’re visiting on a weekend, check out the times for the South Downs Light Railway – it’s a 10-minute drive away from Pulborough Garden Centre, and lots of fun for little ones (in my opinion, this is one of the best cheap things to do in West Sussex with kids, as tickets are only a few pounds).
Open daily from dawn ’til dusk. See online for pricing (RSPB members enter for free).
Cycle the Centurion Way
This nine-kilometre path follows part of the route of the old, disused railway that linked Chichester and Midhurst.
It’s a relatively easy ride, mainly flat with a few gentle hilly sections, so it’s easily doable for children or less experienced riders (or those like me, who get achy legs after 10 minutes).
It connects to part of the South West Cycle Route, so it can be a nice addition to a longer ride out towards Bosham and Chichester Harbour.