Sussex area guide
Things to do in Sussex
Home to the South Downs National Park, the Sussex Weald and some stunning coastline, the county of Sussex makes a great location for a holiday full of culture, nightlife and beautiful scenery. Here’s our guide to making the most of a trip to the South East.
Choose from purpose-built hostels in Eastbourne and Truleigh Hill, a converted English farmhouse at YHA South Downs or the harbourside location of Littlehampton. You can be sure that YHA has the best budget accommodation for you.
Best things to do in Sussex
1066 Country Battle in Hastings
1066 Country is the kind of place where you don't just learn about history, you live it. Visit the 1066 Country website
Arundel Wetland Centre
26 hectares of naturalised landscapes and wetland habitats, Arundel Wetlands is home to kingfishers, water voles and many hundreds of wildfowl.
Beachy Head and the Seven Sisters
Visit Beachy Head and the Seven Sisters with their dramatic white cliffs and gently undulating downs.
Bluebell Railway
Take a journey back in time, this heritage steam railway runs through the glorious Sussex countryside - a great day out. Visit the Bluebell Railway website
Brighton i360
Enjoy a sky-high perspective of Brighton with a trip to the world’s tallest moving observation tower, the i360! With sweeping 360 degree views from a futuristic glass pod, you’ll be able to admire the...
Cycling in the South Downs
YHA South Downs is great for mountain bikers and road cyclists alike. The hostel benefits from a cycle rack and repair equipment to keep your bike in excellent condition while you're cycling the...
Fort Fun
Enjoy the thrill of the outdoor rides, or visit Rocky's Adventure Land, a huge indoor soft play area. Take your swimming costumes for the water slides and the other wet areas. Visit the Fort Fun...
Goodwood Estate
Something for everyone. Enjoy horse racing at Glorious Goodwood. Thrill to the motorsport at the Festival of Speed or the Goodwood Revival. Admire the Goodwood House over afternoon tea and wander...
Harbour Park Littlehampton
Enjoy a selection of family rides and attractions at one of the finest beach amusement parks on the South Coast. Visit the Harbour Park website
SEA LIFE Brighton
The world's oldest operating aquarium is right on the seafront! With amazing exhibits, you can see how fish and marine creatures live beneath the waves, plus there are plenty of opportunities to get...
Walking and Rambling in Littlehampton
The sweeping coast line is great for anyone wanting a leisurely stroll along the beaches. On the edge of South Downs National Park, the coastal walk has lovely sand dunes and amazing natural beauty.
Walking and Rambling in Truleigh Hill
If you're planning on staying at YHA Truleigh Hill, why not download a free map and get out exploring? All our self-guided walks start and end at a YHA hostel and are graded so that you can explore...
Watersports in Littlehampton
There's a whole host of watersports available nearby including surfing, sea kayaking, a windsurfing and kite surfing school and a yacht club offering sailing tuition for all abilities.
Worthing
Stroll five miles of promenade with it's art deco pier, or visit Brooklands Park with its boating lake and miniature railway.
Transport in Sussex
By train
Trains to Sussex offer a variety of destination choices. The main stations include Brighton, Chichester, Eastbourne, Hastings and Crawley. The main London station serving Sussex is Victoria with routes to Brighton in 50 minutes.
By bus
Regular National Express coach services operate in and around the county of Sussex from across the UK.
By plane
All the major London airports are within easy reach of Sussex, with Gatwick airport being the closest. So getting to Sussex from anywhere in the world can be easy. Brighton has its own airport which is a 10-mile journey from Brighton city centre.
By car
Travelling by car to Sussex is stress free thanks to the network of major roads, including the M1 and M25. Many of our hostels have on-site parking available.
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Must-see Sussex locations
Eastbourne
With award-winning beaches, a beautiful coastline and a great vibe of its own, Eastbourne is Brighton's scenic sibling. And with a YHA hostel situated in the heart of it all, you will have everything you need to recharge after a day's exploring.
South Downs National Park
The South Downs National Park’s landscape is full of spectacular views and hidden gems. And with a YHA hostel situated right on the South Downs Way, you can enjoyed everything the area has to offer with no stress of finding the right accommodation.
Shoreham-by-Sea
The vibrant seaside town of Shoreham-by-Sea sits on the Sussex coast, with the beautiful South Downs National Park as a backdrop. With masses to enjoy, Shoreham-by-Sea makes for the perfect family break.
Littlehampton
Two breathtaking beaches, the iconic River Arun and a large harbour makes Littlehampton a popular destination for a coastal holiday. There is a YHA hostel just 10 minutes from the beach, making it the ideal base for exploring everything this seaside town has to offer.
Popular blog posts about Sussex
Going on Safari: YHA Truleigh Hill
As we peered into the dark waters of the boating lake searching for the fidget toy our son had dropped overboard, they suddenly came into focus: scores of pale, translucent creatures gently stretching and contracting as they circulated just below the surface...
National treasures and hidden gems
Our guide to unmissable England and Wales. From world-famous attractions to the less obvious, we’ve compiled a list of must-visit landmarks, landscapes and locations. And we have accommodation...
Carless and carefree trips to our national park properties
National parks are just brilliant, aren’t they? They’re the great breathing spaces, full of fresh air, cool water and green things. We’re lucky enough to have more than 60 properties in national parks across England and Wales....