Tucked between the South Downs and the sea, West Sussex has the sort of gentle, well-balanced scenery that feels like England operating at its most contented. Green hills roll quietly inland, castles perch on ancient mounds, seaside towns lean politely towards the water, and gardens bloom with impressive precision.
It is the kind of county where the countryside feels well looked after, the tea is always served hot, and the walking paths seem carefully designed to include at least one pub before you get too tired.
The South Downs and long, gentle views
The South Downs National Park cuts right through West Sussex, offering mile after mile of green hills, chalk cliffs and paths that wind pleasingly under wide skies. The South Downs Way, one of England’s great long-distance footpaths, ambles across the ridges, providing walkers with long views, rolling farmland and plenty of excuses to pause for photographs.
In spring and summer, the downs bloom with wildflowers, while red kites and buzzards glide lazily overhead, seemingly as pleased with the scenery as everyone else.
Castles, cathedrals and a nice bit of history
Arundel Castle sits dramatically above the River Arun, looking very much like a castle that fully understands its responsibilities. With its towering battlements, grand state rooms and extensive gardens, it remains one of England’s finest examples of the medieval-meets-stately-home genre.
Nearby, Chichester offers one of England’s smaller but most beautiful cathedrals, its spire visible for miles across the flat Sussex plain. The city itself is filled with handsome Georgian streets, Roman walls and shops that seem designed for people who enjoy browsing rather than rushing.
Gardens, stately homes and very well-behaved flowers
West Sussex is rather proud of its gardens. Petworth House offers both grand interiors and sweeping Capability Brown parkland, complete with ancient trees, grazing deer and distant lakes that reflect the sky in particularly photogenic ways.
Nearby, Wakehurst and Nymans (technically just across the border in East Sussex but often visited together) provide endless plant collections, landscaped grounds and the sort of tidy borders that suggest serious gardening has been going on for several generations.
Seaside towns with a bit of salt and sun
The Sussex coast here offers a pleasant blend of traditional seaside fun and rather refined beachfront living. Worthing remains pleasantly old-fashioned, with its pier, arcades and seafront promenades. Bognor Regis offers much the same, with an added layer of cheerful British eccentricity.
Littlehampton, with its riverside walks, sandy beaches and brightly coloured beach huts, provides another fine option for a day by the sea. The coast never feels rushed, even when the sun shines and everyone arrives at once.
Villages, lanes and quiet countryside
West Sussex’s villages are the sort of places that seem designed for Sunday lunches and slow afternoons. Pulborough, Midhurst, Petworth and Amberley all offer pubs, antique shops, narrow lanes and churches that have been quietly watching over their communities for several hundred years.
The lanes themselves are often lined with ancient hedgerows, where walkers may encounter deer, pheasants and occasionally rather cross-looking geese.
Where England takes a comfortable deep breath
West Sussex is not a county that shouts for attention. Instead, it offers rolling downs, historic towns, grand houses and carefully tended gardens. It is England looking quietly pleased with itself – and after a few days here, you may find yourself feeling much the same.
Top 10 reasons to visit West Sussex
1. The South Downs at their best
Rolling green hills, chalk cliffs and wide skies make the South Downs National Park the heart of the county. Whether you tackle a stretch of the South Downs Way or simply admire the views with a picnic, it is England at its most scenic and well-behaved.
2. Castles that actually look like castles
Arundel Castle perches above the River Arun looking every bit the fairytale fortress. With battlements, grand halls and sprawling gardens, it ticks all the boxes for anyone who ever doodled turrets in their school notebooks.
3. Chichester’s cathedral and culture
Chichester may be compact but it packs a cultural punch. Its cathedral spire pierces the skyline while Georgian streets and Roman walls give the city layers of history. Add in galleries and theatres and you have a small city that behaves like a big one.
5. Gardens that could win medals for tidiness
From the grandeur of Petworth’s Capability Brown parkland to the lovingly curated borders at Nymans and Wakehurst, West Sussex’s gardens look as if they have been groomed for a royal visit. Even the flowers seem to know their place.
6. Seaside towns with personality
Worthing and Bognor Regis deliver traditional British seaside fun, piers and all, while Littlehampton charms with its beach huts and sandy stretches. It is the sort of coast where candyfloss still feels appropriate, even in a brisk wind.
7. Villages made for Sunday lunch
Amberley, Pulborough, Midhurst and Petworth are villages that appear to have been designed with pubs, antique shops and slow afternoons in mind. They practically demand you settle in with a roast dinner and a pint.
8. Wildlife that turns up on schedule
Red kites glide over the downs, deer wander through Petworth Park, and pheasants stride about like they own the place. Even the geese look as though they have been hired for atmosphere.
9. Walking paths with built-in pub stops
It is hard to find a footpath in West Sussex that does not mysteriously lead you to a pub just as you begin to wonder why you set out in the first place. Someone has clearly thought this through.
10. Stately homes with extra gravitas
Petworth House is a showstopper of art and architecture, with Turner paintings inside and deer outside. Pair it with smaller gems like Parham House and you begin to see why Sussex takes its stately heritage seriously.
