England
West Sussex

West Sussex Travel Guide

West Sussex is a delightful area of superb gardens and historic country estates. The coast is more heavily populated, with a series of small coastal resorts that have blended into one long urban stretch from the outskirts of Brighton & Hove in the east to Bognor Regis in the west. Inland from the coast the countryside is dominated by the swell of the South Downs, and the South Downs Way long distance path runs along the crest of the downs on its way from Hampshire to East Sussex, providing excellent walking opportunities and superb views.

In the west of the county Chichester Harbour - not a harbour at all but a landlocked area of saltwater channels - provides a popular boating, fishing, walking, and birding area. Boat tours of Chichester Harbour provide visitors with a chance to explore this unusual ecosystem.

Nyman's Gardens

The city of Chichester itself was built by the Romans at the crossing of two important roads. The remains of a Roman amphitheatre can still be seen outside town, but most people come for the striking medieval buildings, including the Norman cathedral and the Guildhall. Just outside the city is Fishbourne Roman Palace, one of the finest Roman remains in Britain. Superb Roman mosaics have been preserved in the museum, and the original gardens reconstructed.

Further north is an interesting triumvirate of attractions; almost within sight of each other are Goodwood racecourse, home of the "Glorious Goodwood" race meetings every August, the Weald and Downland Open-Air Museum, where over 35 historic buildings rescued from demolition have been carefully dismantled and reconstructed, and West Dean Gardens, a superb Victorian mix of formal and informal gardens.

Near Hayward's Heath are three more typically superb West Sussex gardens; Nyman's, notable for its collection of rare plants from across the world, High Beeches, a lovely place of peaceful woodlands dotted with water gardens, and Borde Hill, a series of linked garden "rooms" each with its own style.

Arundel Castle

These are just a few of many excellent gardens in West Sussex, yet the county has an equal share of historic houses worth visiting. Start with Parham Park, a marvelous Elizabethan manor set in a deep park. Then move on to Uppark, a classic Georgian house set high on the Downs, or Petworth, a magnificent Jacobean mansion in a 700 acre park landscaped by Capability Brown.

Arundel Castle, towering over the town of the same name, is every inch the perfect medieval fortress, with grey-stone battlements and round towers bristling. The core of the castle contains an authentic Norman motte where a queen once stayed, but that medieval core was enhanced and added to by a 19th century Duke of Norfolk. One of the highlights is the ornate private chapel, a testament to the staunchly Catholic Fitzalan-Howard family's faith. Just down the road from the castle is the Arundel Wildfowl and Wetlands Centre, where visitors can view endangered bird species from protected viewing stations, and explore the natural world of the marshlands.

Undiscovered gem:
Boxgrove Priory - on the outskirts of Chichester, this delightful little church stands in a wooded grove near the ruins of its medieval guesthouse. Boxgrove was founded as a monastery in the 14th century, and part of the monastic church lives on as the parish church.

From history to walking, villages to ornate country houses, there truly is something for everyone in West Sussex.

Top Historic attractions in West Sussex

Arundel - Village  
Bignor Roman Villa - Roman  
Fishbourne Roman Palace - Roman  
Arundel Castle - Castle  
Chichester Cathedral - Cathedral  
Goodwood House - Historic House  
Parham - Historic House  
Petworth House - Historic House