Top Things to do in West Sussex
Top Hotels in West Sussex
- 1. Sofitel London Gatwick Hotel
- 2. Premier Inn London Gatwick Airport (A23 Airport Way) Hotel
- 3. Bloc Hotel London Gatwick Airport
- 4. Chichester Park Hotel
- 5. Beachcroft Hotel & Beach Hut Suites
- 6. Tottington Manor Hotel
- 7. Travelodge Littlehampton Rustington
- 8. Hotel Hilton London Gatwick Airport
- 9. Premier Inn London Gatwick Airport South (London Road) hotel
- 10. Alexander House Hotel & Utopia Spa
Countries
What to do and see in West Sussex, England: The Best Historic Sites
Discover the best top things to do in West Sussex, United Kingdom including Cissbury Ring, The Earl's Garden, Sedgwick Park House, Arundel Castle and Gardens, Parham House & Gardens, Standen, High Salvington Windmill, Sackville College, St Andrew's Parish Church, Uppark House and Garden.
Restaurants in West Sussex
1. Cissbury Ring
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 91 reviews
Reviewed By K_Sivyer - Worthing, United Kingdom
The highest hill fort in Sussex dates back about 5000 years and has a hugely varied part in history, predominantly as a defence location for the area and observation point in times of conflict. Now the hill is a wonderful ipart of the South Downs National Park and provides a haven for nature, with wild ponies, rare flora and a peaceful public leisure area for walking and hiking.
2. The Earl's Garden
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 26 reviews
Reviewed By 227ianc - London, United Kingdom
These stunning gardens are designed as a series of interconnected rooms with their green oak Pagodas (one of which is architecturally decorated with antlers), water features and fountains and Oberon's Palace with its shell grotto inside. Opened in 2008 as a tribute to Thomas Howard, the 14th Earl of Arundel, the gardens have lush planting and different characteristics as you move from one of the 'rooms' to another, exploring the different spaces and hidden corners, while as a backcloth you can see Arundel Cathedral and the Church of St Nicholas over the hedges. The Earl's Garden leads onto other gardens - the rose and vegetable gardens and the glass houses. The Gardens are not to be missed and a delightful surprise to find on visiting the Castle, while there is also a new Water Garden, as a wildlife reserve, on the site of the Stew Ponds.
3. Sedgwick Park House
4. Arundel Castle and Gardens
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 3,297 reviews
Arundel Castle and Gardens open from 5th August 2020. Open Tuesdays to Sundays inclusive and August bank holiday Monday. Arundel Castle, home of the Duke of Norfolk, reflecting nearly 1,000 years of history,and commanding the surrounding landscape with magnificent views across the South Downs and River Arun. Fine furniture and works of art in sumptuously furnished rooms. Ancient Motte & Keep. Spectacular gardens. 14th century Fitzalan Chapel. Collection of arms & armour. Personal possessions of Mary Queen of Scots. Pre-booked tickets only.
Reviewed By teresalU1302CG - Bath, United Kingdom
From the moment we walked up the drive and saw the beautiful and striking Arundel castle home to the Duke of Norfolk it was simply just breathtaking, and inside was stunning, the library took my breath away. The most amazing castle I have ever visited. The gardens are beautiful with so many beautiful features, with the beautiful Arundel Cathedral as a back drop. Would most definitely return and highly recommend a visit
5. Parham House & Gardens
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 282 reviews
One of the top twenty in Simon Jenkins's book 'England's Thousand Best Houses'. Idyllically set in the heart of an ancient deer park, below the South Downs, the Elizabethan house contains an important collection of needlework, paintings and furniture. The spectacular Long Gallery is the third longest in England. The gardens include a four-acre Walled Garden with stunning herbaceous borders, plus Pleasure Grounds. Parham has always been a well-loved family home, and only three families have lived here since its foundation stone was laid in 1577. Its tranquillity and timeless beauty have changed little over the years. Now owned by a charitable trust, the house is lived in by Lady Emma Barnard, her husband James and their family. Open from Easter Sunday until the end of October. Please see the website for days and times.
Reviewed By therealdeadbird - London, United Kingdom
Parham is essentially an old house with a welcoming heart to visitors in surroundings that include a practical walled garden and best of all endless trees in a deer park . The restaurant is not run at the pace of a Burger King or Macdonalds nor does the shop contain everything in Amazon Houses of Elizabethan era are few and far between ,a bit like Chastleton in North Oxford but more refined Parham is unique ,unfussy
6. Standen
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 806 reviews
Nestled in the Sussex countryside with views across the High Weald, James and Margaret Beale chose an idyllic location to build their rural retreat. Designed by Philip Webb, Standen is one of the most complete examples of Arts and Crafts workmanship, with Morris & Co. interiors and a story of family life in 1925. Outside, Mrs Beales passion for gardening inspires a major restoration of her 12-acre hillside garden. Each garden room has a distinct character and offers something for every season from spring bulbs to autumn colour. Explore the wider estate with footpaths leading out into the woodlands. Close at 4pm November - January
Reviewed By 308LisaC
This is a beautifully maintained former family country retreat. As a result it’s both homely and fascinating. It has many of the Beale family mementos and magnificent soft furnishings as the women of the house were prolific embroiderers. The house itself was designed for the Beales by a talented architect of the period, Philip Webb, and richly dressed with William Morris wallpapers and other beautiful arts and crafts furnishings. There is a knowledgable volunteer guide in each room to answer questions or reflect with you about the life and times of the residents. Their passion is evident. It looks like the family have just popped out for a walk and will be back for afternoon tea shortly. There’s currently an enjoyable exhibition on William Morris on display in the house which helps to explain where his creativity came from. I loved the WM themed autumnal flower arrangements on each of the main external doors. There are delightful gardens and paths to explore although I only made it round the kitchen garden due to extensive rain.There is a cafe in the outbuildings of the house selling the usual range of NT tempting treats and also a shop with the addition some William Morris items to the NT range.
7. High Salvington Windmill
8. Sackville College
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 21 reviews
Visitors to Sackville College enter a building that is nearly 400 years old. The College's connection with the Sackville family goes back to the year 1609 and the will of Robert Sackville, Earl of Dorset. This provided a sum of money with which to buy land and "build a convenient house of brick and stone" to be used as an almshouse. For many years the College had a second use, too: providing overnight accommodation for the Sackville family as they journeyed to and from their estates in Sussex. The heads of the Sackville family have been Patrons of the College through its history. The present Patron is the 11th Earl De La Warr . Opening Season Mid June to Mid September. Admission by Guided tours at 2pm & 3:30pm Groups can visit at other times by prior arrangement
9. St Andrew's Parish Church
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 11 reviews
Reviewed By DonI632 - Belfast, United Kingdom
If you're just interested in ancient churches, you'll like this place. If, however, you wish to worship then this is really worth a visit. The people are most welcoming and the Vicar, Gary, is a very special kind of priest. If we lived locally, we'd be regular members of the congregation.
10. Uppark House and Garden
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 535 reviews
Uppark is a tranquil and intimiate 17th century house set in gardens and surrounded by woodlands. It sits perched high up, overlooking the South Downs National Park and West Sussex countryside, commanding panoramic views. Uppark has several fascinating connections to people including Emma Hamilton and HG Wells. Much of the grounds and interior of the house were designed and implemented by renowned designer Humphry Repton.
Reviewed By PhilFGuildford - Leeds, United Kingdom
With its rich history, stunning location offering superb views of the South Downs and luxurious Georgian interior Uppark House is an excellent place to visit, well operated by the National Trust. And yet one fateful day during August 1989 it looked as though the structure was all going to be lost in the wake of a devastating fire. The efforts of those who saved the property from complete destruction and worked hard to ensure it could reopen in 1995 were evident when I visited. Staff members are on hand in each room to offer fascinating insights into Uppark’s past. The individual whom I spoke to in the Tapestry Bedroom for instance provided a wealth of information regarding its contents. I was interested to learn that some of its tapestries dated back to the first half of the 18th century; their colours were remarkably vibrant considering their age. Amongst the other highlights in my opinion were the paintings of Sarah Lethieueller, wife of former owner and MP Matthew Fetherstonhaugh. Her West Indian Monkey picture, located in the Red Drawing Room, reflects a remarkable artistic talent. Not to be missed is the Saloon in which some of the furniture was designed by Andre-Charles Boulle, described by the powerful French monarch Louis XVI as the finest cabinet maker of his era. There are also Italian artworks on display, amongst many items purchased during the inevitably wealthy Fetherstonhaugh family’s Grand Tour of Europe, and oriental exhibits. A further thing that piqued my interest was the tulip vases, with their quintets of finger-like openings; I haven’t seen these in any other house or museum that I’ve visited and while I’m no expert I have taken in a fair few sites. And of course, in common with all such houses there is a kitchen too. For a number of visitors, the highlight will be the remarkable doll’s house. This apparently was not designed for children to play with and consequently it is in excellent condition and regarded as one of the finest examples surviving to the present day. Meanwhile anyone who is into science fiction will likely be fascinated to learn that a young H.G. Wells spent a lot of time here and made the most of its library and telescope. I thoroughly recommend Uppark’s café where I opted for a scone with strawberry jam and tea, which proved delicious. I was also impressed by the surrounding garden. I visited in March 2020, before the UK entered its lockdown, and while this was not quite the time of year to explore the exterior at length I noticed the impressive array of flowers. I’m sure it will look spectacular on a summer’s day. Overall, I loved Uppark and I’ve spent a lot of time reminiscing about the place ever since.
