5 places to visit in West & East Sussex, England

Looking for seaside destinations? You’re going to read the story about an amazing land – a kingdom of seagulls and cliffs, sheep and vast fields, palm and oak trees. Turn ON some relaxing music or sea sounds, and let’s explore the South East coast of England together.

Here we’ll teleport you to Brighton as the connection point from where you can start your East Sussex journey, either go to West Sussex. If you have enough time, it’s worth travelling both ways.

Places to visit on the South East coast of England

1. Brighton

Our first stop is a magnet for tourists who like to have fun & feel the fresh sea breeze. From first sight, you’ll understand why the city is called Brighton. The name perfectly conveys its spirit. Being colorful and modern, full of creativity and joy, the city will leave a bright sparkle in your heart and memory. Brighton up your day! – probably is the city slogan, it should be!

If you’re going to Brighton by train, start your walk from the station. Just enjoy strolling the streets: find colourful buildings, exotic architecture, vintage emporiums, and art spaces. Do not miss The Lanes and Royal Pavilion (Asian-style building).

What to see in Brighton:

Brighton Pier – buzzing entertainment destination full of restaurants, rides, arcades and activities.
Brighton Marina is a quiet little Venice with openwork buildings and luxury yachts on the water.
The Undercliff Path – a 3 miles/ 5 km long walkway or cycleway between Brighton Marina and Saltdean.
The British Airways i360 – a 150-m high observation tower on the seafront.

Now, let’s move right to the next points in East Sussex. You’re going to love it!

2. Seven Sisters

A magical place where the white cliffs of South Downs National Park meet the English Chanel. Ancient rivers carved valleys through the chalk, resulting in seven peaks, and this is how the Sisters came to life. Each of the Seven Sisters has its name. The tallest cliff (253 feet /77 metres) is called Haven Brow. The others from west to east are Short Brow, Rough Brow, Brass Point, Flagstaff Brow, Bailey’s Hill and Went Hill.

Two ways to enjoy the Seven Sisters’ beauty:

Go to West dean (the Seven Sisters Park Centre) and walk 45 minutes to observe the cliffs from the shore.
Get to East Dean and take a 30-minutes walk to the hills’ tops.

How to get to Seven Sisters from Brighton:

You can take 12 Coastliner from Imperial Arcade (Stop K).

* For the fans of Harry Potter: Seven Sisters appeared in Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire.

3. Beachy Head

Our next stop is only 3 miles from Seven Sisters. Rising to 531 ft (162 metres) above the sea, it’s the highest chalk cliff in Britain. The views from this headland are stunning. Time flies imperceptibly in places like this. You can walk for a few hours and never get tired of the beauty around you.

What you’ll see here:

Beachy Head Lighthouse – the red and white striped like a candy cane. You definitely need a picture of it – it’s very photogenic:)
Belle Tout Lighthouse – renovated and opened for guests as a unique bed and breakfast. If you’ve ever dreamt of staying in a lighthouse, that’s a great chance!

4. Shoreham-by-Sea

Now let’s go back to West Sussex and explore the coastal gems there. Shoreham-by-Sea is a lovely town-port that combines old architecture in the historic centre and some modern buildings along the riverside. Here you can see where River Adur meets the English Channel.

What to see in Shoreham-by-Sea:

Old Shoreham Toll Bridge – a refurbished bridge from the 18th century proclaimed to be the last of its kind in Sussex and one of the last of its kind anywhere in the world.
Church of St. Mary & St Nicolas’ Church – architectural and historical sites found in the 10th and 11th centuries.
Mill Hill, Thundersbarrow Hill, Southwick Hill – special areas for those who love to watch wildlife. You can meet different species of butterflies or rabbits playing on the lawns amongst the Purging Flax, Eyebright and Wild Thyme.
Shoreham-by-Sea Beach – people love it for its peace and silence. It’s never overcrowded like Brighton beach.

Sunset over River Adur in Shoreham-by-Sea

Take a walk along the shore from the Shoreham Beach to Lancing – our next destination. It’s the best way to observe the Widewater lagoon.

How to get to Shoreham from Brighton: go by train or by 700 Costliner.

5. Lancing

Lancing combines heavenly beautiful seascapes, coastal urban homes, farms and wildlife reserves. Its secluded atmosphere drowns out unnecessary worries and opens an extra desire to connect with nature.

What to see in Lancing:

Widewater Lagoon – a landlocked brackish lagoon located between Shoreham and Lancing. Perfect place to observe a wide range of flora and fauna.
National Trust - Cissbury Ring is the largest hill fort in Sussex, the second largest in England, with a long history. The rings provide stunning views of the sea and the surrounding countryside from their height of 783 feet above the sea.
Lancing College – rising high above River Adur, it is Sussex’s own Hogwarts. Actually, it was one of the nominees; though not winning, still beautiful and worth seeing.

Our little journey is ending here, but it’s only beginning for you. Hope you found enough inspiration to plan your visit to West and East Sussex. The Southeast coast of England has a lot to offer: its white cliffs, green fields, fresh sea breezes and stunning views are waiting for you! Save the post as a holiday plan:)

United Kingdom