From coast to country – explore the best of Sussex from beachside Brighton

Picture this. You spend your morning mooching around galleries and shopping in a buzzy beachside city that has all the vibes. Come the afternoon, you soak up sun on said beach before taking in a fabulous show. Next morning, you’re strolling rolling vineyards in the countryside ahead of lunching alfresco in a super-quaint village you won’t want to leave, but for your plans to enjoy an unforgettable night on the tiles back in town. 

Nope, we’re not talking about the Veneto or Côte d'Azur. We’re talking about the kind of break that lies in wait when you use Brighton as your beachside base for exploring Sussex. Sound appealing? Here’s why it’s worth lingering longer in Brighton to experience Sussex’s top attractions on a trip that’ll take you from coast to country, cocktail bar to castle, vintage boutique to vineyard.

Live your best Brighton life on an extended city break by the sea

Brimming with stuff to see and do, we’ll kick off with a few reasons Brighton deserves to be your new favourite city break destination in the first place.

First up, to get your bearings of the city – and a sneak peak of the surrounding Sussex countryside – take to the skies on the Brighton i360.

After soaking up sensational views from a glass viewing pod that glides to a height of 138 metres, hit the ground running by heading to Brighton’s legendary Lanes, where a labyrinth of indie boutiques and eateries awaits.

Then there’s Brighton’s most iconic attractions, like Brighton Palace Pier and the opulent Royal Pavilion and Garden. 

While the pier blends Victoriana with thrilling fairground attractions and scenic places to eat and drink, the splendid gardens of the Royal Pavilion house the Brighton Museum and Art Gallery.

Boasting one of Britain’s best collections of fine art, fashion and 20^th-century art and design, the gallery is just one of many remarkable places you can get your culture in Brighton.

Vibey Brighton – your gateway to things to do in Sussex 

It’ll be pretty apparent by now that Brighton deserves more than a day trip’s worth of your time. So, rather than sell yourself short, consider staying longer, and using Brighton as your base for experiencing Sussex.

From having your soul stirred by nature, to visiting vineyards that deliver Mediterranean vibes without having to board a plane, read on for unforgettable things to do in Sussex during your Brighton-based city break.

Editor’s tip: while Brighton and Sussex are both sensational in summer  – think fish and chips by the sea, long days exploring the South Downs, and long evenings eating alfresco – they’re also excellent year-round destinations.

That’s thanks to the region’s bounty of theatres, restaurants, pubs and bars, along with the glory of Sussex’s great outdoors. Talking of which…

Unleash your inner leaf peeper in the South Downs National Park

New to the notion of leaf-peeping? Put simply, it means finding joy in the shifting seasons, as summer’s greenery makes way for the russet rustle of autumn.

To do exactly that, take an easy trip from Brighton to the South Downs National Park, where 1600 km2 of breath-taking views – and gloriously golden autumn hues – await.

Encompassing rolling hills, ancient woodland, chalk grassland, and the Seven Sisters coastline, the South Downs National Park is the perfect place to reconnect with nature while hiking or biking. 

Add to that the natural magic of the Living Coast UNESCO Biosphere that runs between the rivers Adur and Ouse, and it’s clear why Sussex is a fabulous destination for folks who want to get back to nature, albeit with the pleasurable convenience of being close to Brighton.

Editor’s tip: other local leaf-peeping hotspots include Wakehurst – a 500-acre botanic garden managed by the Royal Botanic Gardens at Kew – and Leonardslee Lakes and Gardens, which is home to free-roaming deer, a Michelin-starred restaurant, and the UK’s first Pinotage vineyard.

Visit vineyards on a Routemaster bus tour

Eat your heart out, Tuscany and Champagne. There’s a new wine region on the block and – perhaps surprisingly – it’s located in southern England.

Actually, strictly speaking, Sussex isn’t new to the wine-making game. Evidence suggests the county first produced wine some 2000 years ago. And now, after centuries in the vinification wilderness, the county has popped the cork to re-emerge as a tasty player on the world’s wine stage.

Few experiences encapsulate why Brighton is a brilliant base for combining city thrills with scenic countryside spills than boarding a vintage Routemaster bus to tour Sussex vineyards. Book your place to avoid the hassle of rock-paper-scissoring who gets to be the designated driver.

Be inspired by the Bloomsbury group in charming Charleston 

Love art and literature? Charleston is top of our list of things to do in Sussex.

Counting Virginia Woolf and E.M. Forster among its illustrious guests, this charming chocolate-box farmhouse was the former country home and studio of Bloomsbury group greats Vanessa Bell – Virginia’s sister – and Duncan Grant.

Once a hotbed of radical thinking, today you can tour the modernist house, revel in the wonder of its walled garden – replete with secret sculptures and serene spaces – and enjoy a programme of exhibitions and events that celebrate the Bloomsbury group’s bohemian spirit. 

Editor’s tip: a second Charleston art space hosts exhibitions, community projects and artist-led workshops in Lewes, a handsome historic town that isn’t short of reasons to visit. More on those right below.

Eat, drink, shop and make merry in medieval Lewes 

Presided over by an 11^th-century castle, and home to Anne of Cleves’ 16^th-century timber-framed house, Lewes is the kind of day trip destination that’ll keep everyone happy. 

Take a train from Brighton, and in a mere seventeen minutes you’ll be meandering medieval walkways, shopping ‘til you drop in indie boutiques, and facing the tough decision of where to enjoy lunch.

If you’re into beer in a big way, Lewes is home to Harvey’s Brewery – the oldest independent brewery in Sussex, with tours offering tastings of its traditional ales. 

We also recommend cosying up in Harvey’s 220-year-old pub. Alongside its historic setting and tasty beers, the Lewes Arms is known for its moreish heritage grain pizzas. 

Editor’s tip: to eat, drink and soak up culture in cool contemporary style, head to Depot. This independent three-screen cinema serves a programme of mainstream and art house movies, along with seasonal menus that showcase sensational Sussex produce.

Want more pre-trip inspiration? Discover how else you can experience Sussex during your extended city break in vibey Brighton.