Photo: Jim Osley, CC BY-SA 2.0A perfect autumn weekend in Sussex
Autumn in Sussex means bonfire season. From mid October to late November, village and town societies hold torchlit processions and fireworks on several Saturdays, and they make a natural centrepiece for a weekend.
Saturday 24 October, the first Saturday of half term, is a good example: Firle, Littlehampton and the Ardingly showground all have fireworks that night. Build the day around a walk and a half-term trail, then pick your bonfire.
Sunday is for colour and steam: Sheffield Park's lakes, the Bluebell Railway's Halloween trains and a last look at Arundel Castle before it closes for winter on 1 November.
Saturday morning: chalk cliffs
Blow the cobwebs away on the coast.
Image: Seven Sisters Country ParkSeven Sisters Country Park
The classic view of the Seven Sisters chalk cliffs starts here, where the Cuckmere river meanders down to the sea. A level trail runs about 2km to the shingle beach at Cuckmere Haven, so it works for pushchairs and less confident walkers too.
Why it's here: A level 2km trail to Cuckmere Haven with the classic view of the cliffs, and the Saltmarsh Café open from 9am.
Image: National TrustBirling Gap and the Seven Sisters
Birling Gap is where the South Downs meet the sea at the Seven Sisters chalk cliffs, one of the longest undeveloped stretches of the south coast. Walk the clifftop downland, or take the steps down to the shingle beach for rock pools and fossil hunting. The National Trust café, shop and visitor centre sit on the cliff top.
Why it's here: Clifftop downland and rock pools below the Seven Sisters. Check the tide times and keep at least 5 metres from the cliff edges.
Saturday afternoon: half-term trails
Pick the one nearest your bonfire.
Image: Drusillas ParkHalloween Shriek Week at Drusillas
Drusillas dresses the whole zoo park in pumpkins, skeletons and cobwebs for half-term. A live-action Sugar Skull Witch roams the park three times a day.
Why it's here: The whole zoo dressed in pumpkins, skeletons and cobwebs from 24 October to 1 November, with a Sugar Skull Witch roaming three times a day.
Image: Wakehurst (RBG Kew)Wallace and Gromit: Fantastic Fungi Trail at Wakehurst
Kew's Sussex garden marks Aardman's 50th anniversary with a fungi-hunting trail, helping Wallace and Gromit record the woodland's mushrooms while dodging Feathers McGraw. It mixes hands-on challenges with real science.
Why it's here: A fungi-hunting trail with Wallace and Gromit for Aardman's 50th anniversary, £3 per trail pack plus garden entry.
Image: Weald & Downland Living MuseumOctober half-term: Plagues and Potions
The open-air museum near Chichester sets its half-term in 1665, with a village healer's potions trail and spooky games at Hambrook. Ghost stories and a Victorian schoolroom session round out the week.
Why it's here: Half term set in 1665, with a village healer's potions trail and spooky games, included with museum admission.
Saturday night: choose your bonfire
Three options on Saturday 24 October.
Image: Firle Bonfire SocietyFirle Bonfire Night
Firle Bonfire Society's night combines a flaming torchlit procession through the village with a grand bonfire and a large fireworks display in the park. It is a traditional Sussex bonfire in a downland village setting near Lewes.
Why it's here: A torchlit procession through the downland village at 7pm and fireworks at about 9pm, with under-13s free and advance adult tickets at £12.50.
Image: Littlehampton Bonfire SocietyLittlehampton Bonfire Night
Littlehampton Bonfire Society returns for its 74th year with a traditional torchlight procession, bonfire and fireworks by the seafront. The evening begins with a service at the war memorial.
Why it's here: A free torchlight procession, bonfire and fireworks by the seafront, now in its 74th year.
Image: Ardingly FireworksArdingly Fireworks and Funfair Spectacular
Ardingly's showground hosts a big pyromusical fireworks night with a full funfair, street food and a DJ. A quieter early display suits small children, and the main show is choreographed to music by Illusion Fireworks. Rides cost £2 before 5pm.
Why it's here: A low-noise children's display at 6.30pm and the main pyromusical show at 7.40pm, with a funfair and street food.
Sunday: steam, lakes and pumpkins
A slower day inland.
Image: National TrustSheffield Park and Garden
A Grade I listed landscape garden built around five lakes linked by cascades, shaped by 'Capability' Brown and Humphry Repton. The wider parkland and East Park suit a longer walk with the dog.
Why it's here: Five lakes linked by cascades, open from 9am, with the Bluebell Railway's Sheffield Park station a short drive away.
Image: Bluebell RailwayHalloween fun on the Bluebell Railway
Felix the Wizard joins the Bluebell Railway for half-term, with Halloween crafts on board and a bingo carriage with magic tricks. Children travel for £1 with a paying adult, so it is a good-value steam day out.
Why it's here: Felix the Wizard, Halloween crafts and a bingo carriage from 28 October to 1 November, with children travelling for £1 with a paying adult.
Image: Tulleys FarmTulleys Pumpkin Festival
Tulleys bills its daytime festival as Europe's largest, with 1.5 million pumpkins and gourds to pick from by wheelbarrow. New for 2026 is the Pumpkin Valley, an area of giant pumpkin sculptures and ponds.
Why it's here: 1.5 million pumpkins and gourds to pick by wheelbarrow and the new Pumpkin Valley, open daily until 1 November.
Image: Arundel CastleArundel Castle and Gardens
A vast castle above the River Arun, home of the Dukes of Norfolk for nearly a thousand years, with a Norman keep, state rooms and celebrated formal gardens. Go before the season closes on 1 November, then return in spring.
Why it's here: A Norman keep with views across the Arun valley and the Collector Earl's Garden, in the last days of the season before it closes on 1 November.
Questions people ask
When are the Sussex bonfire nights in 2026?
The season includes Hastings, Seaford and East Grinstead on 17 October, Firle and Littlehampton on 24 October, Lewes and Lindfield on 5 November, Battle and Cuckfield on 7 November, and Barcombe and Robertsbridge on 21 November.
Which Sussex fireworks suit young children?
Ardingly's showground has an earlier low-noise display at 6.30pm aimed at younger children, and Cuckfield's bonfire on 7 November has earlier timings that suit families.
Where can I pick pumpkins in Sussex?
Tulleys Farm at Turners Hill is open daily until 1 November, and Sompting Pumpkins at Lychpole Farm has free entry daily until 31 October.