Photo: Evgeniy Podkopaev, CC BY-SA 3.0Things to do in West Sussex
West Sussex runs from the sands of Chichester Harbour up through the South Downs to the High Weald woodland around Haywards Heath. That makes it easy to build a day around one area: Chichester and the coast, Arundel and the Downs, or the gardens of Mid Sussex.
Chichester has its cathedral and festival theatre, while Arundel has a castle with a wetland centre just below it.
Arundel Castle and Bignor Roman Villa both close for the winter at the start of November, so October is the last chance this year.
Chichester and the coast
A cathedral city, a big beach and the Downs behind.
Image: Chichester CathedralChichester Cathedral
A 900-year-old cathedral in the centre of Chichester, free to enter by donation and welcoming to dogs. Look out for the John Piper tapestry, and the peregrine falcons that nest on the spire.
Why it's here: A 900-year-old cathedral with the John Piper tapestry and peregrine falcons nesting on the spire, entry by donation.
Image: West Wittering EstateWest Wittering Beach
A wide Blue Flag sandy beach at the mouth of Chichester Harbour, with the sand spit of East Head at one end and plenty of room to spread out. Out of season it is one of the best dog-walking beaches on the south coast.
Why it's here: A wide Blue Flag sandy beach at the mouth of Chichester Harbour, with East Head at one end. Pre-book parking the night before to pay less.
Image: West Dean GardensWest Dean Gardens
West Dean Gardens sits at the foot of the South Downs north of Chichester and is one of the finest restored gardens open to the public. Highlights include the Victorian glasshouses, a productive Walled Kitchen Garden, a 100-metre Edwardian pergola and the 49-acre St Roche's Arboretum. It is open year round, with a restaurant, tea cottage and shops on site.
Why it's here: Victorian glasshouses, a walled kitchen garden and a 100-metre Edwardian pergola, open all year.
Image: Weald & Downland Living MuseumWeald and Downland Living Museum
More than 50 rescued historic buildings tell the story of 1,000 years of rural life in the South Downs. Step inside historic homes, watch traditional craftspeople at work and meet the animals, with dogs on short leads welcome too.
Why it's here: More than 50 rescued historic buildings telling 1,000 years of rural life, with winter online prices from £14.90 for adults.
Arundel and the Downs
Castle, wetlands, art and Roman mosaics within a short drive of each other.
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 vast castle above the River Arun with a Norman keep, state rooms and celebrated gardens, open until Sunday 1 November.
Image: WWT Arundel Wetland CentreWWT Arundel Wetland Centre
Boardwalks and hides through reedbeds and ponds below Arundel Castle, with ducks, geese and swans to meet up close. The short boat safari through the reeds is a hit with younger children.
Why it's here: Boardwalks, hides and a boat safari through the reedbeds below Arundel Castle, open daily.
Image: National TrustPetworth House and Park
A grand 17th-century house holding one of the National Trust's finest art collections, including Turner, Van Dyck and Gainsborough. Outside, a 700-acre deer park by 'Capability' Brown gives big South Downs views and room for a long walk.
Why it's here: One of the National Trust's finest art collections, including Turner, in a house with a 700-acre deer park.
Image: Bignor Roman VillaBignor Roman Villa
Bignor Roman Villa preserves the remains of a Roman home with world-class mosaic floors, deep in the South Downs National Park. The mosaics, including a striking head of Medusa, are protected under historic cover buildings, and finds include the Bignor gold ring. A tearoom makes it an easy stop on a Downs day out.
Why it's here: World-class Roman mosaics deep in the South Downs National Park, open daily over half term until 31 October.
Mid Sussex gardens and wild places
Woodland gardens around Haywards Heath and a rewilded estate further west.
Image: Wakehurst (RBG Kew)Wakehurst
Kew's wild botanic garden in the High Weald, home to the Millennium Seed Bank and big swathes of woodland, wetland and meadow. It suits a long family walk, and children's tickets are cheap.
Why it's here: Kew's wild botanic garden at Ardingly, home to the Millennium Seed Bank, with cheap children's tickets.
Image: National TrustNymans
A romantic garden wrapped around a house that is part home and part dramatic ruin. Rare plant collections fill the garden, and beyond it ancient woodland leads down to a lake and cascades.
Why it's here: A part-ruined manor house in a Grade II* listed garden at Handcross, with woodland walks to the lake.
Image: Knepp WildlandKnepp Wildland
A pioneering rewilding project, where free-roaming herds, white storks and recovering wildlife have replaced intensive farming. Public footpaths, tree platforms and a lakeside hide let you explore for free, and the Wilding Kitchen is open all year.
Why it's here: Free-roaming herds and white storks on a rewilding estate, with 16 miles of free footpaths.
Image: Borde Hill GardenBorde Hill Garden
A botanically rich garden of outdoor garden rooms and champion trees, set in Grade II* listed parkland with woodland walks and an adventure playground with a zip wire. Winter half-price entry makes it a good-value walk from November.
Why it's here: Champion trees, an Italian Garden and an adventure playground with a zip wire, half price from 2 November.
Coming up
Two autumn events worth planning around.
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: Tulleys bills its pumpkin festival as Europe's largest, with 1.5 million pumpkins and gourds, open every day until 1 November.
Image: chichestercathedral.org.ukChichester Light Experience: Illuminating Art
Luxmuralis, the artist Peter Walker and composer David Harper, turn Chichester Cathedral into a canvas of light and sound for the annual Light Experience. This year's theme, Illuminating Art, projects four centuries of art onto the architecture, from the Baroque and the Impressionists to early photography, steam and animation, before a finale in the nave. Walk round at your own pace.
Why it's here: Four centuries of art projected onto Chichester Cathedral on evenings from 23 to 31 October.
Questions people ask
What is there to do in Chichester?
Visit Chichester Cathedral (entry by donation), see a show at Chichester Festival Theatre, or head out to West Dean Gardens, the Weald and Downland Living Museum or West Wittering beach.
When does Arundel Castle close?
The 2026 season ends on Sunday 1 November, and the castle is closed over the winter.
Is Wakehurst in West Sussex?
Yes. Wakehurst is at Ardingly, near Haywards Heath, in West Sussex.