From dune surfing and building sand castles to fossil hunting or rock pooling, there are family adventures galore to be found in East and West Sussex. With miles of beaches and unspoilt countryside, the region is the ideal place to find a fresh air adventure, and the good news is that they are all free! Whether to fly a kite on the South Downs, picnic by the River Arun or discover some of Winnie the Pooh’s favourite places on a walk in Ashdown Forest, here are 10 reasons to Visit Sussex this summer:
WEST SUSSEX
1. Count the bars on Britain’s longest bench
Seating over 300 people, the colourful bench bends, wiggles and dips along the seafront promenade in Littlehampton, West Sussex. Just opened to the public, the longest bench in Britain is made from thousands of bars, creating a unique attraction.
Visit Sussex Top Tip: Pop into the award-winning East Beach Café – another Littlehampton design marvel – for lunch or dinner.
2. Build sandcastles!
Big kids – and their children – can get stuck into some serious sandcastle-building at Blue Flag award-winner West Wittering Beach. The West Sussex beach is also a hot spot for surfing, wind-surfing and kite-surfing.
3. Fossil hunting
Along the coast from West Wittering, families can look for shark and ray teeth, fossilised gastropod and bivalve shells, or even fish vertebrae. Find them washed up on top of the sand as the tide retreats at Bracklesham Bay.
4. Picnic by the river
Grab a blanket, pack up a picnic and spend a day by the river in Arundel. Energetic picnickers can go on a six mile circular walk across to South Stoke then returning along the River Arun. Or simply pick a spot by the river and take in stunning views of Arundel Castle.
Visit Sussex Top Tip: Stop by Fins in Arundel to pick up some fresh locally-caught seafood, or top up the picnic hamper at Pallant of Arundel.
5. Meet mischievous goats…
…and a host of other animals, including rabbits, guinea pigs and chipmunks at Tulleys Farm. While visitors do have to pay to explore the Giant Maize Maze and play on the trampolines and mini tractors, entry to the ‘Animal Patch’ is free.
EAST SUSSEX
6. Go on a Winnie the Pooh Walk
Explore Ashdown Forest to find some of the sites of Pooh’s adventures, including Pooh’s Bridge, The Enchanted Place, Heffalump Trap, Hundred Acre Wood and Eeyore’s Sad and Gloomy Place. There are two themed walks to choose from.
Visit Sussex Top Tip: Stay nearby at The Felbridge Hotel and Spa.
7. Cycle the Cuckoo Trail
Load the bikes into the car and head to Heathfield in East Sussex. The picturesque 11-mile trail follows the former ‘Cuckoo Line’ railway track leading through countryside and villages. Look out for wild garlic growing, the orange-tip butterfly and of course cuckoos!
8. Fly a kite on the South Downs
With an elevated position overlooking rolling grassland, Devil’s Dyke is the ideal spot for kite-flying. Located just north of Brighton, the historic beauty spot is on the South Downs Way and offers views south to the English Channel.
9. Rock pooling
Trawl the rock pools at low tide to find crabs, barnacles and other sea beasties at Seven Sisters Voluntary Marine Conservation Area. There are access points along the shore, including Seaford Beach, Seven Sisters Country Park, Birling Gap and Eastbourne seafront.
Visit Sussex Top Tip: Stay over at The Star Alfriston and see more of the local area.
10. Go dune surfing
As the only sand dune system in East Sussex, Camber Sands is the perfect place to try out dune surfing this summer. While professionals may use snowboards, a simple sledge or piece of cardboard should suffice and will provide hours of fun.
Useful links:
Arundel Hotels
Chichester Hotels
Crawley Hotels
East Grinstead Hotels
Eastbourne Hotels
Littlehampton Hotels
