Things to do & places to visit in East Sussex, United Kingdom

East Sussex #13 destination in United Kingdom 2023. The average rating score is 4.35 based on 74.5k traveler reviews, of 34 attractions. Timezone: Europe/London, current date and time: Monday, May 06, 2024, 5:23.

Top things to do (30)

Top places to visit (30 attractions) view more »

5.0 Pier Pressure Brighton Escape Rooms (1.754 reviews)
- A brilliant family activity
Monday: 10:00 AM - 8:00 PM Spent 1-2 hours Escape Games

Be the hero and save the day at Pier Pressure, Brighton's biggest escape room venue. We've created locally themed puzzle games and you can pick an experience from one of Brighton's golden eras. Also home of the UK's top rated escape room 2019. See more..
5.0 Seven Sisters Country Park (1.360 reviews)
- Very pretty and peaceful
Monday: 12:00 AM - 11:59 PM Parks

Seven Sisters Country Park is a unique place. It comprises 280 hectares of chalk cliffs, meandering river valley and open chalk grassland. It’s home to grazing sheep, rare flora and fauna and is a corridor for a large number of migrating birds. The river Cuckmere cuts right through the Park and visitors can follow the adjacent footpath from the Visitors Centre to the coast. Situated at Exceat, near Seaford, East Sussex, the Park is well served by buses from Brighton, Seaford and Eastbourne, making it ideal for a car-free day out. See more..
5.0 Oliver's Brighton (831 reviews)
- LOVE THE EXPERIENCE
Monday: Spent < 1 hour Speciality & Gift Shops

Multi award-winning secret wizarding shop. Over 2000 five-star reviews & 15 awards. The secret wizarding shop is by appointment only. Here at Oliver's Brighton, we want every visitor to have a magical time, this is why we offer a private shopping experience. During your visit you will have the shop all to yourself for up to 30 minutes to browse the hundreds of official quality Harry Potter items. We also have ice-cold Butterscotch Beer, Chocolate Frogs, Bertie Bott's Every Flavour Beans & many other enchanted treats. No matter how old you are, Oliver's Brighton will transport you to a magical world. Oliver's Brighton is not affiliated with the Harry Potter franchise, J.K. Rowling or Warner Bros. See more..
5.0 East Sussex Falconry (451 reviews)
- Unique and wonderful experience!
Monday: Nature & Wildlife Areas

I have never been to another falconry experience, so this experience was new and felt totally unique to me. It was an immersive one. We walked the ground of a beautiful 15th-century castle with our very enthusiastic and knowledgeable guide Gerard, and one or two birds never far away. We learned so much about the art of falconry but most importantly about the birds of prey and their incredible superpowers. They are wonderful and full of character. We felt so so lucky to be part of this experience and will warmly recommend anyone to do the full-day experience. See more..
5.0 Encryption Escape Rooms (304 reviews)
- Fabulous
Monday: Spent 1-2 hours Escape Games • Coffeehouses

Safe, Immersive Family Fun. Interactive escape rooms for all ages situation in a rural location, including a tea rooms with seating outside overlooking the wonderful South Downs. Plenty of free on site parking, solve the puzzles and riddles in our themed rooms and escape within one hour! Our licensed attached Tea room is available for drinks and snacks. See more..
5.0 Sussex Boat Trips (223 reviews)
- Exhilerating, Exciting, Informative
Monday: 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM Adrenaline & Extreme Tours • Taxis & Shuttles • Boat Tours

Wow! What an amazing hour this was. We booked the Seven Sisters one hour tour and thoroughly enjoyed the experience from start to finish. The joining instructions were clear. The pre-trip safety talk was perfect and Covid-19 compliant. John did a truly fantastic job of guiding us on to the boat and sharing local knowledge and sights on the way. The speed of the boat was breathtaking - a great experience enjoyed by myself, my wife and two sons. I would highly recommend this trip and it has made me want to try the longer trip towards Brighton and the Wind Farm. See more..
4.5 Royal Pavilion (8.359 reviews)
- Beautiful building with a fascinating history.
Monday: 9:30 AM - 5:00 PM Spent 2-3 hours Historic Sites • Points of Interest & Landmarks • Architectural Buildings

The Royal Pavilion is an exotic palace in the centre of Brighton with a colourful history. Built as a seaside pleasure palace for King George IV, this historic house mixes Regency grandeur with the visual style of India and China. A Prince's Treasure - A spectacular loan from Her Majesty The Queen is currently on display at the Royal Pavilion until Autumn 2021. The culmination of a collaborative venture between Royal Collection Trust and the Royal Pavilion & Museums, over 120 remarkable decorative works of art that were originally commissioned by the Prince Regent, have been relocated from Buckingham Palace and re-united in their previous setting of the Royal Pavilion. See more..
4.5 The Lanes (6.230 reviews)
- Interesting amble.......
Monday: 12:00 AM - 11:59 PM Neighborhoods • Points of Interest & Landmarks • Historic Walking Areas

This area is home to an eclectic mix of shops and restaurants. See more..
4.5 Beachy Head (4.123 reviews)
- Cliff top walk
Nature & Wildlife Areas • Geologic Formations • Scenic Walking Areas

Great walk along the coast path. Having parked in the pay and display car park near The Beach Head cafe we walked past Beachy Head lighthouse to Belle Tout lighthouse. The path is clearly marked and has a couple of up and downs as you follow the contour of the cliffs and takes just under 2 hours at gentle pace. See more..
4.5 North Laine (2.985 reviews)
- Walk around
Neighborhoods

We really enjoyed looking at the street art , the funny cards had to buy a few. The bakery cafe was a little expensive but different so didn’t mind paying it .the quirky shops was lovely to walk around in some very unusual items . The fudge shop was delicious. Would totally recommend going See more..
4.5 Old Town Hastings (2.721 reviews)
- Bonfire of the Vanities
Neighborhoods

On the 16th of October watched an impressive torch light display through the old town. The people had varied costumes and many played drums and other instruments. The group congregated on the beach at an enormous bonfire. There was then a spectacular firework display. Interesting but not very good in terms of carbon emissions. See more..
4.5 Drusillas Park (2.218 reviews)
- Brilliant but bring packed lunch!!!!
Monday: 10:00 AM - 6:00 PM Spent More than 3 hours Amusement & Theme Parks • Zoos

Widely regarded as the best small zoo in Europe. Drusillas Park offers a fun finding-out day out where hundreds of animals are only half the fun! Experience the NEW Rainforest Adventure attraction with four new rides: Toucan Twister, Jungle Jeep, Amazon Skyrise and Junior Jeep. Brilliant play areas including immersive sensory experience SPARK, Go Wild!, Go Bananas! and soft-play Amazon Adventure. Plus a splashpad and African-themed three-ride attraction Go Safari! Get nose to nose with nature with our close encounters. It’s no ordinary zoo! See more..
4.5 Battle Abbey and Battlefield (2.134 reviews)
- A great day learning about one of the most important English historical events
Monday: Spent 1-2 hours Battlefields

Stand at the centre of where England's future was fought. Imagine and discover the stories unfold, brought to life in the exhibition and in audio as you follow the footsteps of the Norman & Saxon soldiers. Watch the compelling film about the Norman invasion, then plan your own attack on the country's most famous battlefield. See the new wood carved sculpture trail around the battlefield, experience the stunning 360 views from the new rooftop viewing platforms, and take your time to explore the monastic ruins. For kids we now also have a new kids natural play area, and a fun kids trail. Make sure you experience the atmosphere for yourself. See more..
4.5 Bodiam Castle (2.091 reviews)
- Advance booking is essential
Monday: 10:00 AM - 4:30 PM Castles

A majestic 14th Century moated castle, with ruined interior and splendid grounds. Take part in various medieval activities, all year round. Admission price covers entry to castle and grounds. Opening hours are 10:30 til 5pm or dusk if earlier. Please note that last entry to the castle is at approx. 3:20pm during winter. See more..
4.5 Camber Sands (1.878 reviews)
- Beautiful sandy beach with dunes
Beaches

Though the car park was pricey £12.50 for 3-5 hours there are toilets , cafe and a mat on the sand for ease of taking on a wheel chair or pushchair. You are also close to the sand dunes. When the tide is out the beach is massive. When the tide comes in quite quickly. There are life guards here. There are also bins for rubbish which meant when we were there there was not any rubbish on the beach. We really enjoyed our day on this sandy beach. See more..
4.5 Birling Gap and the Seven Sisters (1.837 reviews)
- Beautiful unspoilt beach
Monday: 12:00 AM - 11:59 PM Spent 2-3 hours Geologic Formations

World-famous Seven Sisters chalk cliffs are one of the longest stretches of undeveloped coastline on the south coast. See more..
4.5 Sovereign Harbour Marina (1.457 reviews)
- Wonderful Water-side Walks - Free Parking Close By
Marinas

There is plentiful free parking (and, as far as I could discern, without time limit). The Marina offers endless possibilities for waterside walks both long and short and the actual seafront is close by too. We felt that the modern, domestic architecture was entirely appropriate and largely "human" in scale. Few recently-designed locations manage to be this attractive. Not everything is modern, however, there are two Martello towers within easy walking distance. See more..
4.5 Sheffield Park and Garden (1.256 reviews)
- Beautiful, particularly this time of year.
Monday: 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM Spent More than 3 hours Parks • Gardens

Sheffield Park and Garden has something for everyone from our magnificent landscape gardens and lakes to the rolling parkland and woodland play trail. See more..
4.5 Hastings Fishermen's Museum (1.097 reviews)
- Lovely Local Museum on the Lives (and Deaths) of Hastings Fishermen
Monday: 11:00 AM - 4:00 PM Speciality Museums

Lovely small museum on the lives (and deaths) of fishermen in the area. Hastings was an important fishing port back in the day, and this place offers a fascinating glimpse into its history, albeit often tragic. There are countless items to explore, most of them donated by local people over the years. Heart and centre of the exhibit is an original fishing boat, but there are numerous tools, memorabilia, newspaper articles and historical photos to see. Entry is free, you're welcome to take photos, please leave a small donation before your departure. When in Hastings, this place is a must. Hastings Contemporary (art gallery) and the Shipwreck Museum are close by, too. See more..
4.5 Devil's Dyke National Trust (1.063 reviews)
- You've Got To Go For The Sunset!
Monday: 12:00 AM - 11:59 PM Spent 2-3 hours Valleys

A legendary beauty spot on the South Downs Devil’s Dyke, just five miles north of Brighton, offers stunning panoramas, a record breaking valley, a curious history and England’s most colourful habitat. At nearly a mile long, the Dyke valley is the longest, deepest and widest 'dry valley' in the UK. Legend has it that the Devil dug this chasm to drown the parishioners of the Weald. On the other hand, scientists believe it was formed naturally just over 10,000 years ago in the last ice age. With a little exploring the Dyke's story starts to reveal itself: The ramparts or walls of the Iron Age hill fort can be seen when you walk around the hill and the remains of the curious Victorian funfair can be found just a few minutes from the car park. Venture into the valley and you will discover a living carpet of flowers and a myriad of colourful insects. Please note - The Pub is not owned by the National Trust. See more..
4.5 Rye Harbour Nature Reserve (968 reviews)
- An amazing and free wildlife experience for everyone.
Monday: 12:00 AM - 11:59 PM Spent 2-3 hours Nature & Wildlife Areas

A coastal nature reserve with 5 birdwatching hides and miles of footpaths to explore. Habitats include saltmarsh, shingle, saline lagoons, grazing marsh and reedbed. Visit at any time of year to see a range of birds, plants and other animals, including many that are rare. Find out more by visiting the website. Our Discovery Centre is open 10-4pm every day. IDEAL FOR VISITING BY TRAIN TO RYE. GREAT PLACE FOR WHEELCHAIR USERS AND MOBILITY SCOOTERS. See more..
4.5 Bateman's (939 reviews)
- Jacobean House belonging to the Most Famous Writer of the Early 20th Century!
Monday: 10:00 AM - 4:30 PM Spent 1-2 hours Historic Sites

Bateman's is a beautiful old sandstone house surrounded rolling Sussex countryside and was home to one of the greatest writers of our time, Rudyard Kipling. Soak up the atmosphere of Kipling's study and enjoy the serenity of the formal garden. Experience the valley which influenced many of Kipling's poems and stories. Open all year round. See more..
4.5 St. Mary's Parish Church (805 reviews)
- Worth a visit
Historic Sites • Churches & Cathedrals

For more than 900 years the Parish Church of Rye, dedicated to St Mary the Virgin, has dominated the hill on which the old town stands. Today, if you wish, you can climb the church tower where, from the top, you can see magnificent views of Rye and the surrounding countryside. St Mary's is open to visitors every day of the year, except for Christmas Day, from 9.15Am - 5.15Pm in summer and 9.15Am - 4.15Pm in winter. Admission to the church is FREE. The Visitor Centre stocks a good range of postcards, Christian greetings cards, prayer cards, books, gifts and Christian jewellery. The Tower, which is open every day (weather permitting) for a charge, has become a popular place for marriage proposals! See more..
4.5 Undercliff Walk (794 reviews)
- Excellent bike ride from Brighton to Saltdean
Monday: 9:00 AM - 6:00 PM Hiking Trails

We hired bikes from BTN bikes which was so easy to do and you can pick up and drop off bikes at various hubs around the city. We cycled the Undercliff Trail which is a wide and flat concrete path following the coast with amazing views along the way. The Trail passes Brighton Marina then continues to Rottingdean, Saltdean and beyond - but this was far enough for us today at just over miles! (there and back). See more..
4.5 Alexandra Park (740 reviews)
- Lovely, varied, atmospheric - and huge
Monday: 12:00 AM - 11:59 PM Nature & Wildlife Areas • Parks • Playgrounds

Given that Hastings/St. Leonards are not vast places themselves, this park is huge by comparison. Having parked, for convenience, near the Hastings gate for a busy Sunday afternoon walk around town, before returning to the car visited the war memorial took a short walk, then sat watching the pond and birds and enjoying evening sunshine and fresh air for a while. Late evening sun lining the tree tops and glittering off the water, this really is a place to sit and recharge, despite the abundance of electric scooter riders who insist on charging through. See more..
4.5 Eastbourne Miniature Steam Railway Adventure Park (566 reviews)
- Immaculate miniature railway with children’s play areas
Monday: 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM Amusement & Theme Parks

A Railway Adventure in Eastbourne. Travel behind the famous one-eighth scale miniature locomotives as they meander for nearly a mile around the beautiful country park. Enjoy a pleasant stroll around the five-acre lake where nature and wildlife may be seen in their natural habitats. Relax in the prize-winning tea gardens with a beverage, lunch or Cream Tea from the railway style cafe. Picnic areas, model railways and the Railway Gift Shop. Also for the children is an adventure playground to help "let off steam". See more..
4.5 Shipwreck Museum (527 reviews)
- An Absolute Gem!
Monday: Speciality Museums

The Shipwreck Museum is an independent charitable Museum of the Nautical Museums Trust Charity No. 284687 – set in the historic Old Town of Hastings, UK. The Museum has artefacts from many ships wrecked in the English Channel from the Goodwin Sands in Kent to Pevensey Bay in East Sussex including the Amsterdam a Dutch East Indiaman of 1749 and the Anne of 1690 also the Charles II warship. There are also exhibits of fossils found in the local area. We are a multi-sensory Museum with sound, touch and smell. The museum is fully accessible for wheelchair users. Admission is free! See more..
4.5 Hastings Country Park (441 reviews)
- It's a great place for dogs (and humans)
Monday: 12:00 AM - 11:59 PM Nature & Wildlife Areas

Accessible by public transport, there's also a car park (pay and display) with toilets, the Hatings Country Park is a great place for dogs (and humans). You can wander about in its vast open spaces and look at the views out to sea. And, if you are so minded, there's facilities where you can prepare your own barbeque. See more..
4.5 Royal Pavilion (8.359 reviews)
- Beautiful building with a fascinating history.
Monday: 9:30 AM - 5:00 PM Spent 2-3 hours Historic Sites • Points of Interest & Landmarks • Architectural Buildings

The Royal Pavilion is an exotic palace in the centre of Brighton with a colourful history. Built as a seaside pleasure palace for King George IV, this historic house mixes Regency grandeur with the visual style of India and China. A Prince's Treasure - A spectacular loan from Her Majesty The Queen is currently on display at the Royal Pavilion until Autumn 2021. The culmination of a collaborative venture between Royal Collection Trust and the Royal Pavilion & Museums, over 120 remarkable decorative works of art that were originally commissioned by the Prince Regent, have been relocated from Buckingham Palace and re-united in their previous setting of the Royal Pavilion. See more..
4.5 The Lanes (6.230 reviews)
- Interesting amble.......
Monday: 12:00 AM - 11:59 PM Neighborhoods • Points of Interest & Landmarks • Historic Walking Areas

This area is home to an eclectic mix of shops and restaurants. See more..