Take a trip to Sussex, UK
Get ready to explore the incredible range of countryside that Sussex has to offer! Whilst many parts of England have a unique beauty, Sussex has everything you could wish for. From the seaside to country pubs nestled in endless fields, quaint villages to busy cities, you will find delicious food, and fantastic places to stay, so don’t think twice about a visit to this wonderful county. Whether you’re on holiday, or dropping off your child at a summer camp or boarding school with us, it is definitely worth paying a visit to a couple of our recommendations featured in this blog. After all, it would be unfair for your children to have all the fun!
The south eastern corner of England has historically been a desirable place to live; it is no coincidence that artists such as William Blake and J.M.W. Turner, as well as iconic British poet Rudyard Kipling all lived in this wonderful county at one point or another.
It is also where the famous Battle of Hastings took place, making it a county rich in history just waiting to be explored! Well-located for many of the schools that we work with here at ninetonineworld, make sure you stop in to as many of the places in this blog as you can during your trip.
You’ll find all the places mentioned in this blog though this link!
1. Enjoy a day in Arundel (West Sussex)
Arundel is a beautiful town full of history and culture, the perfect place to visit when in Sussex. Looking around Arundel, you won’t quite believe your eyes, the stunning castle and grand cathedral are the obvious sights to see, but they wouldn’t be nearly as magnificent if it weren’t for the other ancient buildings you’ll see in the town which add to its unique aesthetic.
Arundel Castle
The vast Arundel Castle is visible from all around town, but you don’t truly experience the tales told by the 1,000-year-old walls without paying a visit inside. Take a walk around the grounds and let your mind wander back to the times where it was a defensive fort looking over the view of the southern green planes. Arundel Castle is a truly awe-inspiring place filled with history and magic just waiting to be enjoyed by visitors.
Arundel Cathedral
Compared to the castle, the cathedral may seem relatively new, whereas in reality, it was commissioned to be built way back in 1868. Its French gothic style makes it a marvel to look at, and whether you visit for many concerts or recitals held here, during the Christmas festival or the summer arts festival in Arundel, it’ll be a fantastic visit.
Where to stay in Arundel
Bailiffscourt Hotel & Spa
A short 15-minute drive away lies this countryside hotel which is perfect for you to unwind after a long day exploring the town of Arundel. Lord it up in this pleasing cluster of antique-filled medieval mansions built in 20th-century. Enjoy a stroll in the grounds and then relax in the smart modern spa and pools set beside the sea near Littlehampton. You might even see Kevin, the resident peacock!
Where to eat Arundel
Tea Rooms
Would you really have been to England if you didn’t treat yourself to a traditional Afternoon Tea and taste a classic English scone? The answer is no, which is good news for you because Arundel is the perfect place to do just this. Arundel has an exceptional range of Tea Rooms, in which you can sit back, relax, and enjoy the wonders of a classic British afternoon with tea and cake galore. One of the best on offer in Arundel’s winding streets is Cockburn’s Tea Rooms, however we are certain that whichever you come across will not disappoint you. Be sure to pay a visit to The Tea and Biscuit Club afterwards, where you’ll be able to buy an authentic English tea pot to take home with you.
2. Breathe in the sea air in Rye (East Sussex)
Rye is a place loved by locals, but perfectly accommodates to tourists too. Located on the beautiful Sussex coastline, you definitely have to taste the classic British dish of fish & chips and don’t forget to add salt & vinegar to try it as a local.
Camber Sands
A very short drive away from Rye’s centre (or a very long walk), you’ll find one of the most popular beaches around, Camber Sands. When it’s cold and wet, it’s very cold and wet. When it’s bright and sunny it’s heaving with locals looking for a day on the beach. And whatever the season it always seems to be very windy. But this is England! And whatever the season, with every visit you will have a picturesque walk, you’ll breathe in the sea air, and your children will love climbing on the sand dunes and running along the vast beach. Good times are guaranteed at Camber Sands.
Golf and tennis in Rye
If you’re looking to play some sport, Rye Tennis Club is close to the town centre, there is a lake where you can windsurf among other water sports, and the nationwide famous Rye Golf Club is very close to Camber Sands. After a morning playing sport or walking across the beach, there are many amazing restaurants waiting for your return in the old streets.
Where to eat in Rye
The Ambrette, Rye
The Ambrette, located in the historic seaside town of Rye, boasts food packed full of flavour in its largely contemporary Asian menu. Foraged seaweed, game, and traditional lamb and chicken from local suppliers are just some of the ingredients that go into the unique mixture of cultures and cuisines offered here. The Ambrette uses locally sourced ingredients wherever possible to add further to the delightful menu.
Where to stay in Rye
The Gallivant Hotel, Rye
A winning blend of Hamptons cool and quirky British seaside, this beachfront motel should be on the bucket list of any food mileage-aware gourmet. It boasts pretty gardens, coastal-chic rooms and a massage hut as well as an award-winning restaurant. A 5-minute drive from Rye and making the journey to Camber Sands and Rye Golf Club virtually nothing, The Gallivant is a fantastic place to stay when visiting Rye.
3. Wander round the historic city of Chichester (West Sussex)
Chichester is home to many fabulous places to walk around and explore with your family. West Dean and Bishop’s Palace Gardens are both green, open spaces which accommodate just this. Bishop’s Palace feels like a beautiful home garden of the highest quality, and as well as this sense of familiarity, you get a great view of the Cathedral. West Dean Gardens is one of the greatest restored gardens open to the public in England. With a 300-foot-long Edwardian pergola, Victorian glasshouses, walled kitchen gardens, sunken gardens, and orchards, it’s impossible to get bored when wandering round here. For a walk with a bit more gusto, head to Kingley Vale for a hike along the trail, passing by centuries old trees, and getting to an incline with an unmissable view at the top.
Be sure to make the journey to the magnificent Goodwood House, combining the awe of an English country house with the warmth of a family home, visitors are allowed from March to October to admire the architecture, gardens, and the incredible range of art on display. If you’re lucky, and visiting at the right time of year, you may be able to catch the famous Goodwood Revival Festival. Goodwood Revival is a celebration of classic cars paired with fantastic clothes worn by all party-goers. The aesthetic of clothes and cars combined will make you feel like you’re back in the 60s, and held in September, it gets the last part of the British summertime weather. Enjoy the friendly and fun atmosphere and watch the cars as they race each other around the Goodwood track.
Where to sleep in Chichester?
El Royal Oak Inn
On the doorstep of the famous Goodwood Racing Course, you can find the Royal Oak Inn, this gastro pub presents excellent food in the unpretentious surrounds of a low-ceilinged bar with real fires. There are smart rooms and cottages with views of the rolling English fields to wake up to during your stay.
4. Brighton: The seaside city that everyone dreams of visiting (East Sussex)
Brighton is world famous for being a vibrant, colourful, and fun city. It is somewhere everyone has to visit when in Sussex, whether for a day at the beach, or to explore the city, we would highly recommend it. The iconic Brighton Pier should be your first stop, as with many British seaside towns and cities, the pier leading out to sea is every child’s dream location, and every adult’s secret nostalgic treat. With rides galore, seaside food, and the beach just below, you can’t go wrong.
If you’re keen to do a bit of shopping, Brighton is the perfect destination. The shops on offer range from the big retailers on Churchill Square, to the narrow and bustling Brighton Lanes which are filled with vintage second-hand clothes shops among other cool options, that are very popular with visitors.
Where to Eat in Brighton?
The Tempest Inn, Brighton
A fun, busy restaurant/bar which would be perfect for a visit during the day for a chilled-out lunch, or in the evening as music starts to play. The modern terrace upstairs offers sun and sea air as you tuck into their delicious menu, whilst downstairs the setting is a warren of caves very easy to lose yourself in, where you´ll feel like smugglers hiding their contraband, or sailors sheltering from a storm. The Tempest Inn is bound to fascinate your children and feel like they’re on a seaside adventure, but we have a feeling it’ll bring out your youth even if you go without them!
Fish & Chips on the beach!
Being on the south coast there are two things for certain when it comes to food, A – you can’t leave without having Fish & Chips, and B – you won’t have to go too far to find it! The most classic British dish is of course made all over the country, with some offering fresher fish and crunchier chips than the rest, but it’s ALWAYS best by the sea. So, we won’t recommend a particular place to find your Fish & Chips, just know that you’re in a great area so it’ll all be great. One thing, look out for those pesky seagulls, it’s their favourite.
Where to sleep?
The Grand, Brighton
Situated on the city’s historic seafront, over a third of The Grand’s rooms offer a fantastic sea view to wake up to in the morning. The city’s most iconic hotel offers the perfect base for you to come and explore the marvellous place that is Brighton. Staying in at the Grand isn’t too bad an option either, with fresh seafood from the Cyan Restaurant, and an award-winning afternoon tea by the sea on the Victoria Terrace, relaxing is most certainly allowed here.
Other places to visit in Sussex
Drusillas Park, Alfriston
A place where your children will make very happy memories, Drusillas has been called ‘the best small zoo in Europe’. With exotic animals as far as the eye can see, and adventure themed play areas dotted around the park, there are no dulls moments. Enjoy going on a wide range of rides, try to find your way out of a maze, and of course come and say hello to the Monkeys, Penguins, and all the other animals awaiting your arrival!
The Old House, Copthorne
The Old House Inn is just a 10-minute drive from Gatwick Airport, but you’ll find yourself wondering how you’re in the middle of the countryside after such a short journey. This makes it the perfect spot to stop off at for a lunch before arriving or coming straight from the airport. The food on offer is classic British pub food, which is something everyone needs to try on a visit over, yet the menu also includes modern British cuisine with a creative twist. Working with mostly seasonal ingredients, your food will be perfectly cooked and beautifully presented, all surrounded by the views and sounds of the Sussex countryside, what more could you want as a hello or goodbye meal?
Gravetye Manor, East Grinstead
Gravetye Manor was built in 1598 for recently married couple Richard Infield and Katharine Compton, their initials can still be seen in the stone over the main entrance door from the formal garden. A home for hundreds of years, this property’s 1000 acres certainly have some tales to tell, and now it’s no longer a private property, it has allowed everyone to experience the beauty of Gravetye. In 1885, William Robinson, one of the most famous gardeners of all time, purchased the house and land and the luxury hotel is still surrounded by Robinson’s stunning landscaping to this day.
Knepp is a 3,500-acre estate just south of Horsham, West Sussex. Since 2001, the land – once intensively farmed – has been devoted to a pioneering rewilding project. Using grazing animals as the drivers of habitat creation, the project allows all animals to live naturally without the influence of humans. You will find extremely rare species like turtle doves, nightingales, peregrine falcons and purple emperor butterflies and even storks here. You can also camp here and enjoy the magic of the park under the stars. It’s perfect for a day out with the children or a night in the natural English countryside.
