East Sussex is a scenic ceremonial county in South East England known for its historic landmarks, dramatic cliffs like the Seven Sisters, vibrant coastal towns, and rich cultural festivals.
Alfriston Clergy House is a modest 14th-century Wealden hall house in East Sussex, notable as the first property acquired by the National Trust. It features timber framing, a thatched roof, and a historic cottage garden, offering visitors an authentic glimpse into medieval domestic architecture.
12 Oct (next Monday)
A guided walk of approximately 4.5 miles from Alfriston, climbing onto the Downs for views across the South Downs before descending to the Cuckmere valley and Lullington Church.
Devil's Dyke is a deep dry valley on the South Downs near Brighton, known for scenic views, walking, hang gliding, and historic Iron Age hillfort remains. It is managed by the National Trust and offers a popular outdoor experience for visitors.
Sheffield Park and Garden is a large landscape and woodland garden in East Sussex, originally designed by Capability Brown. It features a significant collection of rare plants and trees, natural ponds, and extensive grounds for outdoor exploration. The garden remains a National Trust property and offers visitors a serene and historic natural environment.
15 Oct, 3 Nov
Join professional forager Megan Howlett for a walk and talk through Sheffield Park’s gardens, exploring seasonal wild foods and learning about their folklore, history, uses and edibility.
Tilgate Zoo is a small accredited zoo located in Tilgate Park, Crawley, featuring 74 animal species across geographical zones with interactive experiences and conservation programs.
Nymans is a Grade II* listed English garden in West Sussex, featuring extensive woodland, rare plants, and the picturesque ruins of a mock-medieval stone manor. Managed by the National Trust, it showcases a variety of historic horticultural styles and plant collections.
10 Oct–1 Nov (next week)
A Halloween activity trail at Nymans, inspired by the children’s books. Follow the bunnies’ ghost-hunting adventure, try activities including Halloween hoopla and broomstick racing, and collect a sticker at the celebration party.
East Dean and Friston is a civil parish in East Sussex featuring the coastal hamlet of Birling Gap, known for its scenic Seven Sisters chalk cliffs, pebble beach, and National Trust visitor facilities including a cafe and shop. It offers a natural outdoor experience with coastal views and geological interest.
Standen is an Arts and Crafts house in West Sussex, featuring original Morris & Co. interiors and an extensive Arts and Crafts garden. Visitors can explore the historic house and surrounding gardens managed by the National Trust.
5 Oct–1 Nov (another 23 days)
A Halloween-themed trail around the garden, with spooky features including creepy crows and Standen bats. Visitors can explore the Spookiful Bothy and take part in creative activities in the Witchard den.
Camber Castle is a 16th-century Device Fort built by Henry VIII near Rye, East Sussex, to protect the coast from invasion. It is a ruined concentric artillery fortress operated by English Heritage, open to visitors for guided tours. The castle is notable for its historic military architecture and coastal location.
Wakehurst is a historic estate in West Sussex featuring a late 16th-century mansion, extensive botanic gardens, and the international Millennium Seed Bank. Visitors can explore the gardens and mansion, enjoy the woodland and wetland conservation areas, and dine onsite. It offers a rich horticultural experience including the largest Christmas tree in England and national plant collections.
10 Oct (this Saturday)
A local mycologist leads a circular walk through the woods and meadows of Borde Hill’s South Park to explore fungi. Afterwards, attendees can ask questions over tea, coffee and cake inside the Ginkgo Coffee Shop.
Smallhythe Place is a Tudor-era historic house and theatre museum in Kent, dedicated to Victorian actress Ellen Terry, featuring her theatrical collection, costume displays, beautiful gardens, and an active barn theatre hosting numerous productions annually.
Sissinghurst Castle Garden in Kent is a renowned historic garden created by Vita Sackville-West and Harold Nicolson, featuring an influential series of garden rooms, including the iconic White Garden. Located on Tudor-era estate buildings, it showcases a vast collection of old garden roses and other plants, attracting large numbers of visitors and managed by the National Trust.
Bateman's is a 17th-century Jacobean house in Burwash, East Sussex, known as the home of Rudyard Kipling. Visitors can explore the house preserved as it was in Kipling's time, including his study and collections, as well as the garden and the historic water mill on the estate.
23 May–1 Nov (another 23 days)
A family trail at Bateman’s inspired by Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler’s Monkey Puzzle. Visitors explore the house and garden, helping Little Monkey find his mum through interactive games and challenges.
Lamb House is an 18th-century writer's house museum in Rye, East Sussex, showcasing the home and garden of renowned authors like Henry James. Visitors can explore the historic interiors and the walled garden, enjoying both indoor and outdoor heritage experiences.
Rye is a picturesque historic town in East Sussex, known for its medieval streets, cobbled lanes, and rich maritime history as a former Cinque Port. It offers a vibrant arts scene, cultural festivals, and local seafood specialties, making it a popular tourist destination.
Bayham Old Abbey is a historic 13th-century Premonstratensian abbey ruins located near Lamberhurst, Kent. Now maintained by English Heritage, visitors can explore scenic outdoor ruins featuring ornate stonework and a nearby gatehouse, set within landscaped grounds enhanced by famous landscape gardener Humphry Repton.
Bodiam Castle is a 14th-century moated castle in East Sussex, England, known for its distinctive quadrangular design with towers and battlements. Set in a landscaped environment with an ornamental moat, it showcases medieval architecture and history. The castle is a ruin open to the public under the care of the National Trust and has been featured in films and television.
10 Oct–1 Nov (next week)
Families can follow a magical, Halloween-themed trail around Bodiam Castle, making potions, discovering spells and taking part in activities. On weekends, visitors can also enter a spooky best-dressed costume competition in the castle courtyard.
Monk's House is a 16th-century cottage in Rodmell, East Sussex, notable as the home of writer Virginia Woolf and the Bloomsbury Group. Visitors can explore the period interiors, her writing lodge, and the garden with views of Mount Caburn, all operated by the National Trust as a writer's house museum.
The Litlington White Horse is a large outdoor chalk hill figure of a prancing horse on Hindover Hill, East Sussex. Originally cut in 1838 and recut in 1924, it is maintained by the National Trust and is a notable local landmark with historical and cultural significance, popular for hiking and scenic views.
Scotney Castle in Kent is a National Trust property featuring a medieval moated manor ruins and an early Tudor Revival country house surrounded by picturesque gardens with seasonal floral displays. Visitors can explore both indoor historic house spaces and outdoor gardens with historical and natural highlights.
Battle Abbey is a historic Benedictine abbey site in East Sussex, England, built on the site of the Battle of Hastings. Visitors can explore the abbey ruins, enjoy the visitor centre with exhibitions and film, participate in audio tours of the battlefield, and use child-friendly facilities including a discovery room and playground.
Battle is a historic market town in East Sussex famous for the 1066 Battle of Hastings and its medieval abbey, with a charming high street, cultural heritage, and scenic walking opportunities.