Holiday accommodation in West Sussex between coast, nature and culture

Culture and history

The remains of Bramber Castle stand on a high natural hill overlooking the River Adur and guarding a crossing through the South Downs. Petworth House is a magnificent 17th-century house with one of the most significant art collections owned by the National Trust, set in a 700-acre deer park. Petworth House and Park also offers a 3-mile (4.8 km) walk through 700 acres of parkland with ancient trees, fallow deer and views towards the South Downs. The Weald & Downland Living Museum presents 1,000 years of rural life through more than 50 rescued historic buildings.

Chichester Cathedral has stood at the centre of life in Chichester for more than nine centuries and welcomes visitors and pilgrims wishing to discover its significant religious heritage. It is located approximately half a mile from the railway station and can be reached on foot in an average of 10 minutes. Halnaker Windmill is a Grade 2 listed building; its surroundings also include a Second World War observation post and Neolithic earthworks.

Goodwood Estate is home to the Festival of Speed, Goodwood Revival and Glorious Goodwood. Goodwood’s Afternoon Tea and Tour experience combines a tour of the State Apartments with traditional afternoon tea made from organic ingredients produced at Goodwood Home Farm.

Nature and coast

Burton Mill and Chingford Ponds Local Nature Reserve is home to rare invertebrates at Burton Mill Pond, as well as bitterns, reed warblers and wild waterfowl. Fairmile Bottom Local Nature Reserve is also a Site of Special Scientific Interest and includes chalk grassland as well as yew and beech woodland. Pagham Harbour Local Nature Reserve is an internationally important wetland with salt marshes, mudflats, lagoons, reedbeds, farmland and a shingle beach.

Chichester Harbour is designated both as an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) and as a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI). Its sheltered waters offer numerous sailing clubs, sailing schools and sailing courses, as well as habitat for waterfowl, waders and a community of seals. West Wittering Beach has long stretches of soft sand and shallow water. The beach is suitable for walking, horse riding and watersports, particularly during the colder months.

Routes and experiences

The Wetlands Discovery Boat Safari at WWT Arundel is a guided experience in an electric boat through waterways, wet meadows and reedbeds. The South Downs Way is a multi-day walking trail with extensive panoramic views. For cycling trips, the Salterns Way runs mostly traffic-free and is entirely flat for 12 miles (19 km) between Chichester and West Wittering Beach.

Bill Way is a signposted, approximately 8-mile-long, one-way route from Chichester city centre to RSPB Pagham Harbour. West Sussex also has a mostly flat cycling route of approximately 13 km (8 miles).

Places in West Sussex

More local pages in West Sussex: Pagham, Worthing, Storrington, Steyning, Slinfold, Selsey, Rusper, Pulborough, Petworth, Lancing, Midhurst, Horsham, Henfield, Haywards Heath, East Grinstead, Crawley, Chichester, Bolney, Bognor Regis, Balcombe, Arundel, Ansty, Angmering, Albourne, Littlehampton, Hurstpierpoint, Fernhurst, Ford, Thakeham, Burgess Hill, Shoreham-By-Sea, Hassocks, Trotton, Rake, Wiston, Hunston, West Chiltington, Barnham, Amberley, Wisborough Green, West Wittering, Rustington, Rudgwick, Merston, Lindfield, Kirdford, Partridge Green, Funtington, Ferring, East Wittering, Birdham, Stedham, Coldwaltham, Madehurst, Plaistow, Billingshurst, Lurgashall, Westbourne, Lyminster, Lower Beeding, Boxgrove, Yapton, Faygate, Ardingly, Findon, Walberton, Southwick.

For the higher-level travel overview: South East England.