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With miles of breath-taking coastline and acres of countryside, there are plenty of things to do in Sussex. Whether you love the outdoors, nightlife, culture and history or all things food, you’re sure to be in for a treat. Make the most of this stunning county with a stay at one of our YHA hostels.

South Downs National Park

One of the most popular things to do in Sussex is visiting the South Downs National Park. With miles of dramatic coastline, wide open green spaces and lots in-between, it’s clear why this national park is one of ‘Britain’s Breathing Spaces.’ The South Downs National Park offers a diverse landscape and it truly is breath-taking, with something for everyone, whether its walking, cycling or more.

Stay at: YHA South Downs, YHA Truleigh Hill

Eastbourne 

With award-winning beaches, a beautiful coastline and a great vibe of its own, Eastbourne is Brighton’s scenic sibling and visiting this vibrant town should definitely be on your ‘things to do in Sussex’ list. And with YHA Eastbourne situated in the heart of it all, you will have everything you need to recharge after a day’s exploring.

Stay at: YHA Eastbourne

Brighton Palace Pier 

There’s nowhere in the world quite like Brighton Pier. Take a stroll along the pier with an ice-cream in hand and take in the beautiful views of the South Coast or sit-back and relax in the deck chairs and soak up some English sun. Rain or shine, the pier has something for everyone. Arcades, amusements, cocktails or coffee, it’s a definite must-see when visiting Sussex. Make sure you buy a stick of rock!

Stay at: YHA Brighton

The Royal Pavilion 

Visit this exotic palace in Brighton city centre and learn about its rich and colourful history. The architecture mixes both Indian and Chinese styles to create a royal grandeur. Once home to George, Prince of Wales, it is now open to the public to explore its magnificent interiors. Once you have finished exploring the building, you can explore it’s just-as-beautiful gardens and stop in the tea rooms for a coffee and cake.

Stay at: YHA Brighton

Camilla’s Bookshop 

Books, books and books everywhere you look in this quirky little bookshop. There are books from every era and every genre – making it the perfect place for any book worms or fiction enthusiasts. The independent bookshop has over 500,000 books spread over three floors and is just five minutes away from Eastbourne Station. Even if you’re not a book lover, take a step inside as this shop is truly like something out of a fairytale itself. It should definitely be on your ‘things to do in Sussex’ list.

Stay at: YHA Eastbourne

The Windmill Theatre 

Last on our list of things to do in Sussex is paying a visit to the Windmill Theatre. It boasts a vibrant community of talented actors and dance groups who entertain audiences all year round. The theatre also doubles up as a cinema and showcases both new and classic films with a range of genres. Whether you’re wanting to see a dramatic performance of Shakespeare, a contemporary dance performance or a new film, The Windmill Theatre offers it all.

Stay at: YHA Littlehampton

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Written by Ruby Higton

Here is Ruby and she is a digital marketer at YHA. She looks after social media, content writing and SEO. Her favourite hostel is YHA Perranporth.

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DestinationsThings to do in Sussex