West Sussex

West Sussex ranges from the wooded slopes of the High Weald down to a coastline of quiet beaches and sailing waters, taking in market towns and small villages along the way. Arundel, with its castle and riverside charm, makes a natural base for exploring, while Midhurst and Petworth offer handsome streets, antique shops and easy access to surrounding parkland. East Grinstead sits close to the Weald's woodlands, and West Hoathly and Staplefield are smaller, quieter villages suited to walkers and those wanting a slower pace.

Towards the coast, Selsey and East Wittering draw visitors for sailing, beachcombing and bracing walks, with Sidlesham's harbourside setting adding a further peaceful option nearby. Lancing offers a livelier seafront stretch, while inland Findon and Dial Post remain rural and unhurried, ideal for those seeking countryside pubs and gentle exploring away from the busier towns.

West Sussex offers a wide spread of places to stay, from Arundel's guest houses beneath its castle walls to the smaller B&Bs scattered around Petworth and Midhurst. Arundel itself is well served, with options like House Arundel and East Beach Guest House down the coast in Littlehampton for those who prefer a seaside base.

For something more distinctive, The Old Railway Station and Amberley Castle show how varied the county's accommodation can be, while rural spots such as Woodacre B & B, near Houghton, and A Barn at South Downs Stay suit visitors drawn to the South Downs itself. Petworth and Midhurst work well for exploring inland market towns and antiques shops, while Arundel and Littlehampton put the river and coast within easy reach.

West Sussex mixes coast, downland and market towns, so its days out cover a lot of ground. Arundel draws visitors for its castle and historic streets, while Littlehampton and Worthing offer seafront amusements alongside newer additions like Just Race Driving Simulators Worthing. Inland, Wisborough Green and Pulborough are good bases for slower pursuits, from Pulborough Paddles on the river to the industrial exhibits at Amberley Museum and Heritage Centre.

Families tend to head for Fishers Farm Park near Wisborough Green or The Play Cafe, while National Trust properties such as Standen House and Garden near East Grinstead suit those after gardens and interiors. Steyning and Ardingly add smaller, more individual attractions, including Active Reality and the South Downs Light Railway, and Crawley's creative spaces like Art-Ful and Our Hope Hive round out the choice for wet-weather or rainy-day plans.

West Sussex covers a lot of ground, from the market towns of Billingshurst and Pulborough to the busier streets of East Grinstead, and its eating and drinking scene reflects that spread. Country pubs sit alongside bakeries, tandoori houses and cafés attached to museums or gift shops, so the choice often comes down to whether you want a proper sit-down meal or something quicker between stops.

Villages tend to offer a single well-used pub as the social hub, while the towns give you more variety, from patisseries and coffee stops to chain outlets and long-standing local restaurants. Weekend visitors exploring the Downs will find cafés geared towards walkers, while those staying longer can seek out the more established dining rooms for an evening meal.

West Sussex covers a lot of ground for campers, from the rolling chalk of the South Downs around Findon and Patching to the wooded, more secluded pitches near Horsted Keynes and East Grinstead. Shepherd's huts feature heavily here, with sites like Bluebell Shepherd's Hut, Splash Farm Shepherd's Huts and Sussex Meadow Shepherd's Huts offering a step up from a tent without straying far from farmland and open country.

Coastal stays near Pagham suit those wanting beach access alongside their camping, while inland spots around Petworth, Billingshurst and Henfield tend towards working farms and quieter fields, good for walkers heading into the Downs. Pop-up and small-scale sites such as Field and Fallow Pop-up Campsite sit alongside more established grounds like Kingfisher Campsite, so it's worth deciding whether you want simple, unserviced pitches or something with more comfort built in, as with Skoolie Stays or Furzefield Barn.

Self-catering options across West Sussex lean heavily towards Worthing, where the cottages and apartments we list make a good base for exploring the coast at your own pace. Properties like Greenfield Cottage 1866 and Pebble House suit those after a traditional feel, while the Ocean Properties collection and Marine Villa offer a more contemporary, seaside outlook.

The Ham Road Apartment and The White House Studio work well for shorter stays or smaller groups wanting to be close to the town centre and seafront, whereas The White House Retreat has more room to spread out. Most places are within easy reach of the beach, shops and restaurants, so choosing often comes down to space needed and how central you want to be.