Top 10 Places To Go in East Sussex, England
England can be a fairly hard place to figure out if you have never visited before, and the obvious place tourists head to is the capital, London. Although London is obviously a fantastic destination, and a must-see for most, England has a lot to offer apart from the capital’s attractions. With a wide variety of urbanised and rural areas, England can almost feel like different countries depending where you choose to visit. In my top 10 places to go in East Sussex you will get a mix of family days out, mostly found in the city of Brighton, and a couple destinations in surrounding areas.
East Sussex is home to Brighton, and Brighton is the most popular place in the whole of Sussex, with an ever-increasing choice of things to do for families and young people.
So here are my top 10 places to go in East Sussex.
- Family Day Out at Drusillas Park- Leading Sussex Zoo
Drusillas Park is located in Alfriston, East Sussex, and is revered as the best small zoo in the country. There is something special about a great day out at the zoo with the family, and there is always something new and interesting to see. Drusillas have excelled in making the family day out at the zoo more than just walking through a park and peering at animals. There is high level of interactivity available making this zoo perfect for families with hard-to-entertain children, as well couples wanting to go for a stroll through the zoo.
- Brighton Beach
Brighton beach has made it into my top 10 list because it is a simple yet great way to unwind and soak up some of the culture of Brighton whilst sunning yourself on the pebbles. However, there is a more to the beach than the stunning sea and crashing waves. Brighton beach is surrounded with extra activities that make it a day out in itself. Once on the beach you can’t help but notice the strip of daytime/nightlife bars and clubs serving ice cold drinks and a variety of dishes from around the world.
- Pavilion Gardens
The pavilion gardens are steeped in history and magnificent to look at. Once in the gardens, you escape from the hustle and bustle of English city streets and enter into a garden of stunning wildlife, musical entertainment and of course the Royal Pavilion with its Eastern-inspired design and mysterious appeal.
- Brighton Marina
If you are interested in a day out that could consist of pretty much any type of food you like, from favourites such as Nandos and Pizza Hut to specialist Italian restaurants, then the Brighton Marina might be exactly what you’re looking for. The Brighton Marina of course offers a lot more than nice food; its appeal is its Sidney Australia-inspired design, beautiful boatyard and array of family activities such as the cinema, bowling complex and scenic walks.
- Preston Park in Brighton
Preston Park in Brighton is a large park located outside the city centre, with everything you need to have a relaxing family day out. There are classic park attractions such as children’s outdoor adventure activities, as well as areas of protected flora and fauna and enough open grass to have a good run around. The bus routes to town are efficient and regular, so you can head to see more of Brighton should you wish to.
- Brighton Palace Pier
As one of the most popular destinations in Brighton for the tourists, The Palace Pier is often overlooked by the people of Brighton, yet still incredibly popular with people from surrounding areas. Along the pier you will find traditional English seaside entertainment such as slot machines and arcades, as well as a nice variety of food from authentic oriental noodles to doughnuts and desert stalls. To top it off you have a great view of Brighton whilst you walk further over the sea towards some funfair style rides.
- North Laines and South Lanes Brighton
For the keen shoppers wanting to take home a piece of English fashion, the North Laines and South Lanes will be just what you are looking for. Divided by one of Brighton’s main roads (North Street) the Laines are a shoppers’ heaven and offer a completely different shopping experience to that of many English towns and cities. The maze of streets lined with niche and specialist shops make it impossible to not be intrigued and want to look further into every shop you see. You will find quirky and strange, traditional English and world inspired shops, restaurants and cafes to entertain you.
- South Downs National Park
The chalk downland of the South Downs National Park is a long stretch along the seafront attracting over 40 million visitors a year. The South Downs National Park runs from the East of Hampshire to East and West Sussex, with the most popular attractions being Beachy Head and Seven Sisters. As well as an international pull, the national park attracts many people from London looking for a break from the city.
- Kemptown Brighton
Another Brighton destination, and a must-see for anyone thinking about visiting Brighton or East Sussex. Kemptown is wellknown for its gay-friendly residents and local bars and clubs, but is worth seeing despite your orientation because of its great positioning and cultural place within England. Located close to the sea and very near the town centre, it is a popular place to live and an entertainment hotspot.
- Brighton Sea Life Centre
Brighton’s Sea Life Centre is a popular attraction located opposite the pier, and just a stones throw from the sea. After facing a complete refurbishment in Spring 2012, the Sea Life Centre is back and as popular as ever for people who want to see some of the wonders of the sea.
Author Bio
Tom Clark is a Brighton-based writer who enjoys writing about travel in the UK and giving advice on family days out in Sussex, England. He is writing on behalf of Drusillas Park http://www.drusillas.co.uk/.
(Image credit to Drusillas Park and Yuliya Libkina)