It’s English Tourism Week and we’re celebrating all there is to see and do in our beautiful county. Home to so many unique and independent attractions, accommodation providers, local food and drink outlets and independent makers, it’s the perfect opportunity for us to truly showcase what West Sussex has to offer.
We’ve put together a build your own style itinerary below so you can plan out your ideal West Sussex trip and see all of the amazing things you could do in a day or two!
Where will you start the day with breakfast?
The Riverside Tea Rooms are perfectly situated along the River Arun in Amberley. Close to the train station and the South Downs Way, it’s the ideal place to start off before heading into the Downs.
Why not head to Billy’s on the Beach for breakfast with a sea view? Popular amongst locals and visitors, you’ll find a menu full of hearty breakfast classics to set you on your way.
Head to the pretty village of Cuckfield and stop by Tom’s Food for locally roasted coffee, cakes, pastries and homemade classics such as succulent sausage rolls and indulgent welsh rarebit.
Choose an attraction or activity to start your adventure.
Head out on a guided kayak trip along the River Arun and explore the calm waters and local wildlife, before finishing with lunch on the riverside. Plus, if you book a river trip with The Kayak Coach and quote ‘Experience West Sussex’, you’ll save 15%!
Embark on a wholesome woodland walk with your very own alpaca! An experience loved by adventurers of all ages, you’ll also find out about the fleecing process and how this is used to create unique knitted products.
Start your day off with a leisurely morning tour of the Bolney Estate. Wander the vineyards and learn about the wine making process, before a tutored tasting of their award-winning sparkling wines, paired with an English buffet lunch.
What will you get up to in the second part of your day?
There’s always so much on at Arundel Castle, from flower shows and festivals to live reenactments and jousting tournaments. With the beautiful cobbled streets, surrounding grounds and lake just steps away, you’ll while hours away in this historic town.
If a leisurely afternoon is more your thing, why not head to Goodwood House and indulge in a traditional English afternoon tea in its grand Ballroom? You can also tour the magnificent house and enjoy its vast art collection as part of the experience.
What better way to experience true artisan-made cheese than to make it yourself? Learn from the experts at High Weald Dairy, enjoy a homemade lunch and tutored cheese tasting, before going home with 1kg of your own locally-made produce!
Which of these spots takes your fancy?
If you’re a fan of a classic English country pub with good food, real ales and a friendly atmosphere, look no further than The Spotted Cow in Angmering. The menu is full of traditional pub classics, a good selection of vegetarian dishes and mouthwatering puddings.
Dive into the local food scene and experience seafood caught by Selsey’s fishermen at the Crab & Lobster. Situated on the edge of Pagham Harbour, you can enjoy beautiful views across the water as you enjoy the delicacies of West Sussex’s coastline.
Jeremy’s is based in the stunning grounds of Borde Hill, offering creative dishes from tasting menus to Thai creations and modern European plates. Produce is sourced locally, including from its own garden, and owners Jeremy and Vera travel frequently for new inspiration.
Finally, a place to get your head down and recharge. Where will you stay?
Ever fancied dining under the night’s sky before turning in to a bell tent or yurt for the night? At Billycan Camping you can do just that and everything is provided for you. Enjoy Friday camps stews, Saturday morning breakfast hampers and that unmistakable feeling of being at one with nature.
Perhaps your ideal accommodation is your very own cottage rental for a few nights. Perfect for couples, families and those with dogs, there are plenty of quintessential country cottages available with Amberley House Holiday Cottages – so get the log fire burning and get ready to cosy up West Sussex style.
For a little more luxury, why not book yourself in to the Alexander House Hotel and Spa? Set in a 120-acre estate, you can truly unwind as you explore the grounds and observe the local wildlife – or go all out and book into the award-winning Utopia Spa to make your trip that extra bit special.
We hope that this has given you a taste of just how diverse our county is and all the different things you can see or do in a day or weekend.
We’d love to know what your dream short break would look like, so why not share it with us on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram? Don’t forget you can tag your photos with #ExperienceWestSussex and #YourWestSussex too!
