Must-do activities in West Sussex

The changing seasons are a timely reminder to find joy in the enchanting outdoors. West Sussex has an autumnal charm all of its own, and plenty of opportunities to explore magical woodland landscapes, harvest moon-lit beaches and charming towns and villages.

Whether you’re visiting from near or far, there is plenty to do at this time of year. Take advantage of this colourful season and celebrate nature in all its glory.

We’ve picked some of our favourite autumn things to do in West Sussex below.

Leaf peeping

Borde Hill Gardens

The chilly air lends itself perfectly to rejuvenating walks through a spectrum of reds, yellows, oranges, and golds and you don’t need to travel far to indulge in some leaf peeping. West Sussex puts on an incredible display as the seasons change and the trees prepare for winter. October and early November are undoubtedly the best time of year to witness this.

These are a few of the top spots for leaf peeping in West Sussex

→ Discover more autumnal locations perfect for leaf peeping here

Indulge at The Artisan Bakehouse

“Eat, bake and stay in the heart of West Sussex”

Homemade autumn wreath

A delightful country retreat that encompasses the beauty of nature and all things homemade, The Artisan Bakehouse is well-renowned for its superb offering of interesting workshops, delicious food and rustic style.

Learn among a group of like-minded people, with tailored workshops that encourage you to explore the art of baking, arts and crafts, and more. This autumn, work with talented florists and enjoy scents of lavender, rosemary, ginger and other seasonal foliage whilst you create your very own decorative wreath to hang on your door or use as a centrepiece.

Explore the wild at Knepp Safari

“Encounter 3,500 acres of natural habitat”

Wildlife spotting at Knepp Safaris

Home to one of the largest rewilding projects in lowland Britain, the wildlife safaris and camping experiences at Knepp Safari are high on our list of things to do this crisp season.

With berry-covered scrub and golden oak crowns providing a colourful backdrop to the fields of red deer stags and fallow bucks, autumn is an ideal time to take part in a safari.

From ‘Walk on the Wild Side’ tours to a ‘Tour of the Beaver Pen’, these incredibly memorable experiences are a great opportunity to explore the very best of West Sussex wildlife.

Instagrammable autumn

We all know that this beautiful season makes for endless photo opportunities. Whether it’s the dazzling foliage or carving pumpkins at Halloween, there are countless opportunities to snap the perfect photo for your Instagram feed.

From lovely viewpoints to cosy pubs and roaring fires, the change of seasons allows us to make memories as we snuggle inside and explore outside. Here are a few of the top spots for the perfect Insta-worthy shot:

Activities

Cosy pub settings

Places to explore

→ For more Instagram-worthy locations to visit, click here

Winter illuminations

View of the lake and moon at Leonardslee Illuminated

From an enchanting winter lantern trail to a garden brought to life with hand-crafted light installations by leading artists, celebrate the spectrum of colours that nature provides. Enjoy our after-dark illumination experiences this autumn and winter.

The changing seasons will be brought to life with spellbinding illuminations, large projections, music, Christmas stalls and live performances. These are our top picks:

Click here for the full list of winter illuminations happening across West Sussex

Looking for more inspiration and to unearth some of our favourite pubs to hibernate in?