The Sussex coast is said to be the sunniest in the country and from ancient Rye in the east to Roman Chichester in the west there are numerous coastal towns and villages which our Sussex holiday cottages are well placed to explore. For sailing enthusiasts Chichester Harbour provides miles of sheltered water with enticing shore excursions such as Bosham (pronounced ‘Bozam’) where King Canute’s daughter is buried. To the east, Brighton, England’s most vibrant seaside town, is an eclectic and slightly off-beat centre of history and heritage since the Prince Regent built his exotic Royal Pavillion there in the 18th century. Continuing eastwards, the famous chalk cliffs at Beachy Head are visible for miles around; the coastal town of Hastings boasts the largest beach-launched fishing fleet in Europe and historic Lewes on the navigable River Ouse was for centuries a well protected port and is now the county town of East Sussex.
The hinterland of Sussex is equally varied and appealing. Running roughly east to west, the Weald and the South Downs (now a national park) are a paradise for walking, riding and cycling; and here too Hideaways’ Sussex holiday cottages are perfectly positioned for its exploration. From Ditchling Beacon in the east, via the Arun Gap where the longest river entirely in Sussex flows to the sea, to Kingley Vale with its magnificent yew trees in the west, the higher land, which forms the interior of the county affords superb views and an opportunity to unwind in unrivalled tranquillity. The ancient South Downs Way is now a long distance footpath.
History is everywhere in Sussex, a few examples of which are Neolithic flint mines at Cissbury near Worthing, the Long Man of Wilmington, at 227ft tall, Europe’s largest hiil figure representing the human form; Roman villas at Bignor and Fishbourne near Chichester and of course the site of the Battle of Hastings commemorated at Battle Abbey. Sussex is also very well endowed with castles built to defend the region, many dating from Norman times – Arundel, Bramber, Pevensey, Amberley, Lewes and Hastings being amongst the best known. Many superb examples remain too of mediaeval hall houses (we are proud to list one such, The Yeoman’s House near Bignor, amongst Hideaways’ Sussex cottages), and a visit to the Weald and Downland Open Air Museum near Chichester is a ‘must’ for those interested in the evolution of domestic architecture.
Sussex is also rich in historic houses such as Petworth, Goodwood, Parham and the ‘miniature stately home’ Uppark, beautifully restored after a disastrous fire. Not to be missed either are Chichester Cathedral, dating from the 12th century, and the much later Roman Catholic Cathedral at Arundel.
It is impossible to do more than touch the surface of what Sussex has to offer but we hope you will have been inspired to investigate further, perhaps by taking a relaxing and interesting holiday in one of our holiday cottages in Sussex.