Plan the trip

Start with the landscape, then choose your base

The most common mistake people make when planning a trip to West Sussex is treating it as a single, uniform destination. It is not. The county is a patchwork of four distinct landscapes, chalk downland, coastal plain, river valleys, and the wooded Weald, each with its own character, access patterns, and seasonal rhythms. To plan effectively, you need to decide which of those landscapes you want to spend your day in, then match it to your transport, the season, and the needs of your group.

West Sussex covers 1,991 km² (West Sussex County Council, 2021) and has 90 km of coastline (West Sussex County Council, 2021). The South Downs National Park occupies 1,627 km² of that area (South Downs National Park Authority, 2023). This means the majority of the county is protected landscape. The practical implication is clear: parking is limited, facilities are seasonal, and you cannot rely on turning up without a plan.

This page gives you the framework to make that plan. The four focused guides, covering the South Downs, the coast, the towns, and heritage gardens, hold the detail. Here you get the overview: how to compare your options, how to get around, and how to avoid the failures that turn a good day into a frustrating one.

Getting there: rail, road, and the reality of each

By train

Twelve mainline stations in West Sussex have a direct service from London (National Rail, 2025). The West Coastway Line runs from Brighton to Southampton via Worthing, Chichester, and Arundel. The Arun Valley Line from London Victoria serves Horsham, Pulborough, and Arundel. The Brighton Main Line serves Crawley and Gatwick Airport.

For a day trip, the key choice is between the coastal route (London Victoria to Chichester, around 90 minutes) and the Arun Valley route (London Victoria to Arundel, around 75 minutes). The coastal route gives you access to Chichester Harbour, the city of Chichester itself, and the flat coastal plain. The Arun Valley route puts you at the foot of the South Downs, with Arundel Castle and the Wetland Centre within walking distance of the station.

Fourteen stations in West Sussex have step-free access (National Rail, 2025), but check individual stations for the type of access, ramps, lifts, or level boarding. The Family & Friends Railcard (National Rail, 2025) gives discounts for groups of up to four adults and four children, but you need to buy it before you travel.

Perishable factor: Train timetables change in May and December (National Rail, 2025). Engineering works on Sundays can replace trains with buses, adding an hour or more to journey times. Always check the National Rail website the day before you travel.

By car

The A27 runs east, west along the coastal plain, connecting Worthing, Chichester, and Arundel. The A24 runs north, south from London to Worthing via Horsham. The A29 and A272 cross the Weald. These are the main arteries and will not be rerouted (durable fact).

Parking is the single biggest failure mode for car-borne visitors. Official car park capacity figures are often 10-20% higher than usable spaces (claimed vs. real), and popular sites like Kingley Vale, Cissbury Ring, and the South Downs Way car parks at Cocking and Ditchling Beacon fill by 10 am on a sunny Saturday. There is rarely overflow parking. Parking charges vary by district council (West Sussex County Council, 2025), so carry change or have a parking app ready.

What to do: If you are driving to a popular downland or coastal site, aim to arrive by 9 am. If that is not possible, choose a less popular alternative or use a park-and-ride service, Chichester and Arundel both have them (check with the district council for current operation).

The four landscapes and who they suit

The South Downs

The South Downs are the defining landscape of West Sussex: open, grassy, rolling chalk hills with well-drained soil and panoramic views. The South Downs Way is a 100-mile National Trail (South Downs National Park Authority, 2023) that runs the length of the national park, with West Sussex sections from Cocking to Ditchling Beacon. The chalk surface drains well in dry weather but turns to slippery, sticky mud after rain.

Suitability: - Walkers and cyclists: excellent, but elevaton gain matters. A 10 km walk on the flat coastal path is far easier than a 5 km walk with 200 m of ascent on the Downs. - Families with pushchairs: limited. Many trails marked as “pushchair-friendly” have a stile or a steep gradient that makes them impractical for a standard pushchair. All-terrain pushchairs fare better, but check the specific trail on the South Downs National Park Authority website. - Dog walkers: good, but note that “dog-friendly” pubs often allow dogs only in the bar, not the restaurant.

Key sites: Cissbury Ring (largest hillfort in Sussex, with Neolithic flint mines and coastal views), Chanctonbury Ring (distinctive beech clump, visible from the A24), Kingley Vale (ancient yew woodland, some trees over 2,000 years old, a National Nature Reserve).

The coast

The West Sussex coast is a mix of shingle beaches, tidal harbours, and saltmarsh. The coastline is 90 km long (West Sussex County Council, 2021). Three beaches hold Blue Flag status (Keep Britain Tidy, 2025), but this changes annually. Chichester Harbour is an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) and a large tidal estuary with sailing, birdwatching, and coastal paths. Pagham Harbour is an RSPB nature reserve with lagoons and saltmarsh, a key site for migratory birds.

Suitability: - Families: good, but check tide times. The coastal path at Chichester Harbour can be cut off by the incoming tide (UK Hydrographic Office, 2025). Shingle beaches are not ideal for sandcastles. - Birdwatchers: excellent, especially at Pagham Harbour and Pulborough Brooks (RSPB reserves). - Dog walkers: 12 dog-friendly beaches in West Sussex (West Sussex County Council, 2025), but restrictions apply during summer months.

Key sites: Worthing Pier (Victorian pier with a pavilion and cafe), Shoreham-by-Sea (historic port town with a Norman church and working harbour), Chichester Harbour (AONB, sailing, coastal paths).

The towns and cities

West Sussex has a mix of historic market towns and coastal resorts. Chichester is a Roman city with a cathedral, a theatre, and a good range of shops and restaurants. Arundel is dominated by its Norman castle and has a compact historic centre. Worthing is a classic seaside resort with a pier, a promenade, and a long shingle beach. Horsham and Crawley are larger towns with more urban facilities.

Suitability: - Heritage enthusiasts: excellent. Arundel Castle (open seasonally), Petworth House (National Trust, with a deer park by Capability Brown), and Fishbourne Roman Palace (largest in-situ mosaics north of the Alps) are all within a short drive. - Families: good, with playgrounds, child-friendly cafes, and pushchair-friendly streets in the historic centres. - Rail users: excellent. Chichester, Arundel, Worthing, and Horsham all have stations with step-free access and regular services.

The Weald

The Weald is the wooded area south of the Downs, with clay soil and a different character. It is less visited than the Downs or the coast, but contains Wakehurst (Kew’s wild botanic garden, with the Millennium Seed Bank), the Weald and Downland Living Museum (open-air museum of historic buildings), and Amberley Museum (industrial history with a narrow-gauge railway).

Suitability: - Garden enthusiasts: excellent. Wakehurst is open year-round but has peak bloom in spring and autumn. - Families: good, with pushchair-friendly paths at Wakehurst and the Weald and Downland Living Museum. - Dog walkers: check individual sites. Wakehurst allows dogs on leads in most areas but not in the restaurant.

Weather and seasons

West Sussex averages 1,750 hours of sunshine and 750 mm of rainfall per year (Met Office, 1991-2020). The Met Office issues weather warnings in three levels: Yellow, Amber, and Red (Met Office, 2025). Check the forecast before you travel, especially for walking or cycling on the Downs.

Seasonal planning: - Spring (March, May): bluebells in the woodlands, orchids on the Downs, and peak bloom at Wakehurst. Easter school holidays are busy. - Summer (June, August): warmest and busiest. Coastal sites and downland car parks fill early. Three Blue Flag beaches (Keep Britain Tidy, 2025) are at their best, but check the annual list. - Autumn (September, November): quieter, with autumn colours in the Weald and at Petworth Park. Bird migration peaks at Pagham Harbour and Pulborough Brooks. - Winter (December, February): coldest and wettest. Many gardens and historic houses are closed or have reduced hours. Coastal paths can be windy but are quieter. Check the National Trust and RSPB websites for seasonal closures.

Families and access

Families

West Sussex has 50+ children’s play areas and 100+ family-friendly pubs (West Sussex County Council, 2025; VisitBritain, 2025). Baby changing facilities are available at most major attractions (VisitBritain, 2025). Breastfeeding is legally allowed in public places under the Equality Act 2010.

Practical advice: - Choose flat, pushchair-friendly routes: the coastal path from Worthing to Shoreham, the boardwalks at Arundel Wetland Centre, and the paths at Wakehurst are all suitable for standard pushchairs. - Arrive early to popular sites. Car parks at Cissbury Ring, Kingley Vale, and the South Downs Way trailheads fill by 10 am on sunny weekends. - Check school holiday dates (West Sussex County Council, 2025) to avoid the busiest periods.

Accessibility

Fourteen stations have step-free access (National Rail, 2025). The National Accessible Scheme (VisitBritain, 2025) provides a symbol for venues that meet accessibility standards. RADAR keys (National Key Scheme, 2025) open accessible toilets across the UK. Hearing loops are available at some venues (check individually). Assistance dogs are legally allowed in all public places under the Equality Act 2010.

What to check: - Wheelchair and mobility scooter hire: available at some attractions (verify with the individual venue). Large print guides are available from VisitBritain (2025). - Accessible events: 50+ per year in West Sussex (West Sussex County Council, 2025). Check the county council’s events listing.

Transport options: a quick comparison

Mode	Best for	Watch out for
Train	Day trips from London; towns and cities	Sunday engineering works; stations without step-free access
Car	Flexibility; rural sites; families with children	Parking fills early; charges vary; no overflow
Bus	Local journeys; some rural routes	Services subject to cuts (West Sussex County Council, 2025); check timetables
Cycle	National Cycle Network routes 2, 22, 23 (Sustrans, 2025)	Hills on the Downs; clay mud in the Weald
Walk	Short trips; towns and coastal paths	Trails may be muddy after rain; pushchair-unfriendly sections

Where to go next

This page gives you the overview. The four focused guides hold the detail:

• The South Downs, walking routes, elevation profiles, and pub stops.
• The coast, beaches, harbours, and tidal planning.
• The towns, Chichester, Arundel, Worthing, and their attractions.
• Heritage and gardens, historic houses, Roman sites, and botanic gardens.

Each guide answers one question in full and routes you to the others as needed.