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One of the best things about the south of England is that there is a slower pace and much greener environment than when you're in central London or even on the outskirts of the city. Having lived in London for many years we recently decided to move south and there are plenty of places which are wonderful to visit or call home.

It's easy to relax here and take a step back from our busy lives. Looking at the scenery and spending lots of time in the fresh air makes it a perfect holiday spot. If you're looking for national parks, beautiful countryside, picturesque villages, and historic buildings, southern England has a lot to offer for either a road trip with accommodation or a day trip.

There is a lot to see and do here, so we're going to focus on the county of Sussex. A great place with areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB), Roman history, pirates, castles and much more!

Where to stay

Firstly where should you stay on your trip? In keeping with the surroundings, you can enjoy a tranquil break in some stunning properties. From farm cottages to converted barns, which we love. Or even old coach houses. There is a wide selection of Sussex holiday cottages to suit every taste, budget and number of guests.

If one of your party is the furry type, you're in luck. Given that it's so rural many people holiday with their pets in tow. You can find dog friendly holiday cottages in Sussex with ease and this doesn't narrow your property selection.

Should you want to add a little wow factor to your break there are some incredible holiday cottages with hot tubs in Sussex. So you can sit and relax with a glass of wine and look at the wonderful rolling countryside. This area of the UK actually has Dark Sky Reserve status, which means there is less light pollution so you can see the stars from your hot tub!

The best places to visit in Sussex, South of England

So where should you begin when visiting Sussex? If you love walking, the High Weald is a medieval landscape of ancient woodlands. Close by there's Chichester Harbour and the Roman Baths at the Novium Museum. A lovely spot for creatives is Charleston, the modernist home and studio of the famous Bloomsbury Group. This house, open to the public, is where the artists gathered together.

Other top places to visit in the county range from learning about smugglers in historic Hastings, trying paddleboarding in Worthing or taking a stroll along the promenade at Eastbourne with its art-deco bandstand and Victorian Pier. If you love coastal walks see the white cliffs of Dover and the English Channel from Beachy Head.

Should that not be enough, here are our favourite things to do in Sussex.

South Downs National Park

Despite being the newest national trust park in the UK, the South Downs is rather extensive and spectacular. Stretching from the south coast of England at Birling Gap to as far inland as Winchester. This park has a diverse range of landscapes and a nature trail that is entirely inside the park.

From the distinct chalkstone to lowland heath, the South Downs has such a variety of natural habitats that it's home to many rare creatures. Here you can see the pretty Adonis blue butterfly and check out the only location in the UK that has all 12 of the UK’s native amphibian and reptile species. 

If you prefer coastal breaks and keeping active on holiday, consider touring the English coast by bike.

Brighton

Brighton is Sussex's largest city, Chichester is the county's capital and Lewes is Sussex's county town. However, Brighton is the first area you think of exploring if you want somewhere lively. It's full of popular places from fun restaurants to nightlife, the SeaLife Centre or the well known Upside Down House! My family love grabbing fresh seafood from street stalls by the beach and we can definitely recommend the West Beach Bar & Kitchen. This restaurant is in a great spot under the newer attraction British Airways i360. If you love views and can cope with heights give it a try!

Apart from fine dining, take a short walk along the beach and discover the pier and arcades, you are in a British seaside town after all! Another great way to see Brighton is with one of the free walking tour experiences where you can take in the main sites such as the Royal Pavilion.

Drusillas Park Zoo

If you have young children, take time for a day out at the well regarded ‘best small zoo in Europe’! This suits children aged 2 and 10 years old. Not only can you see a brilliant variety of animals, but there are also large adventure play areas and a Hello Kitty themed zone!

Arundel Castle

Arundel Castle transports you back in time with its great tower and impressive history. Arundel itself is one of Sussex's most historic towns. Deep in the West Sussex English countryside, the castle has spectacular views across the landscape and River Arun.

The castle's story begins in 1067 and many of its original features have survived such as the Norman Keep, medieval Gatehouse and Barbican structure. One of the most unusual sights here is the motte which is an artificial mound, over 100 feet high with a stone turret in place on top.

King Henry I, left the Castle in his will to his second wife, Adeliza of Louvain. Interestingly Arundel Castle and its stately homes have mostly remained under female heiresses for hundreds of years. It's an exciting place to visit if you love architecture, history and gardens.

Rye

We first had a romantic weekend away in Rye, East Sussex over ten years ago and we now go back with our children. Rye is a quaint English town not far from the coast in south east England. It has everything you need for a short break with wonderful food, playgrounds for families and pretty buildings to explore.

It's a quintessentially English place, the type you see in storybooks with cobbled streets and medieval timbered black and white houses. History seeps out of every brick and the road names such as 'Mermaid Street' grab your attention.

The Middle ages are all around you, as you walk the lanes and pop into a local pub. In Roman times, this was an important port involved in iron, shipbuilding, timber, wool and luxury goods.

Due to this roaring trade, some unsavoury characters or actual pirates spent a great deal of time in Rye. Smuggling was rife and supported by the Crown as it was so lucrative.

It's no surprise then that Rye is well known for ghostly encounters and the Mermaid Inn is rumoured to have a lot of 'activity'. We've managed to stay for a drink in the lounge but definitely wouldn't last any longer!

I hope this gives you inspiration on where to spend your next holiday.

Sussex is a perfect place to relax and enjoy the best of England. Having so much on offer a short drive away is such a blessing.