What are the best towns to visit in East Sussex?

Over the years, myself and my husband have spent a lot of time in East Sussex. You see, Paul (said husband) was born and raised in Brighton, and so is a fountain of knowledge on the best towns to visit in East Sussex. He helped me put together this list so that the list features some unique local knowledge that the guidebooks won’t have.

But what are the best towns in East Sussex? There are so many stunning towns here, from the quaint, cobbled town of Rye to the coastal haven of Bexhill, that deciding where to visit can be daunting. That’s why I’ve put together this list of the 6 best towns to visit in East Sussex.

One of my favorite towns in East Sussex is Rye, primarily for the very photogenic Mermaid Street. In comparison, Paul is biased and loves Brighton because there is so much to do there! This blog post lists all the best towns to visit in East Sussex as well as the best things to do at each destination and some restaurant and accommodation options too.

Related Read: If you’re visiting England with kids, you might be thinking about visiting the famous Peppa Pig World. Well, I’ve put together a detailed guide to visiting Peppa Pig World – that you may want to check out before booking!

Where is East Sussex?

East Sussex is a county in Southern England, and it’s bordered by Kent to the east and West Sussex to the west. It’s a beautiful and diverse area that boasts wild golden sand beaches, rolling green countryside, and bustling cities like Brighton.

East Sussex is a gorgeous county and is home to many popular places like Brighton, South Downs National Park, Hastings, and Ashdown Forest. It combines gorgeous beaches with historic cobbled-street villages. There’s fantastic shopping to be done in the larger towns of Brighton, Hastings & Eastbourne. Plus, there are lots of great places to stay and yummy restaurants to eat in.

What are the best towns to visit in East Sussex?

East Sussex is home to several charming towns that offer a blend of history, culture, and natural beauty. One of the most notable towns is Lewes, known for its medieval streets, Norman castle, and vibrant arts scene. It’s a haven for history enthusiasts and offers a delightful array of independent shops and cafes.

Another gem is Rye, a town that seems frozen in time with its cobbled streets and Tudor-style architecture. Rye is renowned for its antique shops and the enchanting Mermaid Street. Eastbourne, a coastal town, boasts the beautiful Beachy Head cliffs and a bustling seafront with a traditional pier. For those seeking tranquility, Alfriston offers scenic walks and a quintessentially English village atmosphere.

Now, let’s explore the best towns to visit in East Sussex in more detail –

1. Brighton

Easily the most famous town in East Sussex and maybe the most famous seaside town in all of Britain. True, Brighton is more city than town. Brighton is a popular weekend haunt for Londoners, stag and hen parties, and couples looking for an escape. Many tourists visit Brighton on a day trip from London; it’s easy to spend a week or more in the capital city ticking off all the budget-friendly things to do In London, so adding on Brighton is a no-brainer!

Brighton is a city of extremes, from its crowded stony beach to the tourist trap that is Brighton Pier to the quirky hipster-filled North Lanes. At first look,  it may seem like a typical English city, but it’s filled with the weirdest characters.  People you wouldn’t see anywhere else in the world. But that’s why we love it. The restaurants and bars are cool (even the ‘old man’ bars are cool), and the coffee shops are cool.

A local’s tips for Brighton

My husband Paul is from Brighton, and I’ve asked him his top recommendations for his hometown. He says the perfect one day in Brighton should start with a stroll through the Lanes, then grab a coffee in Pelicano on Sydney Street or Bond St in the North Laines. Take a long walk along the seafront and try your luck at the slot machines on the Pier. Then, hit the Marina for dinner, or if you want to stay in the city for food –  try Casalingo on Preston Street (his favorite restaurant) for authentic Italian food. End the day watching the sunset over the West Pier. 

Stanmer Park, about a 15-minute drive from Brighton, is also well worth a visit, mainly just to explore a little on foot and take photos. There’s also a little tearoom here if you fancy a snack. 

BEST TOURS IN BRIGHTON | Experience the best of Brighton on a hop-on-hop-off bus tour and get out into nature on a Seven Sisters and South Downs Tour.

WHERE TO STAY | We loved The Grand if you fancy splurging or The Old Ship Hotel for great value for money; both are on the seafront. Ask for a sea-facing room in both hotels.

2. Bexhill

Paul’s family relocated to Bexhill from Brighton a few years ago, so when we go back to the UK for a vacation, this is where we spend most of our time. Bexhill is a seaside town next to Hastings and it’s one of the best towns to visit in East Sussex, in my opinion! In fact, you can walk between Hastings and Bexhill on a lovely coastal walking route.

Bexhill is famous for the De La Warr Pavillion a very modern building right on the seafront, hosting art exhibitions and also a restaurant/ cafe on the top floor with views out to the ocean.

There’s a great selection of yummy restaurants in Bexhill, including Picasso Italian Restaurant on Devonshire Road. If you fancy some fish & chips, then I highly recommend a takeaway from Louis Fish Restaurant on Sea Road and eating them on the seafront (just watch out for the seagulls).

We’ve managed to catch some great sunsets on Bexhill Beach, so we highly recommend hanging around for this if you can. To bide your time, why not have a few beers or cocktails at The Italian Way on the seafront?

WHERE TO STAY | Cooden Beach Hotel in nearby Cooden Beach or The Driftwood on Sackville Road. If you want a luxurious stay close to Bexhill, then I highly recommend one of these gorgeous lodges, each complete with a hot tub.

3. Lewes

A traditional market town just a 20-minute drive from Brighton – Lewes is all narrow alleyways and crooked buildings not dissimilar to Diagon Alley. Lewes is set in the gorgeous South Downs National Park, so you can take many scenic countryside walks from here.

Lewes is also famous for something a little more unusual its bonfire celebrations on November 5th. People come from all over for the bonfire celebrations and fireworks.

Have a pint in cozy, wood-paneled Lewes Arms hidden down an alleyway. It gets pretty busy here with locals, so arrive early in the evening.

A great tour for wine lovers staying in Lewes is this small group wine tour, which visits wineries in East Sussex and Kent. It’s a full-day tour that visits 2 to 3 wineries and includes lunch, transport in a comfortable vehicle, and a local guide. It costs from £136 per person.

WHERE TO STAY | The Kings Head on Southover High Street or The Shelleys on The High Street.

4. Alfriston

A tiny picturesque village in the valley of the River Cuckmere about a 30-minute drive from Brighton. There are two historic pubs in Alfriston – The Market Cross, a former smugglers’ haunt during the 18th century, and The Star Inn dating as far back as the 15th century.

Also well worth a visit whilst in Alfriston is Clergy House, a thatched and timbered building from way back in the 14th century. In fact, the Clergy House was the first building to be acquired by the National Trust in 1896.

EXTRA TRAVEL TIP | The Seven Sisters are a series of stunning chalk cliffs in the South Downs. It is popular for a number of outdoor activities, including hiking, bird-watching, cycling & canoeing. Whilst in the Alfriston area, we highly recommend exploring the Seven Sisters. This half-day tour from Brighton explores both the South Downs and the Seven Sisters and is excellent value-for-money at £70.

5. Hastings

Known for the Battle of Hastings, which most of you will remember from history class at school, and one of the most crucial events in British history. Hastings is a Victorian seaside resort popular with tourists looking for a cheaper coastal getaway.

What’s there to do in Hastings?

Whilst in Hastings, be sure to explore Hastings Old Town for its quirky antique shops and coffee shops. Hastings also has two funicular railways rattling up and down its sandstone cliffs; the West Hill Lift serves Hastings Castle, and the East Hill Lift serves Hastings Country Park. If you have more time in Hastings, why not spend some time walking Hastings Country Park and exploring its 660 acres of ancient woodland, cliffs, and heathland?

A really cool and fun thing to do in Hastings is this Scavenger Hunt, in which you’ll use an app to gather points by completing exciting tasks and finding objects around Hastings. The great thing is it costs just £7!

Tourists often wonder whether they should visit Hastings or Eastbourne, or both. Well, I’ll let you know what I think as to whether Hastings or Eastbourne is better. Hastings is more historic – it’s the home of the famed Hastings Battle of 1066. It has castle ruins and an old medieval town. Eastbourne is larger and has more stores & restaurants. Plus, Eastbourne has a lovely long seafront. It’s also closer to the very photogenic Beachy Head.

If you’re planning to visit the 1066 Battle of Hastings site it may be worth purchasing an English Heritage Pass for Overseas Visitors which gives access to over 100 historic sites across the UK.

Almost every weekend during the Summer months, there’s an event going on here – from the Seafood & Wine Festival held in mid-September. And the Jack in the Green event is held at the beginning of May.

WHERE TO STAY | The Old Rectory on Harold Road or Zanzibar International Hotel in nearby St Leonards-on-sea.

6. Rye

Rye is a quaint market town just a 30-minute drive from Hastings. The poster child for Rye is Mermaid Street, with its storybook charm. Mermaid Street is a winding cobbled street with great views with slightly wonky stone & timber houses. Sort of Harry Potter-ish if you’re into that sort of thing.

Be sure to pop into the coziest pub in prime position on the street – The Mermaid Inn for a pint or some afternoon tea. For a small town, there are loads of cool things to do in Rye!

In Rye, why not stop for a coffee at Cafe des Fleurs on Station Road, or if you fancy the most amazing hot chocolate, then you can’t miss Knoops.

If you have more, stretch your legs out to Camber Sands, a long stretch of golden sand a 20-minute walk from Rye. If you can catch a sunset here, even better; the sky sure did put on a show for us when we visited last in October.

For the best view of Rye, you need to climb up the Bell tower at St Mary’s Church to see this historic town in all its glory.

WHERE TO STAY | The Mermaid on Mermaid Street is so cosy and quaint and it’s a very famous place to stay in the area!

Bonus Addition: Ouse Valley Viaduct

Another good photo opportunity is Ouse Valley Viaduct, also known as the Balcombe Viaduct, which carries the Brighton-London train. It’s located close to Haywards Heath town and is known by locals as the most elegant viaduct in the whole country. It’s also very Instagram-worthy.

What is the most historic town in East Sussex?

Rye is one of the most historic towns in East Sussex, recognized as one of the most well-preserved medieval towns in the country. Would you believe it was founded in 1289 after receiving its charter from King Edward I. it’s easy to see how historic this town is when you stroll down famed Mermaid Street, which dates all the way back to 1420.

Thanks for Reading!

Phew, and there you have it 6 of the best towns to visit in East Sussex. Plus, some unique travel facts about East Sussex are not found in any guidebook. Where’s your favorite town on the list? Mine still remains Rye – I could spend hours walking up & down quirky Mermaid Street. But Brighton does have the X-factor; there’s so much to do here, so many great cafes & restaurants, and a wide selection of fantastic hotels.

We hope you enjoyed our picks of the best towns in East Sussex. As always, if there’s any town we missed, be sure to let us know in the comment section below.

Thanks for reading; I also have other articles on cute towns to visit, including West Cork, Ireland, San Francisco, and Greece!

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Last Updated on February 6, 2025 by snaphappytravel