West Sussex is a wonderful place to immerse yourself in a tapestry of hues glowing in rich autumnal light. Whether exploring woodland trails, wandering through historic market towns, or enjoying a peaceful countryside walk, autumn in West Sussex offers a magical blend of natural beauty, tranquillity, and seasonal character.

A walk along the Windmill Trail from Boxgrove, up the Halnaker tree tunnel to the Halnaker windmill is a family-friendly way to experience the vibrancy of spectacular autumnal colour and you will be rewarded with a 360 degree viewpoint at the top. Black Down is the highest point for miles around and offers unending vistas for those who enjoy a walk with a view. Kingley Vale is another favourite, where you will discover a varied landscape of woodland trails with ancient gnarled yew trees, interspersed with open country. Visit our suggestions of Top 10 walks for more ideas.

While you are there: The Anglesey Arms near Halnaker is a good place to stop for lunch, or Goodwood’s Farmer, Butcher, Chef restaurant is a short drive. Wellies Tearooms is ideal to refuel after a walk at Kingley Vale.

Now the summer crowds have left, you may find you have the beach to yourself. Blow the cobwebs away with a brisk autumn walk along a West Sussex beach such as West Wittering, East Wittering, Selsey or Bracklesham Bay. For a more sheltered option, the King Charles III Coast Path now stretches 35 miles from West Wittering to Hayling Island following the inlets of Chichester Harbour for tranquil beauty and wildlife spotting.

Warm up: With a hot chocolate at The Beach at Bracklesham, the Drift-In Surf Café at East Wittering or Rewild Sauna at Bracklesham.

Image: West Dean Gardens

We are spoilt for choice with the selection of gardens on offer in West Sussex. Autumn brings the fruit harvest, where beautiful West Dean Gardens will be groaning under the weight of its apple bounty. Don’t forget to pop into West Dean Village Store afterwards, where you will be able to buy the fresh West Sussex seasonal fruit and veg you have just seen in situ. Another delight is Petworth House & Park, where the ancient tree trail transforms into a riot of colour for autumn. The Bishops Palace Gardens in Chichester comprise 14 acres of serenity in the middle of Chichester, perfect for a quiet stroll amongst the autumn foliage.

Lunch spots: Both West Dean and Petworth House have cafes on site for refreshments. Stroll around Petworth to find more eateries such as The Hungry Guest and the E.Street Bar & Grill.  Chichester centre has great options like Cloisters Kitchen & Garden café, The Ivy or Joanna’s Boutique Tearooms.

Autumn is a time to harvest nature’s bounty and in West Sussex the trees and hedgerows are laden with produce. You won’t need to go far to find blackberries, apples, sloes and elderberries. For something more intrepid to do, book a mushroom foraging course at Foraging with Fern, or join Cowdray’s forager on an Autumnal Foraging Walk & Woodland Wild Picnic (10.30 – 1pm on selected dates). Cowdray celebrates Apple Day at the Cowdray Estate and you can refresh yourself at the Farm Shop and Café when you visit.

Children will love choosing and picking their own from West Sussex crops this autumn. There are local farms which have seasonal favourites where you can pick your own for the freshest produce available. Of course, autumn is synonymous with pumpkins and there are pumpkin patches on offer to spend an afternoon carving and decorating with only your imagination (and carving skills) to limit you. As well as Dell Quay PYO there is Somerley, Bignor, Arundel and Rogate to choose from for your pumpkin picking.

Image: Bignor Farms Pumpkin Patch

West Sussex has an abundance of seasonal treasures and there is no better place to snap them up than one of the colourful farmers’ markets in the area. For fresh and seasonal produce, or artisan goods made with local skills, pick up freshly baked bread, indulge in some locally made chocolate or taste test some acclaimed West Sussex wine. Places to head for are Chichester, Petworth and Midhurst to shop fresh and local.

Vineyards in West Sussex are thriving, with a number of award-winning venues dotted about our beautiful countryside. Autumn is the time to harvest the crop and you too can get involved with picking grapes at one of the special harvest days open to the public. You can visit Ashling Park Estate and Tinwood Estate to find out how the winemaking process works, refine your palate with a tasting experience, and then take some home as a souvenir. 

Make the most of your vineyard visit; many of our local vineyards have restaurants and accommodation attached. Why not pull out all the stops and turn your visit into an overnight stay?

West Sussex has its fair share of spooky venues for those looking to be thrilled this Halloween. Deep dive into the history on our doorstep by visiting Arundel Castle or Cowdray Castle or walk the cobbled lanes or city walls of Chichester for a journey into the past. The infamous Racton Monument is said to be the most haunted spot in West Sussex – visit if you dare! Explore atmospheric Kingley Vale, a landscape shrouded in mystery and home to the UK’s oldest trees, where the twisted ancient yews whisper with the restless spirits of the Vikings and druids said to be buried there. 

Image: CKings Wiki Commons

Look out for family friendly Guy Fawkes celebrations this year, with festivities hotting up in October and November. For Goodwood members and fellows, the popular Kennels Bonfire Night celebrations are taking place on the 5^th, 6^th and 7^th November with marshmallows, a bonfire and fireworks. Heyshott Bonfire and Fireworks is a traditional village event with a torchlight procession and a spectacular firework finale. Fontwell Park Racecourse offers fabulous fireworks, fantastic entertainment, funfair rides and delicious food stalls. Petworth Hampers Green Bonfire and Fireworks on the 7^th November is a family-friendly community event and has a torchlight procession as part of its celebration.

Image: The Kennels, Goodwood

When is the best time to see autumn colours in West Sussex?

Visit West Sussex in October or November for the best autumn colour.

Where can you go pumpkin picking in West Sussex?

There are pumpkin patches at Dell Quay, Somerley. Rogate, Bignor and Arundel.

Which vineyards can you visit in West Sussex?

Visitors are welcome at Ashling Park Estate, Tinwood Estate, Roebuck near Petworth, Stopham Vineyard and Kinsbrook, amongst others.

What are the best autumn walks in West Sussex?

There are many autumn walks you can do in West Sussex. Explore the Windmill Trail, Black Down, Kingley Vale, Centurion Way or Salterns Way to name a few.