Summer in West Sussex

Summertime is the perfect opportunity to explore the huge variety of things to do in West Sussex. Whether you're looking for family friendly entertainment, culture and coast for a short break or weekend away, or an activity packed holiday full of adventures it all awaits in West Sussex. From spectacular events like The Loxwood Joust to serene summer days surrounded by Lavender, and family friendly trails in vibrant sunflower patches set in glorious south downs countryside. A full programme of theatrical productions is on offer, too - you might choose a matinee performance of this summer's musical, My Fair Lady, at Chichester Festival Theatre, or soak up some outdoor summer theatre at Weald & Downland Living Museum, Chichester Cathedral or Stansted House. Spend summer days gliding through Chichester Harbour on a harbour tour, cruise the Chichester Canal or delve into wildlife explorations at RSPB Pagham Harbour. Set your course to Goodwood where teens can enjoy Young Driver Experiences, even before they have L plates, or seek out one of our favourite family friendly things to do - watch the planes take off while sipping a drink at the Goodwood Aerodrome Cafe. 

West Wittering beach is one of the most popular beaches on the south coast, and for good reason - golden sands and shallow water make it a family-friendly hotspot. It's useful to know that parking at West Wittering beach often sells out quickly in times of warm, sunny weather, and with no other beach parking available in the small village, we recommend the neighbouring beaches of East Wittering, Bracklesham Bay and just a little further along the coast, Selsey, where you'll find miles of quiet beaches with clear water. East Wittering and Selsey offer small but thriving town centres to explore where you'll find family friendly coffee or lunch spots, a good pub or two, places to buy a souvenir and that all important ice cream. Discover perfect coastal walking at Chichester Harbour which offers miles of excellent coastal walks or cycle rides - this route now forms part of the King Charles III England Coast Path, so the opportunities are endless!  Fancy trying your hand at watersports like surfing, paddle boarding or wing foiling? Local operators are situated along the coast, particularly at West Wittering and East Wittering beach, offering you tuition and equipment hire, whether you're a novice or improver.

This is all about walking, cycling, watersports etc. Bring in some nature reserves if you can or any walking areas or parks

Long sunny days offer great opportunities to get outdoors this summer. Choose from walking routes stretching across the South Downs or coastal footpaths with wonderful views. The newly connected King Charles III England Coast path meanders along the West Sussex coastline, taking in the seaside town of Selsey, the golden shores of West Wittering and the wildlife haven of Chichester Harbour with its charming villages, perfect for a pitstop on your walking route. Explore off the beaten track to find the glorious RSPB nature reserves of Pagham Harbour and Medmerry. The nature reserves are serene spaces where you can spend hours wandering footpaths, sitting and watching the abundant birdlife and enjoying the peace and tranquility. The South Downs Way is a huge draw for many walkers, with the long days of summer being the ideal time to tackle the entire route. With huge stretches of this National Trail crossing West Sussex you can also explore in shorter sections, taking time to enjoy the astonishing views across the Sussex countryside.

If your summer plans include family friendly cycling trails then head for Salterns Way which connects Chichester with West Wittering beach - no car parking to content with! Another favourite is Centurion Way which is a mostly flat cycling and walking trail connecting Chichester city centre with the village of Singleton. There is ambition for this popular route to eventually reach the market town of Midhurst, with the latest stage of the extension opened in autumn 2025 - cyclists and walkers can explore the former Singleton Railway Station, features of which have been restored and are a striking stop on this trail.

Hit the water this summer. Whether you head to the beach for relaxing, swimming and sandcastles, or prefer something more energetic, water sports of all kinds are on offer along the coast. Choose from surfing, kayaking or kite surfing, paddle boarding, wing foiling and windsurfing - expert tuition is available from local companies, along with equipment hire. Chichester Watersports - a lakeside hub for watersports of all kinds located a short distance from the city centre - also boasts one of summer's most popular family activities; the Aqua Park. This huge inflatable assault course, which is only open in summer gives you the chance to take on family or friends as you bounce and slide around the course.

Bring in the main events over the summer, make sure to check GA4 if you need to see the top events!

Summer in West Sussex brings you a feast of live entertainment, with something for all tastes and budgets. Witness the spectacle of live jousting at the Loxwood Joust, where knights do battle in front of your eyes while a medieval village and activities invites you to explore. The annual Festival of Chichester brings over 100 events to the city during June and July, offering you an eclectic mix of entertainment from classical music and poetry, to walks, theatre, art and spoken word. The Petworth Summer Festival is an annual celebration of music, literature, and the arts, with hugely popular live performances in and around Petworth. We can't say the word festival without talking about Goodwood's iconic Festival of Speed which takes place every July and is a must-visit for any petrol head or car lover. Pack the Pimms, picnic blanket and Union flags for Stansted House's annual Proms which take place in front of this beautiful stately home, or bring the family for the Stansted Summer Festival where a variety of family activities and entertainment await including a thrilling Napoleonic re-enactment as well as vintage vehicles and more.

Even more musical entertainment arrives in 2026 with the Ibiza Orchestra Experience and Summer in Nashville, plus The Wake, held in the picturesque surroundings of the Loxwood Meadow, where Badly Drawn Boy headlines.

The county of West Sussex encompasses beautiful countryside and stunning coastline with much of the county semi-rural, offering you the chance to discover true hidden gem pub gardens in which to soak up the English summer. Sip pints of locally brewed ales or chilled glasses of Sussex sparkling wine as you admire views of the South Downs in rural hamlets, take in harbour views from waterside terraces - from the ever-popular Crown & Anchor at Dell Quay, on the shores of Chichester Harbour to The Duke of Cumberland Arms in a tiny hamlet sitting high in the South Downs not far from Midhurst or The Black Rabbit in Arundel, where you can accompany your pint or glass of wine with views of the River Arun. Walkers, ramblers and hikers can easily combine a great pub and some of our fabulous walking routes like East Head at West Wittering combined with The Wittering Pub - we think there's no better way to end a walk than with a stop at a welcoming West Sussex pub!
Discover a taste of Sussex this summer in restaurants which showcase local ingredients and seasonal flavours, from slow food champions The Barn and long-standing city favourites, Purchases, in Chichester city centre; Goodwood's Farmer, Butcher, Chef, The Woodcote at Graffham, E Street Bar & Grill in Petworth - or try something completely different and dine in a former Pullman Carriage at The Old Railway Station near Petworth. 

With so much to see on your visit to our sunny patch of West Sussex, you'll want to stay! Explore our range of accommodation, from budget friendly options for families to hotels where nothing is too much trouble - you'll find a warm Sussex welcome waiting for you. Did you know you can explore much of West Sussex car-free? Whether fuel-conscious or keen to lower your carbon footprint, you can get to Chichester from London Victoria by train in around 90 minutes, with connecting railway lines allowing you to easily explore the villages dotted around Chichester Harbour like Bosham and Itchenor. See how you might plan a car-free escape here with our rail travel itinerary. Chichester is well connected by bus, too, offering you easy access to West Wittering beach, the RSPB reserves at Selsey as well as Selsey itself, with its miles of unspoilt beaches, the South Downs Way and the market town of Midhurst. Explore how you might get around here. And if the great British summer brings rainy days, don't despair - there's plenty of indoor entertainment on hand, from bowling and cinema to indoor golf, interactive museums, stately homes and historic places to explore.