I’d love to say, ‘why would you go anywhere else if you’re already in the awesome Sussex city of Brighton along the South Coast?’ But there are some fantastic day trips from Brighton.
You’d really be missing out if you skipped these!
Day trips from Brighton
1. Lewes
- Getting there by car: 20 minutes
- Getting there by train: 20 minutes from central Brighton Station
There’s no better time to visit this sleepy Sussex time than on ‘remember remember the 5th of November’. Each Bonfire Night, it hosts England’s largest celebrations, and they go back a long-arse time. You’ll see huge political figurines go up in smoke, flaming barrels and ancient processions.
The rest of the year, Lewes is quaint and cute, with windy streets and a village atmosphere. It’s a direct train and a top day out from Brighton, taking about 20 minutes.
2. The Seven Sisters
- Getting there by car: 20 minutes
Perfect for kite flying and jaw dropping views, this is a stretch of curvy white cliffs dipping their way into the sea. The locals walk dogs, scratch messages into the wood of the sea bollards and feel the wind in their hair.
The view everyone wants, and splashes across the internet, is from Seaford Head, which also has parking.
If you don’t drive, you can get here here by bus using the A259 every 15 mins at peak times over the summer, and every half hour on Sundays.
3. South Downs National Park
- Getting there by car: the Downs start more or less from the city boundary, but the most common starting point (Devil’s Dyke) is around 25 minutes by car.
Luscious greenery just outside the city? Yes please. This stunning area is free to enter, made up of wide meadows, roaming sheep and patchwork views.
Best for picnicking is the amusingly named Devil’s Dyke, which is by a pub of the same name. There’s a pint in there with your name on it!
4. Arundel Castle and town
- Getting there by car: 40 minutes on the A27
- Getting there by train: around an hour, changing at Barnham
Close your eyes and think of where Sleeping Beauty grew up. Chances are, you’ve pictured Arundel. It looks like it belongs on a postcard, with a nest of houses wedged between a fairytale castle and the winding River Arun.
The ideal time to go is during their August festival, when the locals poor sackloads of rubber duckies into the river and bet on the winning duck.
The rest of the year, you can easily fill a day with a jaunt by the river, a pub lunch and potter around its fairly extravagant castle. Castle entrance tickets are valid for a whole year, which is a winner.
5. Herstmonceaux
- Getting there by car: 50 minutes, on the A27 and rural roads
Sure, you’ve looked at the stars, but have you really seen them? This rural Sussex observatory is hidden away in a tiny hamlet and has a ginormous telescope for stargazers to take in the Dark Skies. Light pollution is other people’s problem.
They also run astronomy open days and evening courses and have the kind of hands-on science equipment for sticky fingered kids.
The downside to being so countrified means of course you can really only get there by car, but there’s parking and a cluster of proper pubs in the area.
6. Hastings
- Getting there by car: one hour
- Getting there by train: one hour, direct
Try a slice of seaside and a whole lot of history at this out-of-the-norm town, an hour’s drive away from base.
It’s got pebbled beaches, cute fishing boats and lots to do.
You’ll come for the unique fishing huts and the nostalgic cliff railway, stay for the shops and clifftop views.
Find the perfect one day itinerary here.
7. West Wittering
Camber Sands might be the more famous choice, but for me this is the choice for true beach fans.
West Wittering is a spot of lovely sandy beach just outside Chichester, surrounded by a small village. If you like your beaches without a city, this is for you.
8. Portsmouth
- Getting there by car: an hour
- Getting there by train: 1 hour 20, direct
Alive with shabby chic cafes, narrow streets and a whimsical kite festival in the summer, this city is over the border in Hampshire and is the home of the British Navy.
The historic dockyard is the place to have nosey, where you can see the ancient relic of the Mary Rose or get aboard the HMS Victory.
9. Bournemouth
- Getting there by car: 2-2.5 hours
Love Brighton’s quirky gay scene but miss a place where you can use a bucket and spade? You’re not alone, a lot of people think it’d be just perfect to have an actual sandy beach here, instead of the pebble beaches the city is known for.
Luckily, Bournemouth has seven miles of proper sand and it’s about two hours away along the coastline, in Dorset.
Yup, it’s just about in reach for a day in the sun. And yes, Britain does have sun!
It’s a tourist option in its own right, acting as a younger brother to Brighton with its own pier, seafront and pretty gardens.
10. London
- Getting there by car: impossible! London is legendary for its traffic.
- Getting there by train: 1-1.5 hours direct depending on train speed
The big daddy of the list.
This trip is so famous, it’s a cliche. Londoners spend so much time by the seaside at the weekend that they’ve earnt their own nickname – Down From Londoners – or DFLs.
Get in on the hype, grab a train and take on the capital.
A few more Brighton day out ideas
Why not spend the day closer to home in Brighton’s more genteel sister, Hove, where I’ve got a full list of the best things to do.
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