Look at our Sussex ‘top 10’ and read about places we enjoy visiting and what we like to do locally. They are listed in no particular order.
Walk on the South Downs
You’ll find country footpaths within minutes of leaving Rosebud Cottage. Follow the nearby Upper Horseshoe route and enjoy wonderful views both beyond Brighton and towards the coast.
Books and maps in the cottage can help you decide which walks to choose.
Swim at the nearby coast. Or just watch the waves!
The nearest beach on the Sussex coast is at Shoreham-by-Sea – a 15 minute drive or a 20 minute bus ride on the no 2 bus. On a windy day you will see plenty of kite surfers!
If you prefer a sandy beach travel east along the coast to Climping – just beyond Littlehampton.
Swim at the nearby coast. Or just watch the waves!
The nearest beach on the Sussex coast is at Shoreham-by-Sea – a 15 minute drive or a 20 minute bus ride on the no 2 bus. On a windy day you will see plenty of kite surfers!
If you prefer a sandy beach travel east along the coast to Climping – just beyond Littlehampton.
Enjoy beautiful Sussex gardens
You will be spoiled for choice if you are a garden lover!
One of my favourites is Borde Hill Gardens – always a treat to visit. It is near Haywards Heath and a half an hour drive from Steyning.
Find out about some of the best gardens in Sussex
Try traditional English afternoon tea
Afternoon tea is a must if you stay in Steyning.
Cobblestone Tea House and Victoria’s Sponge are both excellent and within a 5 minute walk from Rosebud Cottage.
Try traditional English afternoon tea
Afternoon tea is a must if you stay in Steyning.
Cobblestone Tea House and Victoria’s Sponge are both excellent and within a 5 minute walk from Rosebud Cottage.
Discover Sussex Churches
There are many Norman and Saxon churches locally.
St Nicholas Church in Bramber – a mile from Steyning – shares a hilltop with the ruins of the castle. Both were built shortly after the Norman Conquest.
The nave, with its Norman south doorway, and the chancel have survived from the original church.
Visit the Weald and Downland Museum
This excellent museum showcases local rural buildings over the centuries.
There are more than 50 buildings to explore from a replica Anglo-Saxon hall house to an Edwardian tin church.
The museum is in Singleton, near Chichester. Read more about this Living Museum
Visit the Weald and Downland Museum
This excellent museum showcases local rural buildings over the centuries.
There are more than 50 buildings to explore from a replica Anglo-Saxon hall house to an Edwardian tin church.
The museum is in Singleton, near Chichester. Read more about this Living Museum
Get close to nature
Go to a local reserve – RSPB Pulborough Brooks, the Wildfowl and Wetland Centre in Arundel – or walk around the Knepp Estate where ‘rewilding’ began in 2001.
Rare species E.g. nightingales and purple emperor butterflies, are now breeding here. They have recently been successful in having white storks nest.
Public footpaths run through the grounds.
A 15 minute drive from Steyning.
Stroll on a pier
Worthing’s pier was the thirteenth to be built in England at a cost of £6,500. It was officially opened in April 1862.
It is one of four Victorian piers on the Sussex coast and just 6 miles from Steyning
I am especially familiar with this pier, as I was born and grew up in Worthing.
Stroll on a pier
Worthing’s pier was the thirteenth to be built in England at a cost of £6,500. It was officially opened in April 1862.
It is one of four Victorian piers on the Sussex coast and just 6 miles from Steyning
I am especially familiar with this pier, as I was born and grew up in Worthing.
Join A Vineyard Tour
Sussex has a growing number of commercially successful vineyards. They often do well in international competitions.
I recommend a trip to Nutbourne or Wiston (just a few miles from Steyning) where you can learn about how they grow the grapes and create the wines. You can also sample them!
Take a trip to Beachy Head
Beachy Head and its lighthouse are close to the start of the South Downs Way. Its about an hour’s drive from Steyning – just outside Eastbourne.
The cliffs here are part of the Seven Sisters – not the white cliffs of Dover, which are much further east in Kent.
If you are a keen hiker you might want to follow the cliff path to Cuckmere Haven.
Take a trip to Beachy Head
Beachy Head and its lighthouse are close to the start of the South Downs Way. Its about an hour’s drive from Steyning – just outside Eastbourne.
The cliffs here are part of the Seven Sisters – not the white cliffs of Dover, which are much further east in Kent.
If you are a keen hiker you might want to follow the cliff path to Cuckmere Haven.