Fit for a prince. Why you should add Sussex to your list of places to visit.

Following their much publicised Royal Wedding last weekend, the newly titled Duke and Duchess of Sussex might finally get some long awaited time together out of the public eye.

But should Harry and Megan decide to venture out and explore Sussex, the county recently bestowed on them by Her Majesty, The Queen, what exactly can they expect to find?

Holiday Cottage Compare offers to guide them through the best of what’s on offer in this ancient coastal area of England.

History – and lots of it

Located just an hour from London (and understandably popular with visitors because of that), Sussex is an historic county, in the south of England, dating back to Anglo Saxon times and earlier.

Now administratively divided into West Sussex and East Sussex, most of its population can be found along its coastline, following a social movement for sea bathing, which became popular amongst the wealthy in the second half of the 18^th century. This explains the rise of resorts along the coast, including Brighton, Hastings, Worthing and Bognor.

With a longstanding reputation for independence of thought, Sussex has always attracted like-minded individuals and is nowadays known for its bonfire festivals, its musical heritage and hosting the largest gay pride festival in the UK.

A proud musical heritage

Not only has Sussex produced composers such as Elgar And Vaughan Williams, it’s also spawned the likes of Keane, The Feeling, Leo Sayer, Tom Odell, The Cure, The Levellers and Rag'n'Bone Man. Quite some heritage!

It even hosted the Eurovision Song Contest in 1974, which jettisoned ABBA to international fame.

Sussex: the sunshine state of the British Isles

Believe it or, The Met Office have confirmed that Sussex is the sunshine state of the British Isles, with more days of sun than any other county.

And the popular town of Bognor Regis takes the overall title, with an average of 1903 hours of blazing sunshine each year!

Which makes Sussex ideally suited to long sunny afternoons wandering round its towns and villages or perhaps picnicking on the beach in one of its English Channel seaside resorts.

Perfect for culture vultures

Tired of the hussle and bussle of the cities and towns? Take some time out to explore Sussex’s cultural landmarks such as Charleston House, in East Sussex, the country retreat of the Bloomsbury Set, whose members included Vanessa Bell, Duncan Grant and Virginia Woolf, some of the twentieth century’s most pioneering artists, writers and thinkers.

Discover the decorated interior and the artist’s garden and find out what made this house a living space of freedom and tolerance.

Alternatively, lovers of opera will already be more than familiar with the draw of Glyndebourne, an English country house near Lewes in East Sussex, which has been the site of the Glyndebourne Festival Opera since 1934. Dig out your best evening wear, champagne flutes, picnic hamper and rug and join fellow festival goers for an evening to remember.

Wine and dine: the gastronomic delights of Sussex

As for its food, apparently Sussex is known for ‘seven good things’: Amberley trout, Arundel mullet, Bourne wheatear, Chichester lobster, Pulborough eel, Rye herring and Selsey cockle. Plus a Sussex Pond Pudding containing enough butter to clog up your arteries in one serving!

Add into the mix Sussex’s longstanding history of wine making, beer brewing and cider pressing and you have the perfect recipe for a great meal out.

As you’d expect, there are no shortage of places to visit, from gastropubs to more formal restaurants.

Indulge in a little celeb spotting

Sussex lays claim to the fame of a number of celebrities who have been drawn to its beautiful landscapes and wonderful coastline to live.

Academy winning actor Cate Blanchett resides in a 19^th century mansion near Crowborough and Oscar winner Kate Winslett can be found in her 17^th century home up near the Hampshire border.

Benedict Cumberbatch hails from West Sussex where Jodie Kidd also owns a pub. Closer to Brighton, you may well bump into Adele or David Walliams as well, of course, as DJ Norman Cook (Fatboy Slim) and radio presenter Zoe Ball.

And whilst AA Milne can sadly no longer be found in Ashdown Forest, as the setting for his Winnie-the-Pooh stories, it’s always worth keeping an eye out for little round bears…

 

Fancy taking a closer look? Browse over 180 holiday cottages in East Sussex and West Sussex.

Or let us know what you’re looking for in your next holiday cottage and we’ll happily help you find somewhere.