An English coastal county has made a list of the world’s 25 best places to visit next year.
Sussex joins Queensland’s Tropical Coast, Muscat in Oman and the French city of Marseille on Condé Nast Traveller‘s list of the best places to visit in 2025.
The website hails Brighton, Rottingdean, Eastbourne, Petworth and the South Downs as among East Sussex and West Sussex’s highlights.
It asks whether West Sussex could become the new Cotswolds in 2025 and describes the county as a “hotbed” of creatives, including Mumford & Sons.
Sussex is well-known for its natural beauty, boasting the South Downs National Park, the High Weald National Landscape and Chichester Harbour.
A “walking wonderland” according to South Downs National Park, recommended walks include Seven Sisters to Eastbourne; Alfriston to Seven Sisters, Housedean Farm to Pyecombe and Pyecombe to Devil’s Dyke.
Visit South East England lists shopping in Rottingdean, Bognor Regis’s East Beach, Parham House and Gardens and 1066 Battle Abbey and Battlefield as among the county’s star destinations.
West Wittering Beach is “ideal” for children to play on and safe for swimming, according to Visit South East England.
The villages of Ringmer, Telscombe, Cooksbridge and Didling are also recommended along with the town, Haywards Heath, which has an “impressive collection” of Victorian and Edwardian houses.
Sussex also boasts some beautiful gardens, including Nymans just outside Handcross, Sheffield Park and Gardens near Haywards Heath and Wakehurst, which is home to the world’s largest seed conservation project.
Arundel Castle includes a Rose Garden and is home to an annual tulip festival while Leonardslee Gardens is Grade I-listed, with 240 acres of parkland, forests and lawns.
Bluebell Railway near Sheffield Park, Latchetts Farm ice cream parlour and Washbrooks Family Farm in Hurstpierpoint are recommended as great for families by Discover Sussex.
Other popular spots include The Lanes shopping area in Brighton, Brighton Pier, Brighton Beach and the city’s Royal Pavilion historic palace.
West Sussex’s top 10 eateries according to Tripadvisor include Butlers in Arundel, The Parsons Table, also in Arundel, the Boars Head in Horsham, The Stag Inn, Petworth, and Saltio, Worthing.
The Bull in Worthing, Piccolino, Chichester, The Old Mill in East Grinstead, The Black Horse in Arundel, Lockhart Tavern in Haywards Heath and Horsham’s Brewhouse & Kitchen complete the top 10 list.
Accommodation-wise, The Good Hotel Guide recommends family-owned Park House in Midhurst, The Cat Inn, West Hoathly, The Halfway Bridge, Petworth, The Royal Oak in East Lavant and The Old Railway Station, also in Petworth.