Sussex Day is on 16 June and has become a popular way for residents to celebrate its rich heritage and everything that is good about the county.
The date was chosen because it is St Richard's Day, which marks the life of St Richard, Bishop of Chichester from 1245 until his death in 1253.
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Sussex Day message from Councillor Pete Bradbury, Chairman of West Sussex County Council.
“We’ve already enjoyed the Coronation of King Charles III this year and now we have another chance to celebrate, this time Sussex Day on 16 June.
Sometimes it’s easy to forget just what a great county we live in. Sussex Day is an opportunity to pause and appreciate this wonderful part of the world that’s home to almost 900,000 people and that welcomes tens of thousands more each year as visitors from across the world.
At the County Council, we encourage communities to come together, take advantage of everything our county has to offer and support our vibrant and prosperous economy.
As we’re heading into the summer, you could explore the stunning array of walks in our beautiful countryside or along our 50 miles of coastline, or discover the county’s vast selection of art, culture, heritage, nature, events, venues, sport and eateries.
Take a look at our Experience West Sussex website for inspiration on what to enjoy right here on our doorstep.
I’d like to take this opportunity to wish you a happy and healthy Sussex Day 2023 and hope you will discover something new to enjoy in our county.”
Test your local knowledge by taking our Sussex Day quiz.
Below are just a few of the reasons we celebrate Sussex.
Literature
Many famous people have been inspired by Sussex:
- Jane Austen, novelist
- J M Barrie, playwright and author
- Hilaire Belloc, writer and historian
- William Blake, poet, artist, engraver and mystic
- Eric Coates, composer
- William Cobbett, journalist and political writer
- Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, novelist
- John Constable, painter
- Eleanor Farjeon, poet and short story writer
- James Joyce, novelist
- John Keats, poet
- Alfred Lord Tennyson, author and poet.
Countryside and local attractions
Sussex has some of the most beautiful countryside in England, with 80 per cent of the county being rural and over 50 per cent designated as Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty.
An extensive network of public rights of way allows access throughout the county. This ranges from the sandstone hills of the High Weald, across the patchwork of pasture and woodland that makes up the Weald, and over the rolling Sussex Downs to the coastal plain, with its wooded harbours and open beaches.
Sussex also boasts a wealth of wildlife. For example, there are 45 regular breeder butterfly species here. The most famous is the Chalk Hill Blue, which lives in chalk grassland on the South Downs.
Experience West Sussex
One of the UK’s most diverse counties, West Sussex covers both coast and the South Downs National Park, encompassing hills, harbours, farmland and market towns. From stately homes to breath-taking beaches, discover and explore the gems right here on our doorstep. Take a look at our Experience West Sussex website for inspiration on places to go, things to see, local food and drink, walks, cycle trails and much more!