From food, arts and comedy festivals to historically important archaeological digs, adrenalin-fuelled motorsport and horse shows, Sussex’s events calendar is brimming with exciting things to see and do this summer. Here’s our pick of the season to enjoy whatever the weather.
Meadowland at Wakehurst, Ardingly, until September 10
Wakehurst is home to a range of beautiful biodiverse meadows – from the ancient Hanging Meadow in the Loder Valley Nature Reserve to Coronation Meadow created in 2015 as a response to the then Prince of Wales’ call for new wildflower meadows to mark 60 years of the late Queen’s reign.
This summer, forming its most ambitious summer programme to date, the wild botanic garden will present Meadowland, a series of bespoke art installations specially commissioned for the 535-acre site to give voice to one of Britain’s most critically threatened habitats.
Running for 13 weeks, it represents both a celebration of the diverse wildflowers, grasses and wildlife that form these precious ecosystems and a rallying cry to unite people in protecting the rare habitat for future generations as it is estimated only one per cent of species-rich meadows survive in active management.
Highlights include: Five 3.5m tall wooden gateways decked in multicoloured prayer flags; a giant steel gramophone projecting a series of interviews with meadow wildlife recorded onsite at Wakehurst and the garden’s 40-acre ancient parkland, South Park, will open to the public for the very first time. Free with admission.
The Tiger Who Came to Tea at Nymans, Handcross, until July 14
Little ones and adults alike will enjoy exploring this very special teatime through extracts and illustrations from Judith Kerr’s classic tale.
In the Story Room, youngsters can take a seat at Sophie's kitchen table, play dress-up with costumes from the story or cosy up and read the book together.
What’s more, if you visit on any Friday in July, you can make the most of long summer evenings and experience the garden in a new light with late admission until 8:30pm.
Pack up a picnic, flick out your rug, sit back and enjoy live music takeaway drinks and snacks available from the horsebox. Free with general admission.
The Festival of Chichester, Chichester until July 21
Presenting almost 40 superbly varied musical events plus art, theatre and cinema, the month-long Festival of Chichester has something for everyone.
Listen to the first concert in over 40 years featuring the original 1822 organ at St John’s Chapel following restoration, sing along as David Bathurst performs from memory every ABBA song ever released and hear best-selling author Anthony Horowitz in conversation with Kate Mosse as he launches the latest in his Alex Rider series. There’s also observational drawing walks at Pallant House, Hugh Bonneville in conservation at Arundel Castle in aid of the Sussex Snowdrop Trust and The Chichester Symphony Orchestra will brings the city its very own ‘Last Night at the Proms’ evening. Ticket prices vary.
West Dean Gardens Pergola Open Air Theatre, Chichester, select dates from June 28 to July 13
More al fresco evening entertainment is on offer in Chichester where the historic West Dean Gardens will play host to two plays at its open-air theatre set around its Edwardian pergola.
The rich and rowdy romp Tom Jones by Joan MacAlpine and Henry Fielding in on June 29, July 3, 5, 9 11 and 13; and Mixed Doubles, an entertaining play on marriage by Alan Ayckbourn, George Melly, James Saunders, Harold Pinter, Alun Owen, Fay Weldon, David Campton, Lyndon Brook and John Bowen shows on June 28, July 2, 4, 6, 10 and 12. Tickets cost £10.
Ride & Dine the South Downs, Alfriston, July to September
Combine two great East Sussex experiences – exploring the South Downs by mountain bike and a feast of seasonal Sussex fare at Alex and Olivia Polizzi’s hotel The Star in Alfriston.
Exploring the South Downs on two wheels can take you to undiscovered corners and from The Star you can ride the quiet riverside lanes of the Cuckmere Valley that meander through Litlington village, past Friston Forest and down to the stunning coastline of Cuckmere Haven and the Seven Sisters. Or, for a slightly more energetic ride, the South Downs Way is within reach of most riders and you may even come face to face with the Long Man of Wilmington. Either way, there’s a guide on hand, you can choose between electric or conventional bike, and a delicious locally-sources meal will await you at The Star on your return. Ride & Dine costs from £280 for two people.
Brighton comedy garden, Peston Park, July 3 to 7
You can laugh along with some of the UK’s top comic talent as they take the stage during this outdoor comedy festival on the East Sussex coast.
Stand-up supremo Dara Ó Briain headlines on opening night, while star of the BAFTA-nominated, The Last Leg, and co-host of mega-hit podcast Parenting Hell, Josh Widdicombe, is Thursday’s headliner.
Eight-time British Comedy Award winner Harry Hill is top of the listings on Friday, followed by fellow multi-award-winning comedian Sarah Pascoe on Saturday and Ross Noble on Sunday. There will be a host of other comedians performing throughout five-day festival plus craft beer, delicious eats and more. Tickets cost £26.
Rye food and drink festival, Rye, July 5 to 7
Now in its second year, the free-to-enter Rye Food & Drink Festival returns to Town Salts this July with a great selection of local, national and international stalls offering scrumptious street foods, great grocery foods and quirky arts and crafts.
Foodies will be able to sample and shop the wide variety of delicacies while listening to live music and there will be a host of activities to keep children entertained too.
The festival opens at midday on Friday and runs to 5pm on Sunday with ticketed comedy events taking place on Friday and Saturday evenings from 7pm.
WOLO Foundation FundRaver, Barcombe, July 6
Dust off those whistles and dance the night away at this old school-style rave to raise money for Sussex charity, the WOLO Foundation, which helps families across the county affected by cancer.
Stroude's barn at Culver Farm, in Barcombe, will be transformed into a rural nightclub from 7:30pm to midnight when local DJ Alice Ashton will be on the decks. There will also be a fully licensed bar, street food, a glitter station and photobooth. Tickets cost £27 with free parking.
Petworth Summer Festival, Petworth July 10 to 27
While the theme to this year’s Petworth Summer Festival, is ‘Blue’, the line-up certainly won’t leave you feeling that way.
Taking to the stage for the 45th summer festival are classical stars including Simon Keenlyside, Boris Giltburg and Joanna MacGregor; jazz musicians Eliane Correa and Joe Stilgoe; world music star N’famady Kouyate; performance poet and storyteller Luke Wright, and Mike and the Mechanics front man Roachford, who brings his own band.
The three-week festival culminates on July 27 with a performance of Gershwin’s Rhapsody in Blue from Ronnie Scott’s supremo pianist James Pearson. Ticket prices vary.
The Big Hoot, Chichester & Arundel, July 10 to September 1
Chichester and Arundel’s first large scale outdoor art trail will see 30 owl sculptures swooping into public green spaces this summer holiday season.
Look out for the nocturnal birds, each uniquely designed by local and national artists, nesting around Chichester high street and harbour, and Arundel’s historic town centre – including the Sussex Life-sponsored stained-glass owl.
The trail, in aid of Chestnut Tree House children’s hospice, also includes a series of Little Hoot sculptures sponsored by schools across the county.
Goodwood Festival of Speed, Chichester, July 11 to 14
Bringing together an exceptional array of cars and motorcycles and renowned as the place to rub shoulders with the biggest names in motorsport, the Goodwood Festival of Speed has been one of the highlights of the calendar for over 30 years. This year, MG will take centre stage, with a soaring central feature to mark the brand’s centenary, while the theme – ‘Horseless to Hybrid – Revolutions in Power’ – will celebrate the advances in technology that have shaped motorsport.
To celebrate its 20th anniversary, Oracle Red Bull Racing will showcase a multitude of championship-winning cars and unveil the RB17, while Williams Racing will be bringing F1 drivers Alex Albon and Logan Sargeant, alongside Team Principal James Vowels and F1 Academy driver Lia Block. The legendary Richard Petty will also return in celebration of 75 years at the heart of American motorsport. General admission tickets only remain available for Thursday and cost £70. Hospitality packages are available throughout the weekend.
Henry VIII on Tour archaeological dig at Petworth House, Petworth, July 19 to 31
There are many reasons to visit Petworth House but this summer there’s one more – to join an exciting live dig in search for evidence of the lost Tudor wing of the 17th century property.
As part of a landmark research project, led by Historic Royal Palaces in partnership with the University of York, this July archaeologists will be tracing the footsteps of Henry VIII to discover more about his times at Petworth.
On select dates while the dig is taking place, visitors of all ages can join the search, experience tours of the trenches, chat with the experts and handle finds.
Throughout the school holidays there will be Tudor-themed crafts and games inspired by the dig including Tudor Tuesdays and Thursdays, when youngsters can ‘make and take’ crafts, from swanky swords and Tudor Rose badges to magnificent crowns, miniature catapults and puppets. There will also be archery, hobby horse jousting and court jester juggling. Free with entry.
Bluebell Railway Music Festival, Horsted Keynes, July 20 & 21
Combine a steam train journey through the High Weald of Sussex with live music into the evening at this music festival with a difference.
Centred around Horsted Keynes Station, the festival will feature a selection of bands bringing a range of genres from yesteryear to suit audiences both young and old.
There will be a variety of other activities and entertainment, as well as historical vehicles, helping to contribute to the vintage atmosphere of this family festival.
Entry tickets including train travel cost £30 for adults and just £1 for children.
Agria Royal International Horse Show, Hickstead, July 23 to 28
Over five days this July, Britain’s home of international showjumping, Hickstead, will play host to the Royal International Horse Show, showcasing hundreds of the very best horses and ponies.
Wednesday is all about the prestigious British Showjumping Winter Finals, while the international showjumping action gets underway on Thursday with the Royal International Vase and the Royal International Trophy before the country’s leading event riders do battle in the Ashby Underwriting Eventers’ Challenge.
On Friday, spectators have their only chance to see the Brits compete as a team on home turf in the Agria Nations Cup of Great Britain, which will see riders face tough competition from showjumping nations, including Germany, France and Sweden.
The historic Queen Elizabeth II Cup and King George V Gold Cup round the action off at the weekend. Tickets start from £20, free for under 15s when booked in advance.
Open air cinema at Leonardslee Lakes & Gardens, Lower Beeding, July 27, August 17, September 7 & 21.
A whole summer of films under the stars awaits at Leonardslee Lakes & Gardens, where you can watch romantic classics and Hollywood blockbusters against the backdrop of over 200 acres of Grade I Listed woodland gardens.
Choose from performances of Notting Hill, which celebrates its 25th anniversary this year, last year’s hit Wonka, Grease and The Greatest Showman, and arrive early to enjoy live music and a selection of street food. Then all that’s left to do as the sun begins to set, is sit back and relax under a blanket and enjoy.
Tickets cost £16.50 for adults and £10.50 for children.
Classic cars & garden tours at Parham House, Storrington, select days in July & August
Car fanatics have another date to pop in the diary. On August 4, the Jaguar Enthusiasts Club will visit Parham House and display dozens of classic and contemporary cars near the entrance to the house and gardens, for the enjoyment of those visiting on the day.
A programme of exclusive tours will also take place at Parham on select days throughout July, enabling visitors to explore the house, gardens and specific aspects of the estate. Immerse yourself in the stories of Parnham’s past on a house tour; discover the beauty and nature of the landscape on Garden Tour; explore the intricate tapestries and textiles that adorn the walls of Parham on the Needlework Tour or marvel at the antique clocks scattered around the house on the Clock Tour. Tours cost from £21. General admission to the gardens costs £11.50 and £15.50 for the house and gardens.
Visit a vineyard, across Sussex throughout summer
Summer is such a great time to visit a vineyard and with over 100 in Sussex, there are plenty to explore.
Many of the county’s wine estates are free to visit but most host bookable tours and tastings at weekends (some during the week) plus special ticketed events, including dining among the vines and pop-up street food evenings, which showcase the vines and wine in all their glory.
If you’d like to take in a few vineyards in a day and make the most of the experience by not having to drive, you can step aboard Great British Wine Tours’ iconic vintage London Red Routemaster bus and tour three of these four vineyards, Artelium, Albourne, Ridgeview and Court Garden. Tours leave Brighton each Saturday until October and tickets cost £125 and include lunch among the vines. They also have a new West Sussex tour, which takes in Wiston, Kinsbrook and Nutbourne.
