New Homes in Sussex

A place where the seaside meets historic sites and vibrant cities

Located in the south east of England, Sussex encompasses popular towns and cities including Brighton, Eastbourne, Hastings, Chichester, Lewes, and Crawley. With everything from bustling seaside towns to the South Downs National Park and important historical sites, there’s no shortage of things to see and do within a short distance from your new home in Sussex.

Sussex through the ages

Sussex got its name from the Anglo-Saxons during the 5th century, but the history of the region goes all the way back to the Palaeolithic Age with the discovery of ancient Neanderthal remains dated around 500,000 years old at Boxgrove. There is also evidence of Mesolithic hunting people in Sussex before the Bronze Age which has left a number of burial sites throughout the county. Iron Age sites in Sussex include the hill fort Cissbury Ring on the South Downs, while the Roman era that followed saw roads being built throughout the county, along with residences including Fishbourne Roman Palace. Pevensey Castle was built to defend the coast from the Saxons.

One of the biggest events in the Sussex history books is the Battle of Hastings, when William the Conqueror arrived at Hastings, defeating Harold Godwinson and leaving many Sussex soldiers dead. The county was also at the forefront of the Hundred Years War, and was invaded by French pirates.

During the 18th and 19th centuries, Sussex became a popular tourist destination as bathing in the sea became fashionable, especially at Bognor, Hastings, Brighton and Worthing. During the Second World War, the air fields in Sussex were integral to the Battle of Britain, and the county was subjected to bombing from the Germans. Today the county is a thriving part of southern Britain, and especially popular with commuters working in London who want to live by or near to the sea.

Must-know info for families

For house buyers moving to the area with children, there are a large number of highly-rated schools in Sussex. Some of the best independent schools in the county include Our Lady of Sion School in Worthing, Christ’s Hospital School in Horsham, The Towers Convent School in Steyning, St Leonards Mayfield School and Burgess Hill School for Girls. Top state schools include Millais School in Horsham, St Paul’s Catholic College in Burgess Hill, Tanbridge House School in Horsham, Priory School in Lewes and St Richard’s Catholic College in Bexhill-on-Sea.

For higher education, The University of Sussex, the University of Chichester and the University of Brighton are located in the area, providing a wide range of degree courses.

Places to see and things to do

When it comes to family entertainment, there’s no shortage of things to see and do in Sussex. Some of the most popular child-friendly attractions in the area include Brighton Pier, Drusillas Park, Brighton Sea Life Centre, Blackberry Farm near Lewes, Lewes Castle and Battle Abbey, where you can rediscover the Battle of Hastings. Sussex Day is an annual celebration in the county, when Sussex culture is celebrated in towns and cities across the region.

What about business?

Traditionally, industry in Sussex centres around clay working, forestry, glass making and agriculture, but today businesses are very diverse and span everything from banking to car manufacturing. Aside from the local universities, councils and hospitals, some of the biggest employers in the county include American Express, Club Penguin and Bupa Global in Brighton, Virgin Holidays and William Reed in Crawley, and Rolls Royce near Chichester.

For travel

For commuters, the A23 links Brighton with Crawley, with the M23 going onward towards London, while the A27 runs in line with the coast and links Hastings with Eastbourne, Brighton, Worthing and Chichester. If you travel by train, the journey from Brighton to Worthing takes just 20 minutes, while the train from Eastbourne to Brighton takes around 40 minutes.

If you’re travelling to the capital, the train from Brighton to London takes just 1 hour via the Thameslink and Southern Rail services. For journeys abroad, Gatwick is close by and offers routes with major airlines to destinations all around the world.