The county of West Sussex comprises half of the historic county of Sussex, although West and East Sussex have been administratively separated for centuries. West Sussex borders East Sussex, as well as Hampshire and Surrey, which separates the county from southwest London. West Sussex is a beautifully scenic area. Historically the area was primarily woodland, and although today there are numerous towns and urban settlements its countryside is still renowned. The South Downs National Park occupies a great deal of West Sussex, and stretches out into Hampshire and East Sussex on either side. It offers stunning southern scenery and plenty of opportunities for hiking and exploring.

Thanks to its long history of occupation, West Sussex also contains several historic sites spanning 2000 years. The Romans made their presence felt in southern England prior to the arrival of the Saxons, and there are two recovered villas open to the public, one at Bignor and the other at Fishbourne. Chichester, the county town of West Sussex, also has a past as a Roman settlement. Bramber Castle, which sits in the village of Bramber, was Norman-built in the 11th century. However, only few remains still stand today. The elevated town of Arundel, on the other hand, offers both a medieval castle and a gothic cathedral dating to the 19th century.

Chichester is one of the largest towns in West Sussex, followed by Crawley, Worthing and East Grinstead. Other notable bases include Horsham, an interior market town, and the quaint coastal resort town of Bognor Regis. Gatwick Airport also sits just north of Crawley. It is one of the biggest and busiest airports in the UK, transporting millions of international travellers every year. Gatwick sits along the northern edge of West Sussex, and Crawley is less than 30 miles from the centre of London. This creates a great degree of freedom for visitors to the county. A trip to West Sussex can include touring around historic buildings, a hike through the South Downs, a day spent lounging along the coast or even sightseeing in the vibrant English capital.