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Holiday destination under an hour from London has ‘UK’s only desert’ and warmest beach, plus plenty of free attractions

Plus, where to dress up like a Tudor and hop on a marine safari

With 140 miles of beautiful coastline, rolling countryside dotted with nature reserves and endless eating and drinking options, Sussex offers all your holiday essentials. 

This is a county packed with things to do, from wildlife watching to delving into a history that will intrigue both adults and children. 

Sussex has 140 miles of beautiful coastline including the Seven Sisters cliffs (pictured), rolling countryside dotted with nature reserves and endless eating and drinking options
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Sussex has 140 miles of beautiful coastline including the Seven Sisters cliffs (pictured), rolling countryside dotted with nature reserves and endless eating and drinking optionsCredit: Getty
Arundel Castle is highly rated as an indoor attraction when the weather is rough
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Arundel Castle is highly rated as an indoor attraction when the weather is roughCredit: Getty

Add to that fun family days out and the brilliant beaches of both East and West Sussex and the hardest question on your upcoming £9.50 Holiday will be: where to visit first?

Foodies can whet their appetite with a meal at somewhere like in Rye, where MasterChef finalist Rosie Furnival creates dishes such as wild garlic arancini and tuna ceviche. 

If you’re into seafood, in Sidlesham is a good choice, while in Worthing and in Brighton are also highly rated for theirs. 

You’ve also got your choice of chippies by the sea, with in Selsey and in Dungeness being recommended by Sun readers and local experts.

Read More on UK beaches

Dungeness used to be called Britain's only desert, but the Met Office stopped that officially in 2015, as deserts need little rainfall and large differences in day and night temperatures... and it has neither.

When it’s time to burn it all off, take your pick of activities, including paddleboarding in a sheltered inland lake near Camber Sands with a company like .

A recent   actually showed that Camber Sands is the Uk beach to get warmest first in spring, hitting highs of 19C.

Active families could hit a cycle path together, with options that include the , which traces the seafront of Worthing and beyond.

Wet weather options include Sussex’s impressive range of free museums, like in Chichester and in Hastings, which both offer activities for children. 

, and Brighton’s are also highly rated as indoor options.   

You can step back in time at a variety of historic attractions, like , (Britain’s first Norman castle) and Henry VIII’s .

To dive deeper into Tudor life, you could head to the in Lewes, which has a traditional Tudor garden and a dressing-up box for kids.

The historic Anne of Cleves House in the town of Lewes in East Sussex
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The historic Anne of Cleves House in the town of Lewes in East SussexCredit: Getty

Or perhaps you prefer to soak up Sussex’s natural beauty.

If so, then a bracing walk along the white cliffs is a must – the and Beachy Head are stunning places to start.

Near Chichester, is home to an ancient forest of yews, while is teeming with wildlife. 

You can watch birds from one of the nature reserve’s hides – with oystercatchers, curlews and lapwings among the frequently spotted species. 

For something more energetic, you could hop onto a boat for a seal-spotting safari, with tours available in both East and West Sussex ( and ). 

If your idea of holiday bliss is simply to relax on the beach, then Sussex has you covered. 

You’re in for a treat with both pebble and sandy beaches running right along the coastline, and traditional seaside resorts.

Brighton, Bognor Regis, Eastbourne and Rye offer pretty promenades and piers loaded with attractions and arcades. 

And West Wittering, Camber Sands, Seaford and Worthing beaches are all consistently highly rated, with West Wittering and Hove awarded Blue Flag status for safety and water quality.

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But you’re also never far from a quieter beach. 

Those looking to escape the crowds can slink off to somewhere like the far end of Seal Bay in West Sussex or the beach at Rye Nature Reserve, both recommended by our £9.50 Holiday park staff.

Camber Sands beach is one of the UK's best-known beaches
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Camber Sands beach is one of the UK's best-known beachesCredit: Getty
Those looking to escape the crowds can slink off to somewhere like  the beach at Rye Nature Reserve
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Those looking to escape the crowds can slink off to somewhere like the beach at Rye Nature ReserveCredit: Getty
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