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{{Short description|County of England}}
{{About|the county|the former parliamentary constituency|East Sussex (UK Parliament constituency)}}
{{More citations needed|date=May 2022}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=December 2023}}
{{Infobox English county
| official_name = East Sussex
| other_name =
| image_main = {{multiple images
|border=infobox
|perrow=1 2
|total_width=270px
| image1 = Seven Sisters 02.JPG
| image2 = All Saints Church, Mountfield (NHLE Code 1275863).JPG
| image3 = Brighton royal pavilion Qmin.jpg
}}
| image_caption = The [[Seven Sisters, East Sussex|Seven Sisters]] cliffs, [[Mountfield, East Sussex|Mountfield]] church in the [[Weald]], and the [[Royal Pavilion, Brighton]]
| flag_link =
| arms_link =
| locator_map = [[File:East Sussex UK locator map 2010.svg|200px|East Sussex within England]]
| coordinates = {{Coord|50.94|N|0.37|E|region:GB-ESX_type:adm1st|display=inline,title}}
| region = [[South East England]]
| established_date = {{ubl|1974|([[Local Government Act 1972]])}}
| established_by =
| preceded_by =
| origin =
| lord_lieutenant_office = Lord Lieutenant of East Sussex
| lord_lieutenant_name = Andrew Blackman CStJ (2021–)<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.east-sussex-lieutenancy.org.uk/about-us/about-the-lord-lieutenant |title=About the Lord Lieutenant – Personal Profile |publisher=Lieutenancy of East Sussex |access-date=3 March 2024 |archive-date=3 March 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240303120747/https://www.east-sussex-lieutenancy.org.uk/about-us/about-the-lord-lieutenant |url-status=live }}</ref>
| high_sheriff_office = High Sheriff of East Sussex
| high_sheriff_name = Richard Bickersteth<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.east-sussex-lieutenancy.org.uk/about-us/high-sheriff |title=High Sheriff |publisher=Lieutenancy of East Sussex |access-date=3 March 2024 |archive-date=3 March 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240303120747/https://www.east-sussex-lieutenancy.org.uk/about-us/high-sheriff |url-status=live }}</ref> (2023–24)
| area_total_km2 = 1792
| area_total_rank = 33rd
| ethnicity = {{ubl|97.7% White|1.0% S. Asian}}
| county_council = [[East Sussex County Council]]
| unitary_council =
| unitary_council1 =
| government =
| joint_committees =
| admin_hq = [[Lewes]]
| area_council_km2 = 1709
| area_council_rank = 30th
| iso_code = GB-ESX
| gss_code = E10000011
| nuts_code = TLJ22
| districts_map = [[File:East Sussex numbered districts.svg|200px]]<br />{{Colorsample|#FEFE77}} Unitary {{Colorsample|#FEC1E9}} County council area
| districts_key =
| districts_list =
#[[Brighton and Hove]]
#[[Lewes District|Lewes]]
#[[Wealden District|Wealden]]
#[[Eastbourne]]
#[[Rother District|Rother]]
#[[Hastings]]
| MPs = [[List of parliamentary constituencies in East Sussex|9 MPs]]
| police =
| website = {{URL|https://eastsussex.gov.uk}}
}}
'''East Sussex''' is a [[Ceremonial counties of England|ceremonial county]] in [[South East England]]. It is bordered by [[Kent]] to the north-east, [[West Sussex]] to the west, [[Surrey]] to the north-west, and the [[English Channel]] to the south. The largest settlement is the city of [[Brighton and Hove]], and the county town is [[Lewes]].
The county has an area of {{Convert|1792|km2|sqmi|abbr=on}} and a population of 822,947.<ref>{{Cite web |title=East Sussex County |url=https://www.nomisweb.co.uk/sources/census_2021/report?compare=E10000011 |access-date=4 December 2023 |website=Nomis |archive-date=23 June 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230623054509/https://www.nomisweb.co.uk/sources/census_2021/report?compare=E10000011 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Brighton and Hove Local Authority |url=https://www.nomisweb.co.uk/sources/census_2021/report?compare=E06000043 |access-date=4 December 2023 |website=Nomis |archive-date=5 December 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231205023106/https://www.nomisweb.co.uk/sources/census_2021/report?compare=E06000043 |url-status=live }}</ref> The latter is largely concentrated along the coast, where the largest settlements are located: Brighton and Hove (277,105), [[Eastbourne]] (99,180), and [[Hastings]] (91,490).<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |title=Towns and cities, characteristics of built-up areas, England and Wales – Office for National Statistics |url=https://www.ons.gov.uk/peoplepopulationandcommunity/housing/articles/townsandcitiescharacteristicsofbuiltupareasenglandandwales/census2021 |access-date=4 December 2023 |website=www.ons.gov.uk |archive-date=21 November 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231121221510/https://www.ons.gov.uk/peoplepopulationandcommunity/housing/articles/townsandcitiescharacteristicsofbuiltupareasenglandandwales/census2021 |url-status=live }}</ref> The centre and north of the county are largely rural, and the largest settlement is [[Crowborough]] (21,990).<ref name=":0" /> For [[Local government in England|local government]] purposes, East Sussex comprises a [[non-metropolitan county]], with five districts, and the [[Unitary authorities of England|unitary authority]] area of Brighton and Hove. East Sussex and West Sussex [[Historic counties of England|historically]] formed a single county, [[Sussex]].
The northeast of East Sussex is part of the [[Weald]], a [[sandstone]] [[anticline]] that was once an extensive woodland. The highest point in this area is Crowborough Hill ({{Convert|242|m|ft|abbr=on}}), part of the High Weald uplands. The south-west of the county is part of the [[South Downs]], a rolling [[chalk]] [[escarpment]] that stretches west into West Sussex and Hampshire. [[Ditchling Beacon]] ({{Convert|248|m|ft|abbr=on}}) is the highest point. Where the downs reach the sea, they form high cliffs such as the [[Seven Sisters, East Sussex|Seven Sisters]], where eroded [[dry valley]]s create an undulating skyline.<ref>{{Cite web |title=East Sussex {{!}} Coastal Towns, Beaches, South Downs |url=https://www.britannica.com/place/East-Sussex |access-date=24 July 2023 |website=Britannica |language=en |archive-date=24 July 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230724143943/https://www.britannica.com/place/East-Sussex |url-status=live }}</ref> The county does not contain large rivers, but its largest are the [[River Rother, East Sussex|Rother]], which forms part of the boundary with Kent, the [[River Cuckmere|Cuckmere]], and the [[River Ouse, Sussex|Ouse]], which rises in West Sussex and flows through [[Lewes]] before reaching the English Channel at [[Newhaven, East Sussex|Newhaven]].<ref>{{Cite EB1911 |wstitle= Sussex |volume= 26 |pages=165–168 |short=1}}</ref>
==History==
{{Main|History of Sussex}}
East Sussex is part of the [[Historic counties of England|historic county]] of [[Sussex]], which has its roots in the ancient [[kingdom of Sussex|kingdom of the South Saxons]], who established themselves there in the 5th century AD, after the departure of the [[Ancient Rome|Romans]]. Archaeological remains are plentiful, especially in the upland areas. The area's position on the coast has also meant that there were many invaders, including the Romans and later the [[Normans]], following the defeat of the English army by [[William the Conqueror]] at the [[Battle of Hastings]] in 1066.<ref>{{cite web |title=Battle of Hastings |url=https://www.britannica.com/event/Battle-of-Hastings |website=Encyclopædia Britannica |access-date=4 December 2023 |archive-date=29 November 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231129163727/https://www.britannica.com/event/Battle-of-Hastings |url-status=live }}</ref> Earlier industries included fishing, iron-making, and the wool trade, all of which have declined or been lost completely.
==Governance==
{{main|East Sussex County Council}}
{{Further|History of local government in Sussex}}
[[File:County Hall, Lewes - geograph.org.uk - 896752.jpg|thumb|left|County Hall, [[Lewes]]]]
[[Sussex]] was historically sub-divided into six [[Rape (county subdivision)|rapes]]. From the 12th century the three eastern rapes together and the three western rapes together had separate [[quarter sessions]], with the [[county town]] of the three eastern rapes being [[Lewes]].<ref>[http://www.westsussex.gov.uk/newsroom/CONNECTIONS_12%20.pdf Connections] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130525062727/http://www.westsussex.gov.uk/newsroom/CONNECTIONS_12%20.pdf |date=25 May 2013 }} West Sussex</ref> This situation was formalised by Parliament in 1865, and the two parts were made into [[administrative counties]], each with its own elected [[county council]] in 1889 under the [[Local Government Act 1888]]. In East Sussex there were also three self-administered [[county borough]]s: [[County Borough of Brighton|Brighton]], [[County Borough of Eastbourne|Eastbourne]] and [[County Borough of Hastings|Hastings]].
[[File:Arms of the East Sussex County Council.svg|left|thumb|100px|Arms of East Sussex County Council]]
Upon its foundation, East Sussex included the south of [[Royal Tunbridge Wells|Tunbridge Wells]] and the south of [[Lamberhurst]]; by the [[Local Government Act 1894]] these areas were transferred to [[Kent]].
In 1974 East Sussex was made a [[non-metropolitan county|non-metropolitan]] and [[Ceremonial counties of England|ceremonial county]], and the three county boroughs became districts within the county. At the same time the western boundary was altered, so that the [[Mid Sussex District|Mid Sussex]] region (including [[Burgess Hill]] and [[Haywards Heath]]) was transferred to the non metropolitan county of [[West Sussex]]. In 1997, [[Brighton and Hove]] became a self-administered [[unitary authority]]; it was granted [[City status in the United Kingdom|city status]] in 2000, whilst remaining part of the ceremonial county of East Sussex.
The area of East Sussex County Council's jurisdiction is divided into five [[non-metropolitan district|local government districts]]. Three are large rural districts (from west to east): [[Lewes (district)|Lewes]], [[Wealden District|Wealden]], and [[Rother District|Rother]]. [[Eastbourne]] and [[Hastings]] are mainly urban areas. The rural districts are further subdivided into [[civil parishes in England|civil parish]]es.<ref>See [[List of civil parishes in East Sussex]]</ref>
==Geography==
===Geology===
{{main|Geology of East Sussex}}
[[File:Seven Sisters 3.jpg|thumb|upright|[[Beachy Head]] and [[Belle Tout Lighthouse]], [[Eastbourne]], East Sussex]]
Geologically, East Sussex is part of southern [[anticline]] of the [[Weald]]: the [[South Downs]], a range of moderate [[chalk]] hills which run across the southern part of the county from west to east and mirrored in [[Kent]] by the [[North Downs]]. To the north lie parallel valleys and ridges, the highest of which is the Weald itself (the Hastings beds and Wealden Clay). The sandstones and clays meet the sea at Hastings; the Downs, at [[Beachy Head]]. The area contains significant reserves of shale oil, totalling 4.4 billion [[Barrel (unit)|barrels of oil]] in the Wealden basin according to a 2014 study, which then Business and Energy Minister [[Michael Fallon]] said "will bring jobs and business opportunities" and significantly help with UK energy self-sufficiency. [[Hydraulic fracturing in the United Kingdom|Fracking]] in the area is required to achieve these objectives, which has been opposed by environmental groups.<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.standard.co.uk/news/uk/massive-oil-reserves-lie-under-commuter-belt-in-south-says-report-9424232.html|title=Massive oil reserves lie under commuter belt in South, says report|last=Prynn|first=Jonathan|date=23 May 2014|work=[[London Evening Standard]]|page=8 |access-date=26 November 2018 |archive-date=27 November 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181127022608/https://www.standard.co.uk/news/uk/massive-oil-reserves-lie-under-commuter-belt-in-south-says-report-9424232.html |url-status=live}}</ref>
{{See also|List of hills of East Sussex}}
===Climate===
East Sussex, like most counties by the south coast, has an annual average total of around 1,750<ref name="Englandclimate">{{cite web |url=http://www.metoffice.gov.uk/climate/uk/___location/england/index.html |title=Met Office:English Climate |access-date=4 August 2007 |publisher= Met Office |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070525051524/http://www.metoffice.gov.uk/climate/uk/___location/england/index.html <!-- Bot retrieved archive --> |archive-date=25 May 2007}}</ref> hours of sunshine per year. This is much higher than the UK's average of about 1,340 hours of sunshine a year.
===Relief and drainage===
The relief of the county reflects the geology.
The [[chalk]] uplands of the [[South Downs]] occupies the coastal strip between Brighton and Eastbourne. There are two river gaps: the [[River Ouse, Sussex|Rivers Ouse]] and [[River Cuckmere|Cuckmere]]. The [[Seven Sisters, Sussex|Seven Sisters]], where the Downs meet the sea, are the remnants of dry valleys cut into the chalk; they end at [[Beachy Head]], 530 feet (162 m) above sea level. To the east of Beachy Head lie the marshlands of the [[Pevensey]] Levels, formerly flooded by the sea but now enclosed within a deposited beach. At [[Bexhill-on-Sea|Bexhill]] the land begins to rise again where the sands and clays of the Weald meet the sea; these culminate in the sandstone cliffs east of Hastings. Further east are the [[Pett]] Levels, more marshland, beyond which is the estuary of the [[River Rother (Eastern)|River Rother]]. On the far side of the estuary are the [[dune]]s of [[Camber Sands]]. The highest point in the county is [[Ditchling Beacon]] on the South Downs, which has a maximum elevation of {{cvt|248|m|ft}}<ref>{{cite book |last= Bathurst |first= David |year= 2012 |title= Walking the county high points of England |___location= Chichester |publisher= Summersdale |isbn= 978-1-84-953239-6 |pages= 69–75}}</ref> and is classed as a [[Marilyn (hill)|Marilyn]].
The [[Weald]] occupies the northern borderlands of the county. Between the Downs and Weald is a narrow stretch of lower lying land; many of the rivers and streams occupying this area originate in the Weald. The High Weald is heavily wooded in contrast to the South Downs; the Low Weald less so. Part of the Weald is the [[Ashdown Forest]].
===Settlements===
{{see also|List of places in East Sussex|List of settlements in East Sussex by population}}
The ___location of settlements in East Sussex has been determined both by its history and its geography. The original towns and villages tended to be where its economy lay: fishing along the coast and agriculture and iron mining on the Weald. Industry today tends to be geared towards tourism, particularly along the coastal strip where towns such as [[Bexhill-on-Sea]], [[Eastbourne]], and [[Hastings]] are located. [[Newhaven, East Sussex|Newhaven]] and [[Rye, East Sussex|Rye]] are ports, although the latter is also of historical importance. [[Peacehaven]] and [[Seaford, East Sussex|Seaford]] serve as [[dormitory town]]s. Away from the coast are former market towns such as [[Hailsham]], [[Heathfield, East Sussex|Heathfield]] and [[Uckfield]]; [[Crowborough]] is a centre for the Ashdown Forest. [[Lewes]], the [[County town]] of East Sussex; [[Battle, East Sussex|Battle]], with its [[Norman Conquest]] beginnings, and [[Wadhurst]] are the other three towns of significance.
==Economy and demography==
{{update section|date=September 2020}}
This is a chart of trend of regional gross value added of the [[non-metropolitan county]] of East Sussex ([[Brighton & Hove]] has a separate table) at current basic prices [http://www.statistics.gov.uk/downloads/theme_economy/RegionalGVA.pdf published] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110804183505/http://www.statistics.gov.uk/downloads/theme_economy/RegionalGVA.pdf |date=4 August 2011 }} (pp. 240–253) by ''Office for National Statistics'' with figures in millions of pounds.
{| class="wikitable"
|-
! Year || Regional Gross<br>Value Added<ref>Components may not sum to totals due to rounding</ref> || Agriculture<ref>includes hunting and forestry</ref> || Industry<ref>includes energy and construction</ref> || Services<ref>includes financial intermediation services indirectly measured</ref>
|-
| 1995 || '''4,359''' || 84 || 1,053 || 3,222
|-
| 2000 || '''4,953''' || 54 || 1,155 || 3,744
|-
| 2003 || '''5,326''' || 69 || 1,252 || 4,004
|}
{| class="wikitable"
|+ Claimants of Jobseeker's Allowance or Income Support ([[Department for Work and Pensions|DWP]])<ref name=ons>[http://neighbourhood.statistics.gov.uk Key Statistics: Population; Quick Statistics: Economic indicators] {{Webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20030211201309/http://www.neighbourhood.statistics.gov.uk/ |date=11 February 2003 }}. ([[United Kingdom Census 2011|2011 census]] and [[United Kingdom Census 2001|2001 census]]) Retrieved 27 February 2015.</ref>
!Area||August 2012||August 2001||Population<br>(April 2011)
|-
|East Sussex||18,790||34,335||526,671
|-
|% of 2011 resident population<br>(2001 population where applicable)<br>{{clarify|date=March 2020}}||3.6% || 7.0% ||–
|-
|[[Hastings]]||6.7% ||12.1% ||90,254
|-
|[[Eastbourne]]||4.3%||8.2%||99,412
|-
|[[Rother District|Rother]]||3.1%||6.5% ||90,588
|-
|[[Lewes District|Lewes]]||3.0%||5.7%||97,502
|-
|[[Wealden District|Wealden]]||1.8%||4.2%||148,915
|}
===Economic activities===
Measured by the number of registered companies, East Sussex is not a major manufacturing or industrial area of the United Kingdom. Of the companies registered, the leading category in 2023 was "construction", followed by "real estate activities".<ref>{{cite web |title=Companies in East Sussex |url=https://sparklines.co.uk/east-sussex |website=SparkLines |access-date=5 December 2023 |archive-date=5 December 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231205183212/https://sparklines.co.uk/east-sussex |url-status=live }}</ref> An important contribution to the county's economy comes from the fact that many residents of Brighton and Hove, Eastbourne and Hastings commute to London or [[Remote work|work remotely]] for companies outside the county.<ref>{{cite web |title=Horsham and Reading show over 218% rise in commuting to London |url=https://thebusinessmagazine.co.uk/companies/horsham-and-reading-show-over-218-rise-in-commuting-to-london/ |website=the business magazine |date=July 2021 |access-date=4 December 2023 |archive-date=5 December 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231205023052/https://thebusinessmagazine.co.uk/companies/horsham-and-reading-show-over-218-rise-in-commuting-to-london/ |url-status=live }}</ref>
There were 1,720 agricultural holdings in East Sussex (excluding Brighton and Hove) in 2022, with a total farmed area of 108,825 hectares. They employed just over 4000 people and, in 2020, produced a gross value added of £66 million. Livestock grazing accounts for almost 40% of the farmed area, with there being approximately six times as many sheep as cattle.<ref>{{cite web |title=Agriculture in Sussex |url=https://researchbriefings.files.parliament.uk/documents/CDP-2022-0175/CDP-2022-0175.pdf |website=House of Commons Library |access-date=6 December 2023}}</ref> Fishing is limited but there are still fishing fleets, notably at Rye and Hastings, although the number of boats is much reduced. Historically, the fisheries were of great importance.
==Landmarks==
[[File:MermaidStreet.jpg|upright|thumb|Mermaid Street in [[Rye, East Sussex|Rye]] showing typically steep slope and cobbled surface]]
The [[Seven Sisters, Sussex|Seven Sisters]] Park is part of the [[South Downs National Park]]. [[Beachy Head]] is one of the most famed local attractions, along with the flats along [[Normans Bay]].
Apart from the physical landmarks such as the Downs and the Weald, East Sussex has a great many landmarks of historical interest. There are castles at [[Bodiam Castle|Bodiam]], [[Herstmonceux]], [[Lewes Castle|Lewes]] and [[Pevensey Castle|Pevensey]]; and defence works such as the [[Martello towers]] and [[Eastbourne Redoubt]].<ref>[http://www.eastbournemuseums.co.uk/ Eastbourne Redoubt Fortress Military Museum] {{Webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110618163222/http://www.eastbournemuseums.co.uk/ |date=18 June 2011 }} Eastbourne Redoubt is the home of the Royal Sussex Regimental Museum</ref> [[Battle Abbey]], built to commemorate the [[Battle of Hastings]]; [[Bateman's]], home of [[Rudyard Kipling]]; [[Hammerwood Park]], one of the first examples of [[Greek Revival architecture]] in the UK; and the [[University of Sussex]] buildings at [[Falmer]] are among interesting buildings. [[Bexhill-on-Sea]] is also home to the [[De La Warr Pavilion]]. East Sussex also includes two chalk [[hill figure]]s, being the [[Litlington White Horse]] and the [[Long Man of Wilmington]], which are both situated in the [[Sussex Downs]].
[[File:Litlington White Horse.jpg|thumb|The [[Litlington White Horse]] in the village of [[Litlington, East Sussex|Litlington]]]]
==Transport==
===Roads===
[[Image:Rpp 010.jpg|thumb|The A23, one of the major North-South routes.]]
East Sussex has no motorways, and even dual carriageways are sparse in the county. The main roads through the county are those part of the radial pattern from London: the [[A21 road (England)|A21]] from [[Kent]] to Hastings; the [[A22 road|A22]] from Surrey to Eastbourne; and the [[A23 road|A23]] from Gatwick to Brighton. Cross-country routes include the [[A26 road|A26]] which carries traffic from Newhaven and Lewes north into Kent; and the south coast trunk route, which starts in [[Folkestone]] (Kent) as the [[A259 road|A259 trunk road]], and traverses the south coast to [[Eastbourne]], where it becomes the [[A27 road|A27 trunk road]] and heads westwards towards [[Chichester]] in West Sussex and ultimately to [[Honiton]] in Devon. All the main roads suffer from congestion and traffic problems: the A27 which connects Eastbourne to [[Portsmouth]] is one of the busiest trunk roads in the UK.{{citation needed|date=July 2023}}
Bus routes serve all the main areas of settlement and many of the villages in the county.
===Railways===
The railways serve the main towns in a similar fashion to the roads. Until the closures of many branch railways in the 20th century, rural East Sussex was well-served by rail: few such branch lines escaped the [[Beeching cuts]] so that today only main-line services remain. They include the [[East Coastway Line]] (including the [[Marshlink Line]]); the [[Hastings line]]; and the Uckfield branch of the [[Oxted Line]]. There are three [[heritage railway]]s: the [[Kent and East Sussex Railway]] operates from [[Tenterden]] in Kent to [[Bodiam]]; the [[Bluebell Railway]] from [[Sheffield Park railway station|Sheffield Park]] to [[East Grinstead railway station|East Grinstead]]; and the [[Lavender Line|Lavender Line Steam Railway]] is a one-mile line at [[Isfield railway station|Isfield]], near [[Uckfield]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Heritage railways, steam railways and railway museums in South East |url=https://railtracks.uk/south-east |website=Railtracks |access-date=4 December 2023 |archive-date=29 October 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231029201046/https://railtracks.uk/south-east |url-status=live }}</ref>
Trains in the county are operated by [[Southern (train operating company)|Southern]], [[Southeastern (train operating company)|Southeastern]], [[Govia Thameslink Railway|Thameslink]] and [[Great Western Railway (train operating company)|Great Western Railway]]. Southern is the key operator for the county, operating services along the West Coastway and East Coastway routes, as well as trains from [[Brighton railway station|Brighton]], [[Eastbourne railway station|Eastbourne]], [[Seaford railway station (England)|Seaford]] and [[Hastings railway station|Hastings]] to [[London Victoria railway station|London Victoria]], and to a lesser extent [[London Bridge railway station|London Bridge]], which is also where trains to/from [[Uckfield railway station|Uckfield]] go. Southeastern operate trains from [[Charing Cross railway station|London Charing Cross]] to Hastings. Thameslink operate trains from Brighton to [[Bedford railway station|Bedford]].
===Airports===
There are no airports offering scheduled flights in East Sussex. London's second airport, [[Gatwick Airport]], is a short distance from East Sussex and easily accessible by road and rail from most of the county. Despite its name, [[Brighton City Airport]], the former Shoreham Airport, is in West Sussex. Three airfields service [[general aviation]], helicopters and flying schools: Spilsted Farm near Hastings;<ref>{{cite web |title=Spilsted Farm Airfield |url=https://www.cristalair.co.uk/spilstedfarm-airfield |website=Cristal Air |access-date=4 December 2023 |archive-date=2 July 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220702225213/https://www.cristalair.co.uk/spilstedfarm-airfield |url-status=live }}</ref> Kittyhawk Aerodrome near Lewes;<ref>{{cite web |title=Kittyhawk Aerodrome |url=https://kittyhawk.farm/ |website=Kittyhawk Farm |access-date=4 December 2023 |archive-date=23 September 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230923201520/https://kittyhawk.farm/ |url-status=live }}</ref>, and [[RAF Deanland|Deanland Airfield]], also near Lewes.<ref>{{cite web |title=Deanland Airfield |url=https://www.deanland-airfield.co.uk/ |website=Deanland Airfield |access-date=4 December 2023 |archive-date=22 September 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230922235847/https://www.deanland-airfield.co.uk/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Sussex Gliding Club operate from Kitsons field at The Broyle on the outskirts of Ringmer.<ref>{{cite web |title=East Sussex Gliding Club |url=https://www.sussexgliding.co.uk/ |website=East Sussex Gliding Club |access-date=17 June 2025 }}</ref>
===Ferries===
A ferry operates from [[Newhaven, East Sussex|Newhaven]] to [[Dieppe]] in France twice daily in the off-season and three times daily in the summer. Both vehicles and foot passengers are accepted.<ref>{{cite web |title=Ferries to France |url=https://www.dfds.com/en-gb/passenger-ferries/ferry-crossings/ferries-to-france |website=DFDS |access-date=6 December 2023 |archive-date=7 December 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231207180457/https://www.dfds.com/en-gb/passenger-ferries/ferry-crossings/ferries-to-france |url-status=live }}</ref>
===Footpaths===
{{see also|Recreational walks in East Sussex}}
Among the [[long-distance footpaths]] in East Sussex are the [[South Downs Way]]; [[1066 Country Walk]], [[High Weald Landscape Trail]], [[Saxon Shore Way]], [[Sussex Border Path]], [[Sussex Ouse Valley Way]], [[Vanguard Way]], [[Wealdway]] and [[The Monarch's Way]].
==Education==
{{Main|List of schools in East Sussex}}
The Universities of [[University of Sussex|Sussex]] and [[University of Brighton|Brighton]] are based in East Sussex, with facilities in [[Brighton]], [[Falmer]] and [[University Centre Hastings|Hastings]].
Over 150 primary schools serve the area; many of them small and local in scope.
State and independent secondary schools include [[Lewes Old Grammar School]], which celebrated its 500th anniversary in 2012. Overall, more than 50 serve East Sussex, including further education colleges in larger towns.
A number of independent boarding schools that also cater to day students are located in the county, including [[Brighton College]] and [[Roedean School|Roedean]]. The [[Johann Heinrich Pestalozzi|Pestalozzi]] Children's Village, an international foundation, is located at [[Sedlescombe]].
==Culture==
[[File:Glyndebourne 4 (cropped).jpg|thumb|Theatre at Glyndebourne]]
East Sussex has many theatres and performance venues, including the [[Theatre Royal, Brighton|Theatre Royal]] in Brighton and the [[Brighton Dome]], the [[Attenborough Centre for the Creative Arts]] at the University of Sussex, the [[Royal Hippodrome Theatre]] and [[Devonshire Park Theatre]] in Eastbourne, and the [[White Rock Theatre]] in Hastings. The annual [[Glyndebourne Festival Opera]] takes place at [[Glyndebourne]] near Lewes. The [[Brighton Festival]] is a large multi-arts festival held every May.
There is a wide range of museums and art galleries in East Sussex. Notable amongst these are the [[Brighton Museum & Art Gallery]]; the [[Hove Museum of Creativity]]; the [[Hastings Museum and Art Gallery]]; [[Hastings Contemporary]]; [[Charleston Farmhouse]] near Lewes, with an exhibition devoted to the artistic work of the [[Bloomsbury Group]]; the De La Warr Pavilion in Bexhill-on-Sea, which houses a contemporary art gallery; and the [[Towner Eastbourne]] gallery, which celebrated its centenary in 2023 and hosted the award ceremony for the [[Turner Prize]] on 5 December of that year.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Seymour |first1=Tom |title=British artist Jesse Darling wins 2023 Turner Prize |url=https://www.theartnewspaper.com/2023/12/05/british-artist-jesse-darling-wins-2023-turner-prize |website=The Art Newspaper |date=5 December 2023 |access-date=5 December 2023 |archive-date=5 December 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231205210746/https://www.theartnewspaper.com/2023/12/05/british-artist-jesse-darling-wins-2023-turner-prize |url-status=live }}</ref>
==Tourism==
[[File:Brighton royal pavilion Qmin.jpg|thumb|The Royal Pavilion]]
The coastal towns of Brighton and Hove, Bexhill-on-Sea, Hastings and Eastbourne attract many day trippers during the summer to visit the beaches. Brighton and Hove have a range of attractions including the [[Royal Pavilion]]. Beginning in 1787, it was built in three stages as a seaside retreat for [[George IV of the United Kingdom|George, Prince of Wales]], who became King George IV in 1820. A more recent attraction is the [[Brighton i360]], a 162 m observation tower on the seafront, which opened on 4 August 2016 to provide extensive views over Brighton and Hove, the South Downs and the [[English Channel]]. The tower has never achieved forecast visitor numbers and in June 2023 the company operating it owed Brighton and Hove Council £48 million.<ref>{{Cite web |title='Range of options' on table after latest £900k loan default by i360 |url=https://www.theargus.co.uk/news/23234697.range-options-table-brighton-i360-loan-default/ |website=The Argus|date=7 January 2023 |access-date=6 December 2023}}</ref>
[[Brighton Palace Pier]], [[Eastbourne Pier]] and [[Hastings Pier]] serve as entertainment centres that attract many visitors. Several other piers built in the heyday of day tripper visits by train no longer exist, including [[St Leonards Pier]], in [[St Leonards-on-Sea]], and the [[West Pier]] in Brighton, parts of which can still be seen in the sea opposite the Brighton i360. Originally, the profits from the i360 were seen as a potential source of funds to rebuild the West Pier, but that now seems unlikely.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.gazetteseries.co.uk/news/14722899.West_Pier_s_150th_birthday_to_be_celebrated_in_style/|title=West Pier's 150th birthday to be celebrated in style|newspaper=Brighton Argus & Gazette|date=5 September 2016|access-date=6 December 2023|archive-date=19 July 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180719024415/http://www.gazetteseries.co.uk/news/14722899.West_Pier_s_150th_birthday_to_be_celebrated_in_style/|url-status=live}}</ref>
Other important tourist attractions within East Sussex include [[Ashdown Forest]], [[Drusillas Zoo Park]] near [[Alfriston]] and [[Michelham Priory]]. The county has two narrow-gauge railways, the [[Hastings Miniature Railway]], which is powered by a steam locomotive, and [[Volk's Electric Railway]], which runs from Brighton's Palace Pier to [[Brighton Marina]] along the seafront. Volk's is the oldest operational electric railway in the world. There are also several castles that attract many visitors, as indicated in the Landmarks section above.
[[File:De Dion-Bouton 6 CV 1903 at Veteran car run 2012, Madeira Drive - geograph.org.uk - 3221426.jpg|thumb|A 1903 De Dion-Bouton arrives in Brighton in the 2012 Veteran Car Run]]
Annual events also promote tourism to the county. [[Brighton Pride]] is one of the UK's largest and oldest [[pride parade]]s and other pride events take place at Eastbourne and Hastings.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://eastbournepride.org/|title=Eastbourne Pride 2024|publisher=Eastbourne Pride|accessdate=6 December 2023|archive-date=7 December 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231207180340/https://eastbournepride.org/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://hastingspride.org.uk/|title=Hastings Pride 27th August 2023|publisher=Hastings Pride|access-date=6 December 2023|archive-date=6 December 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231206172642/https://hastingspride.org.uk/|url-status=live}}</ref> The London to Brighton Veteran Car Run is the world's longest-running motoring event. To qualify, cars must have been built before 1905. It is also the world's largest gathering of veteran cars. The race finishes on [[Madeira Terrace|Madeira Drive]] in Brighton.<ref>{{cite web |title=London to Brighton Veteran Car Run 2023 |url=https://www.veterancarrun.com/ |website=Royal Automobile Club |access-date=6 December 2023 |archive-date=8 December 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231208191028/https://www.veterancarrun.com/ |url-status=live }}</ref>
For visitors who wish to explore East Sussex by car, there are many attractive towns and villages, such as [[Alfriston]]; [[Battle, East Sussex|Battle]], site of the Battle of Hastings; [[Ditchling]]; [[Herstmonceux]], with the castle of the same name; Lewes; [[Rottingdean]]; and [[Rye, East Sussex|Rye]].
==Traditions==
The [[Lewes Bonfire]] is a set of bonfire celebrations held on [[Guy Fawkes Night]], which both celebrates the uncovering of the [[Gunpowder Plot]] in 1605 and commemorates the memory of the [[Lewes Martyrs|seventeen Protestant martyrs]] from [[Mayfield and Five Ashes|Mayfield]] burned at the stake between 1555 and 1557. It has a history of religious antagonism and anti-popery, including the burning of an effigy of the [[Pope]]. The event attracts tens of thousands of spectators every year. There are also many other [[Sussex Bonfire Societies|bonfire societies]] in East Sussex.<ref>{{cite web |title=The History of Lewes: The Biggest Bonfire Night Celebration in the UK |url=https://www.history.co.uk/articles/lewes-and-the-sussex-bonfire-season |website=Sky History |access-date=4 December 2023 |archive-date=14 November 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221114205945/https://www.history.co.uk/articles/lewes-and-the-sussex-bonfire-season |url-status=live }}</ref>
==Sport==
===Football===
[[File:The Dripping Pan.jpg|thumb|The Dripping Pan, home of Lewes FC men's and women's teams]]
[[Brighton & Hove Albion F.C.]] is the most successful club in East Sussex, playing in the [[Premier League]] in 2024–25 and also competing in the [[2023–24 UEFA Europa League]]. It has appeared once in the [[1983 FA Cup final|FA Cup final]], in 1983, losing to Manchester United after a replay. It is the only fully professional men's team in the county. The oldest club in East Sussex is [[Eastbourne Town F.C.]], which was founded in 1881. [[Lewes F.C.]] is a semi-professional football club. The men's first team is in the [[Isthmian League]] Premier Division. It also has a [[Lewes F.C. Women|successful women's team]], which in 2023–24 was competing in the second-tier [[Women's Championship (England)|Women's Championship]] against teams supported by much larger clubs, including some with their men's team in the Premier League.<ref>{{cite web |title=Lewes Women – Fixtures and Results |url=https://www.footballwebpages.co.uk/lewes-women/fixtures-results |website=Football Web Pages |access-date=4 December 2023 |archive-date=11 August 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220811082441/https://www.footballwebpages.co.uk/lewes-women/fixtures-results |url-status=live }}</ref>
===Cricket===
Cricket had its [[History of cricket to 1725|origins]] in the counties of [[Kent]], [[Surrey]] and Sussex. There is no team representing East Sussex. It combines with West Sussex as the [[Sussex County Cricket Club]], playing first-team matches at the [[County Cricket Ground, Hove|County Ground]] in Hove and reserve-team matches in both East and West Sussex. There are around 25 local clubs playing the game in East Sussex.<ref>{{cite web |title=Cricket clubs in East Sussex |url=http://www.eastsussex.org/sport/cricket-clubs.shtml |website=East Sussex.org |access-date=5 December 2023 |archive-date=5 December 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231205123028/http://www.eastsussex.org/sport/cricket-clubs.shtml |url-status=live }}</ref>
===Rugby===
There are around 15 rugby clubs in East Sussex, with many of them fielding several teams including women's and girls' teams. [[Seaford RFC|Seaford Rugby Club]] claims the distinction of playing its home games below sea level.<ref>{{cite web |title=Rugby in East Sussex |url=http://www.eastsussex.org/sport/rugby.shtml |website=East Sussex.org |access-date=5 December 2023}}</ref>
===Cycling===
The fourth stage of the [[1994 Tour de France]] ended in Brighton after departing from [[Dover]]. The route included a climb over Ditchling Beacon.<ref>{{cite web |last1=James |first1=Ben |title=Spectacle over in a flash |url=https://www.theargus.co.uk/news/11475723.spectacle-over-in-a-flash/ |website=Evening Argus |date=16 September 2014 |access-date=5 December 2023 |archive-date=5 December 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231205123636/https://www.theargus.co.uk/news/11475723.spectacle-over-in-a-flash/ |url-status=live }}</ref> The hilly nature of the Downs presents a good challenge for cyclists and there are at least eight cycling clubs in East Sussex.<ref>{{cite web |title=Cycling in East Sussex |url=http://www.eastsussex.org/sport/cycling.shtml |website=East Sussex.org |access-date=5 December 2023 |archive-date=5 December 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231205122717/http://www.eastsussex.org/sport/cycling.shtml |url-status=live }}</ref>
===Golf===
There are 42 golf courses in East Sussex, many on downland. Four of these (2 in Brighton and Hove, one in Eastbourne and one in Crowborough) are public courses; the remainder private, semi-private or resorts.<ref>{{cite web |title=East Sussex Golf Guide |url=https://www.golfpass.com/travel-advisor/course-directory/11428-east-sussex/ |website=Golf Pass |access-date=5 December 2023 |archive-date=5 December 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231205175752/https://www.golfpass.com/travel-advisor/course-directory/11428-east-sussex/ |url-status=live }}</ref>
===Other sports===
Other popular sports include sailing, [[bowls]], [[stoolball]], and tennis.
==See also==
{{portal|Geography|England|South East England|East Sussex}}
*''[[Outline of England]]''
*[[Coat of arms of Sussex|Historic coats of arms of East Sussex County Council]]
*[[History of local government in Sussex]]
*[[High Sheriff of East Sussex|List of High Sheriffs of East Sussex]]
*[[List of hills of East Sussex]]
*[[The Keep, Brighton|The Keep]]: the county's [[archive]] and record office, near [[Falmer]]
*[[Lord Lieutenant of East Sussex|List of Lord Lieutenants of East Sussex]]
*[[Healthcare in Sussex]]
==References==
{{Reflist}}
==External links==
{{Wikivoyage|East Sussex}}
*[http://viewfinder.english-heritage.org.uk/search/results.aspx?index=0&mainQuery=&searchType=all&form=basic&theme=&county=EAST%20SUSSEX&district=&placeName= Images of East Sussex] at the [[English Heritage Archive]]
* [http://www.eastsussexww1.org.uk/ WW1 East Sussex], Sussex County Council
* [https://www.genuki.org.uk/big/eng/SSX Further historical information and sources on GENUKI]
{{Geographic Location
|title = '''Neighbouring counties'''
|Centre = East Sussex
|North = [[Kent]]
|Northeast = [[Kent]]
|East = ''[[English Channel]]''
|Southeast = ''[[English Channel]]''
|South = ''[[English Channel]]''
|Southwest = ''[[English Channel]]''
|West = [[West Sussex]]
|Northwest = [[Surrey]]
}}
{{East Sussex1}}
{{Sussex}}
{{SE_England}}
{{England_counties}}
{{Authority control}}
[[Category:East Sussex| ]]
[[Category:Counties of England established in 1974]]
[[Category:Non-metropolitan counties]]
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