Best Photography Spots

Cowdray Ruins

The Cowdray ruins was once a grand Tudor mansion until a fire in 1793 destroyed most of the property, only leaving the kitchen intact. Whilst the Castle may not be as grand as it once was, the ruins are really quite a spectacular sight and well worth a visit.

We usually park at the car park by the Cowdray Farm Shop & Café and take the short walk through the estate downs to the ruins. You can’t walk around the ruins, but you can enjoy the view from afar, and get some great photos! You can also pick up a coffee or some local produce from their farm shop and café.

Address: Cowdray Heritage Trust, Visitor Centre, River Ground Stables, Midhurst GU29 9AL

Parking: Cowdray Farm Shop and Cafe, Cowdray Park, Midhurst, West Sussex, GU29 0AJ

Halnaker Windmill & Tree Tunnel

Halnaker is a hamlet a few miles northeast of Chichester and is probably most well known for its beautiful tree tunnel and of course, Halnaker windmill.

This unique tree tunnel is located on Mill lane and makes for the perfect photo, especially in the autumn. Halnaker windmill is a grade II listed building and also makes for a fantastic photo.

The best place to park is the Village Hall car park in Boxgrove, which is free. The Boxgrove Parish Council has kindly marked out the route to the Halnaker windmill (follow the ‘Windmill Trail’ signs) and have provided an 8km circular walk incorporating the Windmill.

Adreess: Halnaker Mill, Denge Lane, Chichester, PO18 0NF

Parking: Boxgrove Village Hall, The Street, Boxgrove, Chichester, PO18 0EE

Ditchling Beacon

Ditchling Beacon is one of the highest points on the South Downs (cyclists will tell you!) and is maintained by the National Trust and the Sussex Wildlife Trust. It was once an Iron Age Fort.

From Ditchling Beacon, there are stunning panoramic views across the Weald and the dew pond is always popular with photographers!

The car park at Ditchling Beacon is very small and is very popular so we recommend either getting the bus which runs on weekends, or parking at Jill windmill at Clayton and walking a few miles over to Ditchling Beacon.

Address: Ditchling Beacon, Ditchling, East Sussex

Parking: Jack and Jill car park, Mill Lane, Clayton

Chichester Harbour

Chichester Harbour is located southwest of the city of Chichester and is home to a number of picturesque harbourside villages, including Bosham, Fishbourne, Birdham and Itchenor. This particular photo we captured at Itchenor one evening.

It is the perfect spot for some nautical themed photography especially at sunset, or you can enjoy a walk that goes from Itchenor to West Wittering past Chichester Harbour.

Parking: Chichester Marina car park, Birdham, West Sussex, PO20 7EG

Seven Sisters

The Seven Sisters chalk cliffs are one of the most iconic views in Sussex, and are located between Seaford and Eastbourne. They are within the South Downs National Park and include the beautiful Beachy Head.

Photographs of the cottages at Cuckmere Haven are some of the most iconic photographs of Sussex around!

Parking: Seven Sisters Country Park, Exceat, Seaford, East Sussex, BN25, 4AD.

Brighton West Pier

The West Pier in Brighton was opened in 1866, and was Britain’s first pier to be grade I listed. However, since its closure in 1975 it has gradually become more derelict, and after a fire in 2003, little of the original structure remains.

The West Pier is popular amongst Sussex photographers and can create some atmospheric photos.

There are plenty of car parks in Brighton, or we usually take the train and head down the hill towards the sea.

Ouse Valley Viaduct

The Ouse Valley Viaduct (sometimes called the Balcombe viaduct), was built in 1838, to enable the London to Brighton train to travel over the River Ouse.

It is a truly magnificent structure, which is why it is so popular with photographers. It can busy on weekends, so you may want to visit at quieter times for the best photos!

There is parking at the Ardingly Reservoir car park, which is free but can get quite busy at popular times. It is a short walk from this cark park (approximately 1km) to the viaduct.

Parking: The Lodge, Ardingly Reservoir, Ardingly, West Sussex, RH17 6SQ

Arundel Castle

Arundel Castle is a stunning building and makes for some impressive photographs.

The gardens are well maintained and is particularly beautiful during the Tulip Festival where over 80,000 tulips come into bloom.

You can normally park for free along Mill Road.

Address: Arundel Castle, Arundel, West Sussex, BN18 9AB

Herstmonceux Castle

Herstmonceux Castle is a beautiful red brick castle located near the village of Herstmonceux in East Sussex. The moated castle is grade II listed and dates back to the 15^th century. As well as the castle, it also has 300 acres of woodland and beautiful gardens, which showcase daffodils, bluebells and tulips in the spring, herb and rose gardens in the summer and a beautiful orchard in the autumn.

Herstmonceux Castle makes for some truly impressive photos!

Address: Herstmonceux Castle, Wartling Road Entrance, Hailsham, East Sussex, BN27 1RN

Long Man of Wilmington

The Long Man of Wilmington is located on the slopes of Windover Hill near Wilmington, just north west of Eastbourne. It is the tallest hill figure of a ‘human’ in Britain at approximately 230 feet tall.

There is free parking at the Wilmington Priory car park.

Parking: Wilmington Priory, The Street, Wilmington, BN26 5SW

Mermaid Street, Rye

Mermaid Street in Rye has to be one of the most picturesque and most photographed street in Sussex! There’s just something about this oldy-worldy street that makes us want to stay here all day!

Bodiam Castle

Bodiam Castle is a stunning 14th-century castle surrounded by a moat in East Sussex and built by Sir Edward Dalyngrigge. While the interior has fallen into disrepair, you can walk around the interior and see where the rooms would have been. The exterior is impressive and a great walk around the castle and over the long bridge into the castle.