Beaches and countryside might get plenty of attention in West Sussex, but some of the best places to slow down are right in the heart of our towns and villages.
Across the Arun district, parks, gardens and green spaces have been recognised with Green Flag Awards, the international quality mark for outstanding parks and green spaces. In 2026, Arun celebrated a record 11 Green Flag Awards, giving you even more reason to add a little green space to your Sussex by the Sea visit.
Littlehampton has several award-winning green spaces to discover. Mewsbrook Park combines landscaped parkland with a boating lake, play space and easy access to the seafront, while Norfolk Gardens and Brookfield Park offer more room to pause, play and explore. Marina Gardens is another Green Flag space to add to a wander around the town.
Hotham Park is one of Bognor Regis’s best-known green spaces, set within the former grounds of Hotham Park House, the historic home of the town’s founder, Sir Richard Hotham. Elsewhere, Jubilee Gardens adds another award-winning green space within Bognor Regis.
Old Rectory Gardens in Felpham and Marine Park Gardens in Aldwick show that some of the area’s loveliest green spaces are found just beyond the main town centres. They are ideal for a quiet wander, a pause between coastal stops or simply a little time surrounded by well-kept planting and greenery.
Arundel’s Green Flag spaces add another layer to a town already known for heritage and beautiful surroundings. Jubilee Gardens and Arundel Cemetery have both been recognised, offering visitors more opportunities to appreciate the landscape and history woven through the town.
The Green Flag Award recognises well-managed parks and green spaces. Sites are assessed on areas including how welcoming, safe and well maintained they are, alongside environmental management, biodiversity, heritage and community involvement.
So when you spot a Green Flag while exploring Sussex by the Sea, it is more than an award. It is a sign that the space is being cared for and enjoyed by the communities around it.
Pack a picnic, add a park to a family day out or simply take the scenic route between the coast, town and countryside. These award-winning spaces are another reminder that some of the best discoveries do not need a packed itinerary.
