Sussex – A hotbed of culture

London may enjoy a global reputation for the sheer range and volume of its arts and culture but only an hour away an English county is giving the cultural capital a run for its money. Sussex – East and West – is a hotbed of culture and rated by those in the know as second only to the capital.

Making the ideal short break for culture vultures, the Sussex summer schedule is crammed with diverse festivals – whether it’s opera at Glyndebourne, drama at the Chichester Festival Theatre, music and art at the Arundel Festival or books at Small Wonder, the UK’s only festival dedicated entirely to the short story. And there are top notch cultural centres to visit across the region, like Bexhill’s De La Warr Pavilion, the UK’s first Modernist public building, as well as the cutting-edge Pallant Gallery in Chichester and nearby, on the Goodwood Estate, the Cass Sculpture Foundation.

Look out too for one-off summer events at some of Sussex’ historic houses, castles and gardens – and match these up with stays in hotels offering seaside chic, country retreats or the boutique experience. Visit the new online guide to the best in culture across Sussex – culturesussex.com – and then find out more about leisure attractions in the region at visitsussex.org.

Some attractions;

Contemporary art lovers should head to East Sussex and De La Warr Pavilion (dlwp.com), where works by German artist Joseph Beuys (1921–86) are on display until 27th September. Exploring the artist’s socialist ideals on politics, anti-establishment and philosophy, the exhibition – devised by De La Warr Pavilion – displays a large number of sculptures, photographs, drawings and watercolours as well as a selection of posters recalling live events by Beuys.

Located a stone’s throw from the beach in Bexhill, the Grade one listed building exhibits some of the best contemporary art on the international circuit in two beautifully restored galleries. Admission is free.

Staying over: Departing on Friday 14th August, a two-night break at Hastings House (hastingshouse.co.uk), a boutique hotel set in a historic square in nearby St Leonards-on-Sea, costs £99 per person (based on two sharing) including full English breakfast.

Over in West Sussex, Arundel Castle is gearing up for its annual festival (arundelfestival.co.uk), taking place between 21st and 31st August. There is something for all tastes in the line-up, which includes a rock and pop concert, candlelit opera and classical composers. The Collector Earl’s Garden will be transformed into a Shakespearean open-air theatre for three days (27th–29th August), when the British Shakespeare Company will perform Much Ado About Nothing and A Midsummer Night’s Dream (adults £25, children £15, 01903 882173).

Staying over: Departing on Thursday 27th August, a two-night stay at Burpham Country House (burphamcountryhouse.com), set in the heart of the South Downs just three miles from the Castle, costs £89.50 per person (based on two sharing) including Full English breakfast.

Once the home of Bloomsbury artists Vanessa Bell and Duncan Grant, Charleston (charleston.org.uk), near Lewes in East Sussex, hosts the UK’s only festival dedicated to the short story. Now in its fourth year, Small Wonder takes place over the weekend of 24th–27th September with short stories from every genre – written, read, discussed and performed by cast of celebrated contemporary writers.

From horror stories to comic fantasies; tales about the environment to political persecution, the four-day festival will be filled with thought-provoking talks and debates alongside staged productions, open mic and a creative writing workshop. Tickets are bookable individual events or one-day tickets are available for Saturday or Sunday at £38 per person (booking: 01273 709709. A two-day creative writing workshop takes place on Thursday 24th and Friday 25th priced at £185pp, including evening events and lunch.

Staying over: Departing on Thursday 24th September, a one-night B&B break at Wingrove House in Alfriston (wingrovehousealfriston.com), a stylish colonial-style house offering five guest rooms, costs £50 per person (based on two sharing). Alternatively a two-night weekend break at Crossways (crosswayshotel.co.uk) from 25th September costs £125 per person.

Not to be missed

- See the world premiere of Enron, directed by Rupert Goold, at Chichester Festival Theatre (11th July–29th August) before it transfers to London’s Royal Court in September
- View inspirational work by local artists at Artwave, the annual visual arts festival taking place in and around Lewes between 29th August and 13th September.

Best kept culture secrets

- Towner art gallery opened in Eastbourne in April 2009, presenting unique exhibitions of contemporary and historical visual art alongside displays from the Towner permanent collection.
- Brighton Museum & Art Gallery in the Royal Pavilion Gardens has around 80 prints by 56 leading modern American artists on display until 31st August. The American Scene examines American society and culture through its artists, including George Bellows, Josef Albers and Jackson Pollock.
- A unique exhibition, Man on the Moon, commemorating the 40th anniversary of the Apollo moon landings is on at the Independent Photographers Gallery in Battle (4th July–15th August)
- The Weald & Downland Open Air Museum in Singleton welcomes back ‘The Company’ this summer with its own special brand of roving musical theatre (31st July–2nd August, 8th–9th August)