A Guide to Living in East Sussex

Where is East Sussex?

Located in the southeast of England, East Sussex borders Kent, Surrey and West Sussex to its west, Hampshire to its north and Channel Islands to its east.

The county’s coastline faces France across the English Channel – it has been called “the traditional dividing line between Britain and Europe” because of this long association with continental Europe.

East Sussex has rolling chalk hills which reach up towards the South Downs National Park in the south. Inland from these are fertile farmlands where cereals have been grown since Roman times, as well as more modern enterprises such as fruit farming.

Areas in East Sussex include

There are many towns and villages throughout East Sussex, each with their own different character The coastal towns of Eastbourne, Brighton and Hove are known for their beaches while the market towns of Lewes, Uckfield and Royal Tunbridge Wells offer a more traditional English feel.

Brighton – The largest town in East Sussex, Brighton is popular with students due to its University of Brighton as well as its lively nightlife and array of shops.

Eastbourne – Situated on the coast, Eastbourne is a popular destination for holidaymakers. It has two miles of seafront promenade as well as a pier that was rebuilt in 2002 and is now home to a theatre and numerous attractions

Lewes – Considered the county’s most attractive market town, Lewes is surrounded by countryside offering walking trails through its cobbled streets. The historic Cliffe High Street has been designated as an area of architectural interest while the wide selection of shops makes it popular with visitors from all over the UK.

Hove – Just to the north of Brighton, Hove is smaller but just as vibrant. It has a wide range of independent shops as well as a lively nightlife and is popular with young people.

The Downs – The area of rolling chalk hills that run from east to west across the county, providing some stunning views and plenty of opportunity for outdoor pursuits such as walking, cycling and horse riding.

Uckfield – The main centre for Uckfield and Crowborough districts, Uckfield has schools, colleges and a lively high street including restaurants, pubs and independent shops.

Universities in East Sussex

East Sussex is home to two universities – the University of Brighton and the University for the Creative Arts.

The University of Brighton – A large, multi-campus university with a strong focus on employability and a wide range of courses, The University of Brighton has a clear commitment to encouraging students from under-represented groups.

University for the Creative Arts – A specialist arts institution offering undergraduate and postgraduate courses in creative disciplines such as advertising, architecture, fashion and media.

Top Schools in East Sussex

There are a number of excellent schools in East Sussex, both state and private. Some of the most highly-rated state schools include:

Bexhill Academy – A secondary school with academy status, judged to be ‘outstanding’ by Ofsted in all categories.

The Burgess Hill School for Girls – A single-sex grammar school that achieved an ‘outstanding’ rating from Ofsted in 2012.

The Vine School – A large multi-academy trust secondary school, based in the Eastbourne area, the Vine School was rated as ‘outstanding’ by Ofsted in 2020.

The Downs School – A highly-regarded independent school, located just outside of Brighton and Hove city centre, with a strong reputation across the board – both academic and sporting – The Downs is one of the best schools for boys in England

Population of East Sussex

According to the latest figures from the Office for National Statistics, the estimated population in East Sussex is over 800,000 people, concentrated around the main towns and cities such as Brighton and Hove.