PICTURESQUE beaches, glorious countryside and rich history have all contributed to Sussex being ranked among the best places to visit this year.
The county has been ranked second in a list of top ten holiday destinations for 2021.
The list, compiled by CN’s Traveller Magazine, focused on locations that would be perfect for a staycation while coronavirus restrictions continue to limit travel abroad.
Traveller Magazine described “charming” Sussex as “more alluring than ever.”
It also praised it for renewing local investment, reviving cultural institutions old and new and for finding innovative ways of bringing our history and heritage to life.
It said: “From the rippling hills of the wild South Downs to the cobblestone streets of storied Rye, these two charming Sussex counties [East and West Sussex] glint with the kind of natural beauty that delivers an endless cache of serenity and soul-soaring sea views. But now, a raft of new openings and developments are making this pretty part of the UK an even bigger draw.”
The news comes after it was revealed that a rise in staycations last year meant Brighton was able to withstand a severe blow to its economy.
According to a new report by Irwin Mitchell and the Centre for Economic and Business Research, Brighton and Hove had the third smallest annual contraction in economic output of the 46 UK Powerhouse cities in the third quarter of this year.
Traveller Magazine singled out Rye as one of its top spots to visit in East Sussex.
It is not the first time the medieval coastal town has attracted the spotlight.
In 2014, Hollywood descended on its cobbled streets and the golden beach at Camber Sands to film blockbuster movie The Monuments Men.
The film starred George Clooney, Matt Damon and Bill Murray.
The town took home another accolade last year when Swallowtail Hill, a glamping site, took silver in the Visit England tourism Awards for Excellence.
The judges were impressed by the site’s selection of quaint lodges and glamorous pods set in 40 acres of beautiful countryside.
Yorkshire claimed the top spot in Traveller Magazine’s list, with Herefordshire, Salisbury and Kent also making up the top ten.
Scottish destinations including its West Coast and the Shetland Island were also recognised.
Abergavenny in Wales also made the top ten.
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