Why these 4 towns and villages are the best places to live in Sussex

Nestled in the heart of South East England, Sussex offers a charming blend of history, natural beauty and modern convenience. From the UK’s largest Roman villas to family fun on Brighton beach, this county has something for everyone.

What truly sets Sussex apart is its breadth of exceptional towns and villages, all with unique character and communities. Tucked away from big cities and surrounded by a rich patchwork of food, culture, history and nature, these are spectacular places to call home.

Yet, among all the Sussex towns, there are four places that represent the best of Sussex living more than any other:

• Burgess Hill

• Haywards Heath

• Rottingdean

• Crowborough

Burgess Hill: The Gateway To Sussex

Burgess Hill, often referred to as the Gateway to Sussex, is a thriving market town with agricultural roots that stretch back to the Iron Age. Today it's one of the best places to live in West Sussex, striking the perfect balance between the natural beauty of the South Downs and practical connections to Brighton and London – quickly accessed by road via the town’s two mainline train stations.

The benefits of a modern market town

Despite its connections, Burgess Hill retains the quintessential charm of a market town. Burgess Hill Town Market is held on the 2nd Saturday of each month, while every day offers a chance to explore various family-owned shops running through the town centre.

The town’s growth in the past few decades has also led to a healthy balance of modern conveniences, from chain stores in the Martlets Shopping Centre to artisanal cafes like Mnesic Coffee. There’s no shortage of restaurant options, including  Thai at Green Mango, Mexican at Spira, and upscale Turkish cuisine at Yaprak.

Things to do in Burgess Hill

You’ll find a rich lifestyle of things to do and places to go without ever needing to leave town.

Unlike other West Sussex towns, Burgess Hill is unusual in that it still has an independent cinema, The Orion, which opened in 1928 and shows a blend of blockbuster and arthouse films.

To help you stay active, Burgess Hill also offers The Triangle: a stunning leisure centre with something for everyone, including a large swimming pool, regular classes, a well-equipped gym, and even soft play for children.

Green spaces to explore in Burgess Hill

Burgess Hill is on the northern edge of the South Downs National Park, surrounded by picturesque green spaces. In and around the town itself, Bedelands Farm Nature Reserve offers long walks through ancient meadows, while St Johns Park is home to tennis courts, an outdoor gym, a modern skate park, and a welcoming café.

These areas are perfect for outdoor enthusiasts, offering opportunities for hiking, cycling, picnicking, and other recreational family activities.

A busy community calendar

Burgess Hill prides itself on fostering a strong sense of community, giving you a chance to connect with your neighbours through local events and clubs.

One notable example is the annual Burgess Hill Summer Fayre, which includes a parade led by a marching band alongside fun activities and entertainment. In 2025, these included a BMX stunt show, an unmissable birds of prey display, and a delicious barbecue in the summer sun. Burgess Hill is also known for its iconic bonfire night events—held as early as mid-September—with a colourful costume parade through the streets, thrilling tar barrel racing, and everything you need for a night of fiery fun.

Brookworth’s Fairways and The Vale developments are both in walking distance from the town centre and community spaces, making it easy to be at the heart of things.

Well-rated schools in Burgess Hill

Across both primary and secondary settings, the area around Burgess Hill offers an exceptional choice of schools, all of which are highly rated by Ofsted:

• Southway Junior School (Good, January 2025)

• Birchwood Grove Community Primary School (Good, November 2022)

• St Wilfrid's Catholic Primary School (Good, September 2021)

• The Burgess Hill Academy (Good, December 2024)

• Woodlands Meed (Good, October 2023)

For Sixth Form and post-16 education, the area is also served by Brighton and Hove Sixth Form College, Crawley College, and Collyers Sixth Form College in nearby Horsham.

Practical transport links to London and Brighton

Burgess Hill has excellent transport links, with a mainline railway station that provides easy access to Brighton (15 minutes), Gatwick Airport (17 minutes) and London (55 minutes). Whether you’re planning your annual overseas getaway or heading into the capital for a meal and a West-End show, it’ll be a breeze.

Burgess Hill is also connected to nearby destinations including Brighton, Crawley, and East Grinstead by an extensive bus service that passes through surrounding villages and towns in Sussex.

Finally, by car, Burgess Hill benefits from several years of concerted investment into its road infrastructure, making for fast access to other Sussex towns and key routes including the A2300 and A23, with onward connections to the M23 and M25.

Haywards Heath: A Hub of Convenience and Quality Living

Emerging as a town with the arrival of the London & Brighton Railway in 1841, it’s no surprise that Haywards Heath has become one of the best places to live in West Sussex, due in large part to its close connections to the best the county has to offer.

From families to young professionals and retirees, more and more people are choosing Haywards Heath as the perfect base to start their journey throughout the county. From its leafy environs you can find yourself in The Lanes of Brighton or out in the country with equal ease.

A well-connected railway town

Legend has it that, when the villages of Cuckfield and Lindfield couldn’t agree who should receive the train station,  they chose a location between the two Sussex towns and Haywards Heath formed around it. Today, what began as a simple terminus is the perfect midpoint between London (46 minutes) and Brighton (14 minutes).

You’ll feel this rail heritage in the DNA of the whole local area. 20 minutes away in Uckfield, you’ll find Bluebell Railway. This steam-powered trip back in time, with each traditional station along the way designed to reflect a different period in history.

Community and culture in Haywards Heath

Haywards Heath has a strong sense of community, with regular local events and activities. One notable example is the annual Haywards Heath Arts Festival, an exciting week of live music, theatre, and stand-up comedy, all in support of a chosen charity.

Meanwhile, the cultural scene in Haywards Heath is evolving with the transformation of Clair Hall—once a community theatre, this will soon become a three-screen cinema with space for live performances.

Enjoy a day in Haywards Heath town centre

For shoppers, Haywards Heath’s town centre strikes the perfect balance between small, independent retailers and the convenience of big brand names. Whether you’re browsing for your next read in Waterstones or discovering your new favourite wine in Grape & Grain, there’s rarely a need to travel further afield to bigger towns and cities.

The town centre is also home to numerous places to get together, including Gravlax, an unmissable neighbourhood bistro that’s ideal for chatty brunches and locally sourced suppers alike. For evenings out, the nearby Lockhart Tavern serves delicious seasonal meals alongside hand-chosen craft beers from UK-based brewers.

Haywards Heath services and amenities

Beyond leisure and recreation, Haywards Heath is also well-equipped with practical amenities for living a fit, healthy lifestyle. The Dolphin Leisure Centre offers a spacious swimming pool, regular classes, and wellness activities, while the town also includes several independent gyms.

Haywards Heath is also home to the Princess Royal Hospital, a large and well-regarded healthcare facility serving the local community and people from other towns in Sussex.

Days out in nature

Haywards Heath provides extensive parklands and recreation areas including Victoria Park and Beech Hurst Gardens, which both offer well-maintained, manicured green spaces for picnics, leisurely strolls, and family gatherings.

For a less structured day in the countryside, Haywards Heath is also close to the South Downs National Park with miles of walking, hiking and cycling trails across rolling hills and wooded heaths.

High-performing schools in Haywards Heath

One of the standout features of Haywards Heath is its superb schools. For families with children, the town’s academic settings provide a continuously high level of quality, from early years through post-16 education.

Highlights include Lindfield Primary Academy (rated Outstanding by Oftsted), Warden Park Secondary Academy (rated Good) and Great Walstead, a century-old independent day school in a distinctive countryside setting.

Rottingdean: A Coastal Gem

For those seeking a slower pace and the allure of coastal living, Rottingdean is a hidden gem. This picturesque village is nestled along the stunning Sussex coastline, offering breathtaking views of the English Channel. Known for its historic charm and artistic community, Rottingdean is an ideal choice for those seeking a peaceful coastal retreat.

Rottingdean's breathtaking coastal beauty

Prized by historic smugglers and modern-day homeowners alike, Rottingdean's coastal location is one of its most appealing features. Rottingdean beach is a quiet pebble beach with spectacular views of the English Channel, as the sea breeze and crashing waves provide a soothing backdrop. And with a tranquil undercliff path, it’s the perfect place for leisurely strolls along the coast, whether you’re heading out on your morning walk or soaking in a romantic sunset view.

What makes Rottingdean’s beach special is the serenity that only comes from clean, less crowded space, with ample room to relax, sunbathe, or take part in water activities.

A traditional, historic village

From the moment you arrive, Rottingdean is the picture-perfect image of traditional English country living. But it’s the contrasts and hidden depths that make this village so distinctive from other villages and towns in Sussex.

This is a place where charming cottages sit alongside grand Edwardian houses, where rolling green hills seamlessly transition into the sea, and where cobbled streets and cliffside walks sit atop a network of historic smuggling tunnels. It’s this blend of old and new that our Skylarks development is designed to reflect: architecture that mirrors the area’s heritage, with all the convenience of modern living and the latest technology.

Celebrating Rottingdean’s cultural heritage

Rottingdean’s heritage is perhaps most visible through its various attractions, which make it our favourite place in Sussex for a relaxing day out with friends and family.

At Kipling Gardens, once the home of renowned author Rudyard Kipling, you can slow down and take in the horticultural excellence, in much the same way as Kipling would have as he wrote the ‘Just So’ stories. Meanwhile, The Rottingdean Windmill is a local landmark with great relevance to the village’s maritime traditions, historically used to look out across the sea and assess fog before setting out into The English Channel.

A thriving artistic and creative community

Rottingdean has long been associated with the arts, making it a haven for creatives of all kinds. At The Grange Museum Art Gallery & Tea Garden, an elegant early Georgian building that was once a vicarage, you’ll find seasonal exhibitions from local artists, often free to enter. There’s also a more contemporary visual arts streak throughout the area, exemplified by the aptly named surrealists, Rottingdean Bazaar.

For music and performance, the village’s arts society offers a calendar of free summer concerts on Rottingdean Terraces Stage, as well as one-off events throughout the year including jazz, folk, and orchestral shows.

Services and amenities in Rottingdean

Rottingdean is a small, close community and a place that’s largely unspoiled by modern life. Despite this, you’ll find a rich blend of locally owned shops and restaurants, alongside essentials like the Tesco Express. With everything close at hand, there’s rarely a need to venture further afield into other Sussex towns when you’re deciding what to have for dinner.

Of course, it’s the more traditional spots that really stand out. A broad choice of wonderful places to get together with friends and family includes The Trellis Restaurant and Tea Rooms, a perfect place for an al fresco brunch, while The Coach House and Black Horse are Rottingdean’s traditional village pubs, offering classic ales and good lunches and – in the case of the Coach House – views out across the water.

From Rottingdean to Brighton in 5 minutes

Rottingdean is conveniently located just a few miles east of Brighton, one of the UK's most vibrant and culturally rich cities. A relaxed 15-minute drive along the coast (and served by regular buses), Brighton brings you all the advantages of a big city for work, arts, culture, nightlife and leisure.

Whether you’re commuting in for work, exploring boutique fashion stores in The Lanes, going out on the town or just enjoying the view from the Brighton i360 observation deck, there’s something for every taste and every kind of day out.

Schools and colleges in Rottingdean

Like many of the towns in Sussex, Rottingdean has access to excellent schools. The renowned independent Roedean School offers a private education for girls 11-18, Longhill High School is an inclusive comprehensive inside the village itself, and Brighton College provides straight through education for boys and girls aged three to 18.

Crowborough: Your Idyllic Countryside Retreat

Nestled in the High Weald of Sussex, Crowborough offers a charming blend of countryside living, community spirit, and access to natural beauty.

Halfway between London and West Sussex coastal towns, it’s a well-rounded place to live—and a highly desirable destination for anyone seeking a more relaxed lifestyle.

Nature and history in and around Crowborough

High Weald is a designated Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB), in which Crowborough is located. Life in Crowborough is one surrounded by lush landscapes and wide vistas. The highest point in the High Wield is Crowborough Beacon, from which lush woodlands, rolling hills and picturesque valleys sprawl in every direction.

The nearby Ashdown Forest, the inspiration behind A.A. Milne's Winnie-the-Pooh stories, is a beloved spot for nature enthusiasts and provides ample opportunities for outdoor activities.

Situated on the outskirts of the town, our Warren Grove development is just minutes from this spectacular forest.

A small town with plenty to see and do

Despite its size, Crowborough is well-appointed with things to see and do, whether you’re in the mood for a traditional pub lunch or a spot of shopping at an independently owned boutique. That’s what makes it one of the best places to live in East Sussex.

For more than 200 years, The Crow & Gate Inn has been a destination for travellers throughout East Sussex. Today, it’s a warm, welcoming pub for hearty meals, cask ales, and crackling log fires—equally suited to quiet evenings or special celebrations. Meanwhile, the town centre offers all the amenities you’d expect from a busy and highly desirable town, from high-end restaurants to takeaways, and a large Waitrose for all your day-to-day essentials. 

Events and socialising in Crowborough

On the fourth Saturday of every month, Croft Road in the centre of town hosts the Crowborough Farmers Market: your chance to pick up local products and artisan goods from farm-fresh meat and game to tasty natural dog treats.

Meanwhile, Crowborough Community Centre is your destination for a busy calendar of events, productions, clubs and classes—the perfect way to meet new people and socialise.

Annual and seasonal events in Crowborough

Crowborough also hosts various local events and festivals throughout the year, helping you connect to the local community and your neighbours.

One highlight is the annual Crowborough Summer Fair on Goldsmiths Recreation Ground. Designed for the entire family, the fair typically includes market stalls, activities like crazy golf, an impressive spread of food and drink, and even a fun-filled dog agility show.

In the autumn, you can also enjoy Crowborough Community Festival: a themed event with live music, art and theatre throughout the town.

Health and wellness living in Crowborough

Beyond the big health benefits of a more relaxing lifestyle, Crowborough is rich with opportunities to get outdoors and get active.

Crowborough Beacon Golf Club sits at one of the highest points in East Sussex, offering not just 18 varied holes but dramatic views over hills and woods, while the sea twinkles in the distance on a clear day. The club provides a wide range of membership options designed for intermediate golfers and seasoned pros alike.

Unusually for a town of its size, Crowborough is also home to its own hospital and an extensive leisure centre with a wide range of facilities, classes, and activities for the entire family.

Country living halfway between London and the coast

While Crowborough enjoys its peaceful countryside setting, it’s also conveniently located for day trips and commuting.

Nearby towns like Tunbridge Wells—just 15 minutes away by car—are ideal for bigger shopping trips, theatre, and cinema, while you can be on the sunny Sussex coast in under an hour. To the North, you’ll find Hever Castle & Gardens, the childhood home of Anne Boleyn and an unforgettable journey through both nature and history. And with Crowborough railway station in the heart of the town, you’re just over an hour from London and everything the capital has to offer.

Why Sussex is the perfect place to call home

With its diverse range of towns and villages, Sussex offers something for everyone. Burgess Hill and nearby Haywards Heath provide urban convenience and excellent transport links. Rottingdean offers coastal living with a touch of artistic heritage, while neighbouring Crowborough presents a peaceful escape into nature. 

These four locations showcase the breadth of experience and lifestyles Sussex has to offer, making it a region where anyone can find a place to call home. And with carefully curated Brookworth developments in each of these locations, you can combine that rural charm and country lifestyle with the convenience of a modern luxury home.

Whether you're drawn to the historical, coastal, suburban or rural aspects of Sussex life, these towns and villages provide a range of opportunities for residents to enjoy the highest quality of lifestyle. 

If you would like to find out more about our developments in this fantastic part of the country, simply get in touch with our experienced sales teams and they will be happy to help.