Sussex Guide: Artists Open Studios, Art Trails and Craft events

Sussex offers one of the most rewarding ways to experience art in the UK, far beyond the walls of traditional galleries. Across the county, artists regularly open their studios, homes and shared spaces to visitors, creating a series of art trails that reveal Sussex through its people, landscapes and creative communities.

What sets these events apart is the sense of welcome. You are invited into working studios, able to talk directly with artists and see how ideas take shape in real settings. Some trails unfold gently through villages and countryside, while others feel lively and energetic. Together, they offer a rich way to explore Sussex at your own pace.

Whether you are planning a short break or building a longer itinerary, these open studios and trails provide a distinctive lens on the county’s cultural life.

Art and History Intertwined: Arundel Gallery Trail

22-31 August 2026

The Arundel Gallery Trail is a natural starting point for visitors who enjoy combining culture with heritage. Set within one of Sussex’s most picturesque towns, the trail weaves contemporary art into historic streets, independent shops and established galleries.

The compact layout makes it easy to explore on foot, dipping into venues between cafés, riverside walks and visits to Arundel’s landmarks. It suits a relaxed day out and works particularly well as part of a weekend stay.

Best for: weekend visitors and those who like to explore without rushing.

Artists at Home and in the Landscape: ArtWave

5 – 20 September

Running in Lewes, Seaford, Newhaven and the surrounding villages, Art Wave Festival invites visitors into artists’ studios, homes and shared spaces, offering a more personal way to experience the region’s creative life.

The event combines open studios with exhibitions and pop‑up venues, set within villages, market towns and countryside locations. The flexible format allows visitors to plan anything from a short outing to several days of exploring, often pairing studio visits with walks, cafés and local attractions.

Best for: visitors who enjoy self‑guided trails, meeting makers and exploring Sussex at a relaxed pace.

Celebrating Making and Craftsmanship: Sussex Craft Week

20-28 June 2026 inclusive

Sussex Craft Week shines a spotlight on the county’s rich craft heritage, bringing together makers, studios and creative spaces from across Sussex. There are over 60 events in 40 venues across the county and include open studios, exhibitions, demonstrations and talks, offering visitors the chance to see skilled makers at work and learn more about traditional and contemporary craft practices. Events take place in a wide range of settings, from rural workshops to town‑based venues, encouraging exploration across the county. As part of Sussex Craft Week, Arundel presents a programme of contemporary craft across the town, inviting visitors to experience making through exhibitions, a window trail and events. 

Best for: visitors interested in ceramics, textiles, wood, metal and heritage crafts, and those who enjoy discovering creative Sussex beyond galleries.

A Slower Pace: Chichester Open Studios Art Trail

16/17, 23/24/25 May
For a more spacious and unhurried experience, Chichester Open Studios offers a very different rhythm. 164 artists are spread across 116 venues encompassing multiple areas: City, Downs, Eastward, Harbour, Peninsular and Seaside, with views that often take in farmland, harbours and the South Downs.

The distances between venues encourage a more thoughtful approach, turning the trail into a series of small journeys rather than a single, dense event.

Best for: visitors who enjoy scenic drives and taking their time.

Behind the Scenes with Makers: Studio Safaris

Various bookable dates in June 

Organised by The Makers Directory this event offers a chance to step inside the working studios of artists and makers across Sussex and beyond. For all events click here.

Rather than following a single trail, Studio Safaris brings together a curated selection of open studios, allowing visitors to plan their own route and focus on the practices that interest them most. Disciplines range from ceramics and textiles to printmaking, jewellery and mixed media, with many studios located in rural or semi‑rural settings.

Best for: those who enjoy a more in‑depth, behind‑the‑scenes experience and exploring creative studios at a relaxed pace.

Creative Communities by the Water: Shoreham and the Adur Valley

6/7, 13/14, 20/21 June 2026

Centred around Shoreham‑by‑Sea and extending inland, the Adur Art Trail has a distinctive, artist‑led character. Venues range from private homes to churches, houseboats and historic buildings, giving the trail an exploratory feel.

There is a strong sense of continuity here, with many artists returning year after year and a loyal local audience that adds to the atmosphere.

Best for: visitors looking for something informal and slightly off the beaten track.

Inspired by the Landscape: Ashdown Forest Open Studios

4/5/6 September 2026

Set around the wooded heathland of Ashdown Forest, Ashdown Forest Open Studios offers one of the most contemplative art experiences in Sussex. Many of the artists draw direct inspiration from the surrounding landscape, and the journey between studios becomes part of the enjoyment.

Studios tend to be more remote, making this a rewarding option for those who like to combine art with walking, wildlife and slower travel.

Best for: lovers of landscape, nature and quiet exploration.

Market Town Creativity: Horsham Artists’ Open Studios Art Trail

6/7 and 13/14 June

The Horsham Artists 2026 Art Trail offers a chance to explore creativity rooted in one of West Sussex’s most attractive market towns and its surrounding countryside.

Taking place in June the trail brings together a wide range of artists working across Horsham town centre, nearby villages and rural studios. Venues include private homes, shared workspaces and garden studios, many of which are not usually open to the public.

The experience feels deliberately unhurried. Studios are spread out enough to encourage exploration, whether on foot around the town or by car into the surrounding countryside. Along the way, visitors can combine studio visits with independent shops, cafés and green spaces, making it easy to shape the day around their interests. 
Best for: visitors who enjoy discovering market towns, mixing art with shopping and food, and taking a flexible, self‑guided approach.

Village Traditions and Contemporary Craft: Art in Ditchling

May 2,3&4(Bank Holiday) | 9&10 | 16&17 | 23,24&25 (Bank Holiday)

Set at the foot of the South Downs, Art in Ditchling offers a compact but distinctive open studios experience rooted in one of Sussex’s most creative villages.

Taking place across selected weekends, the event invites visitors into studios and homes throughout Ditchling, showcasing work that often reflects the village’s long association with craft, design and making. The scale is intentionally manageable, making it easy to explore on foot and to combine studio visits with independent shops, cafés and countryside walks.
Best for: visitors who enjoy intimate trails, village settings and pairing art with time outdoors.

Seaside Studios and Coastal Views: Bognor Coastal Art Trail

Last two weekends in July

The Bognor Coastal Art Trail offers a relaxed, seaside take on the open studios experience, stretching along the coast and into neighbourhoods around Bognor Regis.

Artists open their studios, homes and shared spaces, many within easy reach of the seafront, creating an event that pairs contemporary creativity with fresh air and coastal walks. The trail is easy to dip in and out of, making it well suited to a day by the sea or as part of a longer West Sussex stay.
Best for: visitors who want to combine art with time by the sea, cafés and traditional seaside attractions.

Brighton and Beyond: Making the Most of a City Visit

Weekends in May 2026

The Artists Open Houses trail remains the largest open studios event in Sussex, taking place across multiple weekends in May. Nearly 200 venues open their doors, from Regency houses to garden studios and community spaces.

If you are coming to Brighton for the festival, it is well worth extending your stay to explore more of Sussex. Within a short journey, you can experience quieter trails, rural studios and historic towns that offer a contrasting pace and perspective. Pairing a lively city visit with time in the wider county adds depth and variety to any trip.

For those visiting later in the year, the Winter AOH trail provides a smaller, festive alternative, with a focus on craft and seasonal work.

Year‑Round Creativity: Worthing’s Studio Scene

Not all of Sussex’s creative life follows a seasonal trail format. Worthing has developed a year‑round studio culture, with spaces such as East Beach Studios and Colonnade House offering regular access to working artists on and near the Seafront

Rather than a single festival, visitors can drop in throughout the year, often discovering exhibitions, open days and pop‑up events as part of a casual visit.

Best for: spontaneous visits and relaxed browsing.

Crafts across Sussex

A County Shaped by Variety

Sussex’s open studios and art trails reveal a county defined by diversity:

• Large‑scale city events with a festival atmosphere
• Place‑led trails rooted in towns and villages
• Rural studios shaped by landscape and environment
• Year‑round creative hubs by the sea

This range makes Sussex especially appealing for visitors with an interest in Art, no matter how serious! You can enjoy a vibrant art‑filled weekend, then slow things down with countryside studios and coastal towns, all within easy reach.

For visitors from across the UK and abroad, Sussex art events offer something increasingly rare: a personal, place‑based connection with artists and their work, and a memorable way to explore Sussex beyond the usual routes.

Plan Your Crafty Getaway

Whether you're exploring the coast, countryside, or historic towns, Sussex offers a rich and varied craft scene. With events like Sussex Craft Week, open studio trails, and immersive workshops, there’s always something new to discover.

So pack your sketchbook, roll up your sleeves, and dive into the creative heart of Sussex.