From William the Conqueror in 1066, to the opening of the King Charles III England Coast Path visited by The King in 2026, the 140-mile Sussex coastline is home to a millennia’s worth of royal connections.
This royal-themed itinerary shows you the Sussex coastline through a right royal filter, from Bognor Regis’s traditional seaside charm to the thriving pleasure piers of Brighton and Eastbourne to the contemporary seaside resort of Hastings.
In between, you’ll discover places that have gained a royal seal of approval (most recently the Seven Sisters National Nature Reserve!), as well as miles of sandy beaches, World War II history and some 20th-century nostalgia.
The King Charles III Coast Path now connects the dune landscapes of the Witterings in the Chichester Harbour National Landscape in the West, to Rye Harbour and Camber Sands in the East, following 140 miles of Sussex coastline.
| Getting around: Hire car is the most flexible way to follow this itinerary but it’s possible to travel between Bognor Regis and Brighton by train (1 hour), bus (2 hours 40 mins) or taxi (45 mins); between Brighton and Eastbourne by train (40 mins), bus (1 hour 30 mins) or taxi (1 hour); and from Eastbourne to Pevensey by train (25 mins plus 15 min walk), bus (30 mins plus 5 min walk) or taxi (15 mins). There are also some great opportunities for walks and cycle rides following the KIIICP Coast Path. |
Day 1: Explore Bognor Regis
It was George V, Queen Elizabeth II’s grandfather, who conferred the ‘Regis’ (Latin for ‘of the king’) on Bognor, in 1929. During the 13 weeks he spent here recovering from a lung operation, he was visited by three future heads of state: Edward VIII, George VI and Elizabeth II.
It’s easy to while away a day in this charmingly nostalgic seaside resort. Bognor is known as the UK’s sunniest town so make the most of the weather with a stroll or cycle along the 4-miles (6.5km) of promenade and check out the pier; it’s less than half the length it was when George V visited but still a great spot for some fish and chips. The promenade is part of the South Coast Trail Route, which you can follow for miles in either direction. Alternatively, you can pedal along the network of cycle routes and trails that weave through Bognor and past beach huts, vineyards and nature reserves. Adult bike hire is available from Bognor Bike Hub. Would you rather explore on foot? Follow one of the six Bognor Regis Heritage Trails.
To uncover more about the town’s captivating past, head to Bognor Regis Museum. It covers the town’s transformation from a humble fishing village into a fashionable seaside resort, through a plethora of quirky tales and memorabilia. Expect everything from ghosts to vintage cameras. (Closed Mondays and throughout winter.)
Bognor’s independent shops are worth browsing too, and there are plenty of cafes and restaurants. As evening falls, make your way east along the coast to Brighton. On the way, stop off in Shoreham-by-Sea for a dip. Camilla used to swim here as a child.
Eat and sleep:
Don't miss the chance to try traditional fish ‘n’ chips, best eaten straight from the paper by the sea. If you don’t think that sounds very royal, remember that fish ‘n’ chips were The Queen’s favourite takeaway, and Camilla is known to be partial to them too!
Spend the night at Bailiffscourt Hotel & Spa, (an award winning contemporary spa) in 30 acres of grounds a short stroll from Climping Beach, near Littlehampton. This cluster of thatched houses, follies and a medieval-style house looks ancient but was built in the 1920s for Lord Moyne using original and salvaged materials.
Day 2: Explore Brighton and Eastbourne
Brighton’s Royal Pavilion embodies the decadence of King George IV. The King, then Prince of Wales, first visited Brighton in the 1780s, to take advantage of the therapeutic qualities of “dipping” (full immersion in sea water). By the middle of the 1820s, King George had transformed his small lodgings into the enormous, indulgent pleasure palace you can visit today. (The Royal Pavillion is open daily.)
Today, Brighton’s vibrant shops, seafront and pier could easily occupy you for a few days but tear yourself away and follow the coast around to Eastbourne. Hop on the bus for the best views of the towering white cliffs of Beachy Head and the iconic Seven Sisters National Nature Reserve, famous as the backdrop in film and TV including Harry Potter (and visited by His Majesty King Charles III in 2026!). From here you'll arrive in Eastbourne; the resort town has a Victorian pier, 3 miles (5km) of palm-lined promenade and the renowned Towner gallery. One of the most interesting ways to explore Eastbourne is on the Blue Plaque Heritage Trail. Among the plaques dedicated to the notables who have stayed here – including Charles Dickens, Sir Ernest Shackleton and Mabel Lucie Attwell – you’ll see a green plaque marking the beach chalet used by King George V and Queen Mary in March 1935. It’s an excellent spot to try “dipping”!
Eat and Sleep
For something more traditionally regal, take afternoon tea at The Grand, a luxurious hotel slap-bang on Brighton’s seafront that’s known as “the original palace by the sea”. Work your way through three tiers of sweet and savoury treats as you take in the views between the famously lively Brighton Palace Pier and the bleakly beautiful ruins of West Pier. For a quirkier place to stay, follow the coast towards Eastbourne until you reach Belle Tout Lighthouse B&B, high above the English Channel. The views along the white cliffs are fit for kings and queens!
The King opens the King Charles III England Coast Path at Seven Sisters National Nature reserve in 2026. Getty Images.
Day 3: Explore Battle and Hastings
About 5 miles (8km) inland is Pevensey Castle. This ruined Roman Saxon fort dates from the 4th century and played a standby role in World War II but it’s most famous as the landing place of William the Conqueror in 1066. (Open daily April – October; weekends only November – March.)
If you have more time on your hands, trace the route of William and his conquering army along the 31-mile (50km) 1066 Country Walk. The trail maps the invasion from Pevensey via Herstmonceux Castle to the 1066 Battlefield and Battle Abbey where King Harold II, the last Anglo-Saxon King of England, was slain, changing the course of England’s history and its royal family for ever.
Back on the coastal path, visit Hastings, a vibrant seaside resort town with a rich history. Take a stroll around the quaint Old Town where in Georgian times a garrison of 12,000 soldiers were commanded by the Duke of Wellington from his headquarters in High Street. Hastings Pier is a more laid-back affair, where you can rejuvenate at Samphire Sauna, nearby you'll find traditional fishermen’s huts (still in use today), or take in world-class art at Hastings Contemporary.
Eat and sleep
Stop for a bite to eat and a traditional pint at The Crown Pub, in the cobbled streets of Hastings Old Town (and in keeping with our royal theme!).
