Explore Sussex Through Channel 5's New Series
A new five-part Channel 5 TV series, Sussex: Jewel of the South Coast, explores the landscapes, history, food, wildlife and communities that make Sussex one of England's most distinctive destinations. Filmed across the county, the series takes viewers from the Sussex coast to the South Downs National Park, uncovering inspiring stories, local businesses and must-visit places along the way.
Experience Sussex has compiled a travel guide to accompany the Sussex TV series, so you can find the places from the Channel 5 show and plan a visit to Sussex.
The new series airs from Saturday 25th July at 8pm on Channel 5. Tune in to see the secret side of Sussex: The Jewel of The South Coast.
Where is Channel 5's The Jewel of the South Coast filmed?
Channel 5's Sussex: Jewel of the South Coast was filmed across East Sussex, Brighton & Hove and West Sussex, including the South Downs National Park, Chichester, Rye, Lewes, Beachy Head, Hastings and the Sussex coast. The series showcases many of the county's most iconic attractions, landscapes, vineyards, beaches and historic sites.
Discover the Sussex Coast and South Downs National Park
Sussex is a county of green hills and blue coastlines. The South Downs National Park rolls quietly inland, while the coastline stretches for 140 miles, marked by white cliffs at Beachy Head and open skies towards the English Channel. These are familiar images, but the programme approaches them through the people who know them best.
The series meets third-generation fishermen catching lobster, continuing family traditions along the coast. Conservation efforts unfold alongside the everyday routines of the fishermen, reflecting a balance between making a living and caring for the environment.
Further inland, a farming family keep a breed of Sussex cows to protect the lineage of the breed that has grazed on the pastures for centuries. Visit historic gardens including Great Dixter, famous for their stunning variety of plants and floral displays.
Historic places featured in Jewel of the South Coast
History runs deep through much of the Channel 5 series and throughout Sussex. Visit the centuries-old Prince Regent's piano being carefully restored in Brighton, follow Chichester Cathedral as it opens the spire to the public, or see divers investigating the remains of a long-lost 17th century shipwreck.
Viewers can discover the birthplace of the first ideas that shaped America's Declaration of Independence, or take a ride on the steam train at Bluebell Railway lovingly preserved for future generations by local volunteers.
Historic towns such as Rye and Lewes are buzzing places to visit, with independent shops, cafés and winding cobbled streets that invite exploration at a slower pace.
Sussex Vineyards, Food producers and local makers
Another thread running through the series is the creative spirit of Sussex. Families and small producers experiment and adapt, whether that is developing a distinctive local cheese, a brewery creating a new beer from ancient hops, or revisiting traditional recipes with local chefs.
The county’s vineyards also feature, marking how Sussex has built a reputation for English wine over recent decades and meeting one of the pioneers of winemaking in the region.
Meet the people and wildlife of Sussex
Throughout the TV series we meet the people who work and live in Sussex. Meet the lifeguards who keep the beaches in Sussex safe, the new Dean bringing hidden corners of the Cathedral to the public, or follow the opening of a new hotel ready to greet new visitors to the area.
Discover the other residents in the county, from rare breeds of sheep in the South Downs to wathcing Dolphins on the Sussex Coast, to a wildlife rescue centre near Hastings. Nature is in abundance in the landscapes of Sussex.
Inspired by the Series? Start Planning Your Sussex Adventure
Whether you're inspired by the rolling landscapes of the South Downs National Park, the historic streets of Rye and Lewes, the vineyards that have helped put Sussex wine on the map, or the wildlife of the Sussex coast, there's plenty to discover for yourself.
Use Experience Sussex to plan your trip, find places to stay, discover attractions, browse itineraries and explore the locations featured in Channel 5's The Jewel of the South Coast.
