Explore the Sussex coast and countryside by bus this summer
Brighton & Hove Buses is encouraging people to make the most of their staycations this summer and explore the Sussex coast and countryside.
Sussex really comes into its own in the summer, with glorious walks on the South Downs; stunning stretches of coast; historic towns, castles, museums and country houses; independent shops; laid back country pubs and quirky city bars.
Vernon Collins takes the bus for days out in the countryside and to see friends.
“Brighton has very good bus links, which is great because I can get all over the city, as well as up to Devils Dyke and the Downs. I’ve caught the bus all the way from Brighton to Littlehampton before. I’m quite happy just staring out the window, zoning out with my phone or music on. I like the bus because it’s easy and accessible and I have a disability.”
Brighton & Hove and Metrobus’ Managing Director Martin Harris said staying local was a great choice.
“Sussex has so much to offer, especially over the holidays. You can take the bus up to the Downs, go to Lewes or Tunbridge Wells for shopping and sightseeing, or head to the beach. After spending so much time indoors during the pandemic and with most lockdown restrictions lifted now, it’s time to enjoy the county we live in, and venture further afield.
“We know that keeping the kids occupied during the long weeks of the summer holidays can be expensive, so we have tickets specifically designed to save you money on family and group days out. Catching the bus also means no stressful driving or having to pay for parking. You get a much better view from the top deck than you do from a car and you’re doing your bit for the environment.”
The family networkSAVER gives unlimited travel on any Brighton & Hove bus for up to 5 people – maximum of 2 adults – for just £9, if you buy it on the app, or £10 from the driver.
Duo and Quattro tickets offer special fares for 2 or 4 people travelling together. Find out more here.
If your trip is more spontaneous, you can hop on and off buses using contactless, which caps fares to the price of a day ticket for the area you have travelled in.
Martin said the bus company anticipated people would flock to the seaside during the warmer weather so it had increased its Coaster services to Eastbourne via Beachy Head, Birling Gap and Seaford to every 30 minutes every day during the school summer holidays, starting from Sunday 25 July. You’ll find the 13X timetable here.
Millions of people are choosing to holiday in the UK this year, rather than going abroad, in an effort to avoid catching a plane and dealing with overseas travel restrictions, exploring closer to home instead.
Royal Pavilion and Museums CEO Hedley Swain said the number of locals visiting the Pavilion and Brighton Museum had rocketed in recent months.
“Brighton is such a great central base with so much to see and do, but also because you are only a short journey from so much more: Preston Manor and Park, Booth Museum and Hove Museum within the city and then just a bit further to the amazing South Downs and all they have to offer.”
A June 2021 Covid consumer sentiment tracking survey found that around 3 in 5 (62%) UK adults planned to take an overnight UK trip at some point by the end of 2021, much higher than the 23% that planned on taking an overnight trip overseas. What’s more, the top intended summer destination in 2021 was a ‘traditional coastal/seaside town’.
Download the Breeze Up the Downs leaflet showing Brighton & Hove routes to beautiful places here.