The annual Arundel Festival features an extensive mix of music, comedy, drama, art and children's activities. Street theatre, art trails and open-house events keep people busy around town, and the fun continues into the evening with concerts and fireworks.
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Aug 2013 (annual)
On the eve of Corpus Christi each year a magnificent 90-foot carpet of flowers is placed down the central aisle of Arundel Cathedral. The flowers signal the start of this celebration, and are followed by a procession of the Blessed Sacrament.
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Jun 2013 (annual)
The Chichester Film Festival, at the Chichester Cinema, offers a mixture of premières, retrospectives, previews and special events. Over the years the event has premièred work by directors ranging from Robert Altman to Tim Roth, and welcomed many star guests.
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Aug - Sep 2013 (annual)
The Chichester Festivities music and arts event takes over venues throughout the town, including the Norman cathedral. Festival-goers can enjoy everything from classical music to jazz, comedy, fireworks and ghost walks.
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Jun - Jul 2013 (annual)
Goodwood's spectacularly fast track relives the circuit's post-war glory days with a series of historic car races featuring vintage vehicles in a contemporary setting. Many people dress up and revel in the romance of motor racing as it used to be.
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Sep 2013 (annual)
The summer Glorious Goodwood week at Goodwood racecourse is one of the major events in the racing calendar. It was once described by King Edward VII as "a garden party with racing tacked on".
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Jul - Aug 2013 (annual)
The Goodwood Festival of Speed at Goodwood House brings together some of the world's top drivers, past and present. They also bring their machines, with everything from steam power to the technology of Formula One.
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Jun - Jul 2013 (annual)
West Dean festival is a perfect chance for families to enjoy music, performance and crafts together. Taking place in the beautiful West Dean Estate, an eclectic line up of bands complements activities like textile making, arts and cooking in the rolling South Downs.
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Aug - Sep 2013 (annual)
Chichester Writing Festival, at West Dean Estate, comprises a weekend of discussions, debates, workshops with acclaimed authors, editors, agents and booksellers. This is the event for industry professionals and aspiring writers.
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Mar 2013 (annual)
The Tithe Barn at Great Coxwell was described by William Morris as "the finest piece of architecture in England...unapproachable in its dignity, as beautiful as a cathedral, yet with no ostentation of the builder's art". It is now open throughout the year for history lovers to lap up.
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Daily
Tango Tea, on Southsea's trendy Albert Road, entices shoppers inside with its quirky window display. Both the shop and frontage are crammed with china and glass objects, furniture, jewellery, vintage clothing, posters, prints and contemporary art.
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Daily; not Wed or Sun
A smart cream-and-black corner building on Southsea's Marmion Road houses Roux at 27, retailers of fine jewellery, dealing mainly in diamonds and precious stones. Ladies who like gems can also gaze contentedly at hand-made silver rings, earrings, necklaces and bracelets.
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Daily; not Sun
One of Britain's most famous authors, Charles Dickens began life in Portsmouth in 1812, where he stayed for just three years. The interior of the house in which he was born and is now set in the Regency style of the era.
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Feb 2013 (various dates)
Built in 1544 at the behest of Henry VIII, Southsea Castle has enjoyed a long and healthy life, although it has long since retired from military service. It now maintains its 19th-century appearance thanks to Portsmouth Council.
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Apr - Sep 2013 (annual)
Frogs from South America and Northern Australia, freshwater otters, tropical angel fish and puffer fish are just some of the extraordinary and colourful creatures to be discovered at Portsmouth's Blue Reef Aquarium.
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Daily
Portsmouth's Route 66 causes a stir with its themed nights and dangerously cheap drinks offers. With three floors, three bars and two dance floors, you can even hire the club for your own party or promotional night.
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Daily
Visitors can learn everything about the history of Portsmouth at the City Museum, from the Stone Age to today. An exciting permanent exhibition left by Richard Lancelyn Green explores Sherlock Holmes and the life of his creator, Arthur Conan Doyle.
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Daily
Portsmouth Historic Dockyard houses some of the city's principal attractions, including HMS Victory, HMS Warrior 1860, the Royal Naval Museum, Action Stations, the Mary Rose and Dockyard Apprentice. Visit individual attractions or take a guided tour round the harbour.
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Daily
The Spinnaker Tower rises 170 metres above Portsmouth Harbour and Gunwharf Quays. The cutting-edge landmark pierces the city's skyline, offering sensational views of the harbour, Solent coastline and the city itself.
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Daily
The South Downs are a 379-square-mile range of chalk hills stretching from Beachy Head to Winchester, designated a Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty in 1966. A 161km national trail, the South Downs Way, follows old droving trails across this chalk ridge and through the undulating chalk valleys. With signposted routes for walkers, cyclists and horse riders, this beautiful stretch of countryside is easily accessed by public transport from Brighton.
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Daily
The Royal Navy Submarine Museum in Gosport, just a few minutes by ferry from Portsmouth, offers the chance to step onboard a real submarine and learn what life is like stuck in cramped conditions with enemy ships nearby, as well as to hear heroic tales and learn about the lives of the crew.
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Daily
This museum in Gosport traces the history of naval firepower. It's not the best place for pacifists or those of a nervous disposition, as visitors come face to face with the atom bomb, the Gatling Gun and the Exocet missile.
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Weekends only
Brighton's firework spectacular at Hove's Nevill Sports Ground promises 25 minutes of colourful and noisy explosions choreographed to a musical soundtrack. This year's event is organised in conjunction with the Argus Appeal.
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Nov 2013 (annual)
The Friends Life T20 begins with a group format in June, before quarter finals in July and Finals Day at Southampton's Rose Bowl in August. Sussex Sharks play their home games at Hove and Arundel.
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Jun - Aug 2013 (annual)
Hove hosts a film festival with a difference. The 3-day Oska Bright Film Festival, at The Old Market, features screenings and film-making workshops, solely dedicated to people with learning difficulties who wish to enter the wonderful world of film-making.
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Nov 2013 (annual)
Brighton Fashion Week brings cutting-edge local designers, press and fashionistas to Hilton Brighton Metropole and Brighton Corn Exchange for catwalk shows and a free fashion emporium. The annual event celebrates the diversity of Brighton fashion.
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May - Jun 2013 (annual)
Forget the catwalk - it's the sort of models you make and operate that are on show at Modelworld at the Brighton Centre. Roaming robots, miniature railways and radio-controlled cars are to be found alongside demonstrations and a huge modelling workshop.
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Feb 2013 (annual)
Ranging from textile arts to beading, the Creative Stitches and Hobbycrafts Show at the Brighton Centre displays a huge array of new and established crafts. Enthusiasts can also take advantage of informative workshops and talks.
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May 2013 (annual)
Preston Manor - a perfectly preserved Edwardian manor house open to the public - has over 20 rooms to explore across four floors. It feels as if the family have just popped out and you are snooping around their home.
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Apr - Sep 2013; not Mon (annual)
Preston Park covers 63 acres, with a formal rose garden, six bowling greens and 12 tennis courts, plus a children's playground, a croquet lawn, a garden for the blind and a small pond with stepping stones.
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Daily
The North Laine shopping area is the reason Brighton has a reputation for quirky owner-run shops. With outlets selling everything from percussion instruments to crystals, juggling balls and Latin American furniture, shopping here is an integral part of Brighton's appeal.
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Daily
Brighton's biggest gay club, Revenge is an award-winning venue in a superb location that packs out weekly with a variety of nights.
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Daily
Komedia is a popular arts venue in the North Laine cultural district in Brighton. Divided into two areas, Komedia Upstairs presents theatre, cabaret, music and children's shows, while Komedia Downstairs is home to the Krater Comedy Club.
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Daily
One of the most anticipated mountain festivals, The Banff Mountain Film Festival sets off on a world tour, visiting 30 different countries. Catch it at the Komedia Club, Brighton for some jaw-dropping and thought-provoking features.
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Mar 2013 (annual)
Screamers is Brighton's monthly gay comedy night, often featuring Tina C, the country & western drag star who introduces a star-studded bill.
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Jan 2013 (monthly)
Brighton Museum and Art Gallery is situated in the city's cultural heart, opposite the Royal Pavilion. Inside, it boasts fine collections of fashion, art and design and an impressive display of Art Deco and Art Nouveau items and design.
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Daily; not Mon
Celebrate Christmas at The Royal Pavilion in Brighton. Fairytale characters welcome visitors, who can wind their way through the palace's surreal splendor before meeting the big man himself. Father Christmas has a gift for every child that visits him. Advance booking is recommended.
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Dec 2013 (annual)
Just behind Brighton's seafront, The Royal Pavilion rises like a mirage of Eastern exoticism. Inspired by India's Mughal architecture, the Pavilion is set in lush gardens, and the ornate interior features gilded dragons, carved palm trees and imitation bamboo staircases.
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Daily
The Brighton Toy and Model Museum houses the priceless tin-plate O-Gauge working railway, along with 10,000 other exhibits.
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Daily; not Mon or Sun
Brighton Dome's Corn Exchange is again a hive of creativity with Made, Brighton's Design and Craft Fair. One hundred contemporary designers and craftsmen showcase their handiwork and sell their wares directly to the public. Textiles, jewellery, ceramics and more are on show.
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Nov 2013 (annual)
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