Excellence Luxury Villas · West Sussex
Luxury Holiday Rentals in West Sussex
Sea-view houses on the Manhood Peninsula and country homes beneath the South Downs, an easy run from London
As featured in
Tidal harbours, chalk downland and a racecourse on the hill
West Sussex is the quieter half of the county, and the people who know it tend to like it that way. The coast runs from the sailing creeks of Chichester Harbour to the shingle at Selsey Bill. Behind it the South Downs rise in long green folds, with flint villages, country houses and some very good pubs tucked beneath them. At the centre sits Chichester, a small cathedral city with Roman walls and a theatre that draws audiences from London.
Our West Sussex collection runs to 100+ properties. Most are by the sea, with modern beachfront houses and apartments in Selsey and family houses with harbour views around Bosham and Nutbourne. Inland there are flint cottages near Amberley and larger country houses near Petworth and Chichester, some with pools and tennis courts.
Below is a guide to the coast, the Downs and the best time of year to come.
West Sussex at a glance
- Properties
- 100+ houses, cottages and apartments, with up to 11 bedrooms
- Guide prices
- Typically £2,900 to £7,100 a week, from around £2,300
- Best areas
- Selsey and the Witterings, Bosham and Chichester Harbour, Petworth and Amberley on the Downs
- Highlights
- Goodwood, West Wittering beach, Petworth House, Arundel Castle and the South Downs Way
- Getting there
- Trains from London Victoria to Chichester take around an hour and a half; Gatwick is within the county
Browse all 100+ properties in West Sussex
Villa numbers and guide prices are updated daily from our live collection.
House Helm Goring West Sussex: Luxury 11-Bedroom House with Hot Tub & Beachfront in West Sussex11 bedrooms
House Helm Rowlands Chichester: Luxury 8-Bedroom Villa with Hot Tub & Beachfront Setting – Chichester8 bedrooms
Cottage Helm Fraxfield West Sussex: Luxury 6-Bedroom Villa with Parking & Family-Friendly Features – West Sussex6 bedrooms
House Safran Hunston Chichester: Luxury 3-Bedroom Villa with Family-Friendly Amenities in Chichester3 bedroomsWhere to stay in West Sussex
Selsey for beachfront houses and sea views, Chichester and Bosham for the harbour and the city, and the South Downs around Petworth and Amberley for country walks and village pubs.
Shingle, crab boats and a very big sky
Selsey sits at the tip of the Manhood Peninsula, a flat, low-lying stretch of land south of Chichester, with sea on three sides. Fishing boats still work from the beach, and Selsey crab and lobster turn up on menus all along the coast. At Selsey Bill the sea wall gives long views across to the Isle of Wight.
Just to the west lies the RSPB's Medmerry reserve, good for wading birds and quiet walks. Further round are the Witterings, where West Wittering offers one of the best sandy beaches in the south of England, with kitesurfers on breezy days and dunes at East Head.
A cathedral city and its creeks
Chichester is a small, walkable city built on a Roman plan. It has a Norman cathedral with a separate bell tower, Pallant House Gallery with its strong collection of modern British art, and the Festival Theatre, whose summer season is reason enough to visit. Fishbourne Roman Palace, just outside the city, has some of the finest Roman mosaics in Britain.
West of the city, Chichester Harbour is a protected landscape of creeks, saltmarsh and sailing clubs. Bosham is the village everyone photographs. Its Saxon church is ancient, and its waterside road floods at high tide, as visitors who park there sometimes find out.
Chalk hills, flint villages and fine country houses
The South Downs National Park covers much of inland West Sussex. The South Downs Way runs along the ridge, and Chanctonbury Ring, the beech-crowned hill fort above Washington, is one of its best viewpoints. Amberley is a thatched village below the chalk, with a castle and a lovely stretch of the River Arun.
Petworth is a small town of antique shops beside Petworth House, a National Trust house with a deer park landscaped by Capability Brown and a celebrated collection of Turners. Arundel Castle is a short drive away, and Cowdray Park near Midhurst hosts polo through the summer.
Racing, motor sport and English sparkling wine
Goodwood, just north of Chichester, sets the rhythm of the summer. The Festival of Speed comes in July, Glorious Goodwood follows on the racecourse at the turn of July and August, and the Revival brings vintage cars and period dress in September. Book early for any of the three, because the county fills up.
The chalk soil here also produces some of England's best sparkling wine, with Nyetimber among the leading estates. Late spring to September is the main season, while autumn is lovely on the Downs. Our concierge can arrange Goodwood tickets, vineyard tours, sailing on the harbour and tables at country pubs.
Ask our conciergeFeatured properties in West Sussex
Manor Bracklesham Selsey: Luxury 4-Bedroom Apartment with Seaview & Pool – Selsey4 bedrooms · sleeps 8From £10,815 a week
House Bosham Chichester: 5-Bedroom Luxury Villa with Seaview – Chichester5 bedrooms · sleeps 8From £10,367 a week
Elizabethan Manor Sussex7 bedrooms · sleeps 14From £10,000 a week
Almond Barn United Kingdom5 bedrooms · sleeps 10From £9,783 a week
Supernova United | 5-Bedroom Villa in Chichester Bosham5 bedrooms · sleeps 13From £9,755 a week
House Lysias Bracklesham Selsey: Luxury 4-Bedroom Villa with Heated Pool & Sauna – Selsey4 bedrooms · sleeps 9From £9,695 a week
House Helm Rowan Chichester: Luxury 4-Bedroom Villa with Private Parking – Chichester4 bedrooms · sleeps 8From £8,708 a week
House Dell Quay Chichester: Elegant 4-Bedroom Apartment with Seaview – Chichester4 bedrooms · sleeps 6From £8,708 a weekWhy book your house in West Sussex with Excellence Luxury Villas
The right house, not the nearest one
In West Sussex a few miles can take you from a beachfront house in Selsey to a flint cottage beneath the Downs, and we know which houses are right on the sand and which are a short walk from a good pub. With 100+ properties in West Sussex, we can usually find the house that suits you rather than the one that happens to be free. Search by size, pool, location and price, or tell us what you have in mind and we will put together a shortlist.
Book direct
You book with us directly, with no booking fees. Questions about access, parking, pool heating or how far it really is to the nearest beach go to people who can find out the answer.
A concierge who knows the territory
Goodwood tickets, sailing and boat trips in Chichester Harbour, vineyard tours, private chefs, restaurant and pub reservations, and transfers from London and Gatwick. Our concierge team arranges all of it, leaving you free to decide which terrace to sit on.
A house for every kind of party
Couples, families with small children, three generations together or a crowd of friends celebrating a birthday: we match the house to the group, down to the number of bathrooms and whether the pool is fenced.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is the best place to stay in West Sussex?
Selsey and the Witterings suit those who want a house on the beach, and Chichester and Bosham put you close to the harbour, the city and Goodwood. Petworth and Amberley on the South Downs are best for walking, country houses and village pubs.
When is the best time to visit West Sussex?
Late spring to September is the main season for the beaches and sailing. July and September are busiest because of the Goodwood events. Autumn is quieter and very good for walking on the Downs.
What are the main Goodwood events?
The Festival of Speed is held in July, Glorious Goodwood races at the turn of July and August, and the Goodwood Revival in September. All three are popular, so book a house well in advance.
Can you arrange a private chef at a house in West Sussex?
Yes. Our concierge can arrange a private chef for a single dinner or your whole stay, along with cookery lessons, guided visits, transfers and restaurant reservations.
How much does a luxury propertie in West Sussex cost?
Across our 100+ properties in West Sussex, weekly rates typically range from £2,900 to £7,100, with the most affordable from around £2,300 a week and the largest estates well above. Prices depend on the size of the property, its location and the season, with July and August the most expensive. These are guide prices based on current listings; each property page shows its own rates for your dates.
How do I get to West Sussex from London?
Trains from London Victoria reach Chichester in around an hour and a half, and the drive takes about two hours depending on traffic. Gatwick airport is in the north of the county, and our concierge can arrange transfers.
Are there houses in West Sussex for large groups?
Yes. Our West Sussex collection includes properties with up to 11 bedrooms. Tell us the size of your party and the occasion, and we will send a shortlist that suits it.
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Find your house in West Sussex
100+ houses, cottages and apartments in West Sussex, booked direct with our concierge on hand