The West Sussex coast has been a popular seaside resort since the 1790's, when King George III sent his youngest daughter here to take the seawater cure and in the 19th century Oscar Wilde wrote 'The Importance of being Earnest' just down the road in Worthing. Today it's a lively tourist region, dotted with attractive villages and exciting towns, perfect for short breaks and an excellent base for exploring the rest of Sussex.

You will enjoy exploring the area which has a rich and lavish history that is reflected in elegant Georgian terraces, imposing Victorian avenues and the pedestrianised streets of the town centres, where you'll find all your favourite High Street names and specialist shops, plus pavement cafés. There's traditional seaside fun on the promenades and the piers of all the coastal towns here, beautiful parks and gardens, historic houses, ancient cathedrals, a Roman palace, nature reserves and boat trips are just a short distance away. For nightlife, choose from a range of lively restaurants and traditional pubs, see a great live show at the theatre, or visit one of the oldest cinemas in the country in nearby Worthing to see the latest blockbuster.

Lancing itself is a small, welcoming coastal town with excellent shopping, dining and activities. The larger towns of Worthing and Shoreham-by-Sea are both less than 2 miles from the park and provide an even broader range of activities, shopping, attractions and services. Lancing has a long history dating back to the Stone Age and is an ideal area for those wishing to explore the distant past. During the Bronze Age (1500 to 500 BC) a sacred place was made near Lancing clump and an incense cup and fragments of pottery from this spot are now in the British Museum. In Roman times, when Chichester became an important city, a road was constructed along the coastal plain through Lancing and Sompting. Part of it can still be traced at North Lancing by the name ‘The Street’.

Attraction in the area that are easily reached and offer great days out include:

Passies Pond
This is a day ticket fishery with a second lake for matches, offering Corporate days and junior teachings too. Recently awarded ‘Centre of Excellence’ status by the angling trades association for juniors; it has a tackle shop for all your basic needs on site, as well as a cafe. Passies Ponds offers quality coarse fishing in quiet surroundings with good views of the South Downs for both beginners and experts to enjoy. If required, tuition can also be included.

Coombes Farm Tours
Offering a guided tractor and trailer ride over 1000 acres of environmentally sensitive Southdowns at Coombes where the Passmore family have been farming for 100years. You can travel through 800 ewes and their lambs, 120 cows and their calves, past conservation areas for wildlife and wildflowers. See the working new pond. Also the arable crops of wheat and barley. Spectacular views out to sea and over the weald. Not forgetting the 11th century church with its famous paintings. In March see the lambs and calves being born. Lambing time 11th March - 21st April. August farm tour specials 2006 are Tuesdays at 2.30 and must be booked.

St. Mary’s House and Gardens
In nearby Bramber, you will find the remarkable St. Mary’s House and Gardens. An enchanting medieval pilgrim inn that is still a lived-in home, with atmospheric interiors, a unique Elizabethan 'Painted Room', charming gardens and the most amusing animal topiary. Morning coffee and country house teas are served in the Victorian Music Room and with a programme of concerts and garden events from May to the end of September, you have a lot of reasons to visit to 'The best example of late 15th century timber framing in Sussex'. "