As a little bit woman I cherished visiting castles, historic homes and forests. I nonetheless do! That’s why I notably love journeys to Sussex. Right here’s what we received as much as throughout our final go to, in addition to some additional concepts for issues to do in Sussex with youngsters so as to add to your bucket checklist.
Need extra concepts for household holidays and days out? Learn my suggestions for smashing household journey and join my publication.
Discover extra days out in England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Eire in my massive spherical up of 101 UK sights for households.
Days out in Sussex for households
Whether or not you need to calm down on the seaside, uncover a number of the south coast of England’s most historic websites or expertise its greatest household sights, right here’s some inspiration for high days out with youngsters in Sussex:
1. Sussex Seashores for households
We do take pleasure in a day on the seaside and Sussex has some great decisions for households. One in all our absolute favourites is the Blue Flag West Wittering seaside in West Sussex. Grassy dunes make manner for a golden sandy shore line that’s excellent for sand fort constructing.
Simply remember that it’s a sizzling spot for solar seekers in the summertime months and the roads within the space are infamous for snarling up. My recommendation is to get there early!
In case you’re searching for comparable golden sands however on the East Sussex coast then you must go to Camber Sands close to Rye. There’s 5 miles of picture-perfect seaside to take pleasure in.
After all you may’t discuss Sussex seashores with out mentioning Brigton’s – it’s the place you’ll expertise the total British seaside expertise. Seize fish and chips on Palace Pier, rent a deck chair and have a stone skimming competitors.
Issues to do in East Sussex with youngsters
Right here’s some days out in East Sussex for households:
2. Lewes Citadel
Throughout our final journey to Sussex we had been staying in Lewes, so a go to to the Citadel was a should.
Lewes Citadel was one of many first to be constructed following the Norman conquest of 1066 and it’s stated to have the most effective surviving examples of a machicolation defence function. In case your youngsters like ugly particulars, that’s holes via which stones and sizzling liquids could possibly be poured onto attackers beneath.
The fort maintain has sensible views of the city and surrounding countryside, in addition to superbly saved gardens.
We discovered the steps as much as the Maintain had been steep, so Tin Field Tot’s pushchair was left with reception.
Discover out extra about visiting Lewes Citadel.
3. City Bounce
If the climate fails you head to City Bounce in Heathfield, East Sussex, the place your youngsters will discover 25,000 sq. toes of trampoline enjoyable from foam pits to climbing partitions and dodge ball.
Discover out extra about City Bounce.
4. East Hill Cliff Railway
For one thing a bit completely different go for a trip on the UK’s steepest cliff railway to Hastings Nation Park.
East Hill Cliff Railway opened in 1902 and is a enjoyable solution to go to the nation park which sits throughout the Excessive Weald Space of Excellent Pure Magnificence and overlooks Previous Hastings.
This funicular operated by cable with ascending and descending vehicles counterbalanced.
Discover out extra about driving East Hill Cliff Railway.
5. Anne of Cleves Home
Additionally in Lewes is Anne of Cleves Home. It was given to her as a part of her settlement from King Henry VIII when their marriage was annulled. However she by no means lived there. It now tells the story of Tudor life in Lewes and the historical past of the city.
It’s only a quick stroll from Lewes Citadel and you may get a mixed attraction ticket to go to each.
Discover out extra about visiting Anne of Cleves Home.
6. Ashdown Forest
In case your youngsters, otherwise you, love Winnie the Pooh then you should go to Ashdown Forest and play Pooh Sticks.
The unique Pooh Sticks bridge is a couple of 10 minute down hill stroll from the automotive park. After we visited it was a beautiful day and we weren’t alone in our quest to play Pooh sticks. I’d advocate accumulating just a few twigs alongside your manner as once you get to Pooh Bridge they turn into a rarity!
There are two walks on the Forest web site that assist you to select landmarks from A.A.Milne’s iconic tales.
Discover out extra about visiting Ashdown Forest.
7. Drusilla’s Park
Drusilla’s Park is an animal and household theme park in East Sussex with sights and rides for all ages. Meet Hiya Kitty in her toddler-friendly secret backyard or bounce on a number of the safari-themed rides.
For older youngsters there’s journey playgrounds and a climbing wall to check their nerves. If animals are extra your factor then take a wander across the park’s small zoo, which has greater than 60 completely different specifies and three walk-through enclosures.
Discover out extra about days out at Drusilla’s Park.
8. Battle Abbey
Take the youngsters to Battle Abbey at Hastings for a historical past lesson of nationwide significance. The Abbey, which is managed by English Heritage, stands on the location of the Battle of Hastings.
You may stroll the battle area to seek out sculptures of troopers from 1066, discover the Abbey ruins and discover out about life and warfare in Norman Britain within the customer centre.
Throughout college holidays there are battle reenactments and additional actions to convey the extraordinary historical past of the place alive.
Discover out extra about visiting Battle Abbey.
In case you take pleasure in visiting historic locations then why not additionally try Nationwide Belief locations in Sussex..
9. Brighton SEA LIFE Centre
In case you are searching for issues to do in Brighton with youngsters then the SEA LIFE Centre is a should.
Step contained in the world’s oldest aquarium for shut encounters with greater than 5,000 sea creatures. The Victorian constructing, goal constructed as a marine life attraction within the 1870s, has seven zones and experiences together with a glass backside boat providing you with a floor view of the ocean life beneath.
Discover out extra about visiting and the creatures you may meet at Brighton SEA LIFE Centre.
10. Woods Mill Nature Reserve
Woods Mill Nature Reserve is a compact haven providing households with the smallest of tots the possibility to benefit from the wildlife dwelling inside its 19 hectares.
In the course of the summer time months actions like pond dipping are laid on for households. Within the winter the reserve wardens run nature ‘tot classes’ so little ones can be taught primary woodcraft expertise and discover their pure environment.
There’s an all-weather, pushchair-friendly path across the lake or and a hen conceal.
Discover out extra about this time out in Sussex for households on the Wildlife Belief web site.
11. Newhaven Fort
This 150-year-old fort was one in all 72 commissioned by Palmerston in response to the specter of invasion by Napoleon within the nineteenth Century. Its design was distinctive on the time because it was constructed right into a cliff.
New Haven Fort continued to play a job within the defence of the UK till the Fifties.
Right this moment you may sit contained in the air raid shelter and take heed to a simulated World Battle Two air raid, in addition to discovering out how troopers lived and labored right here. Exhibitions on the fort additionally inform the story of the location’s defensive position relationship again to pre-Roman instances.
From the ramparts you’ve gotten panoramic views of the South Downs and Seaford Bay, and throughout the fort there are 10 acres of house for teenagers to run round, plus an journey playground.
Discover out extra about visiting Newhaven Fort.
12. British Airways i360
For the perfect vistas of the Sussex shoreline take a trip up within the British Airways i360 viewing tower.
The tremendous adventurous amongst you may attempt to iDrop expertise. This zip line begins within the i360 pod, 450ft within the air and lands you on Brighton seaside. It’s the best descent within the UK.
Discover out extra about visiting the i360 in Brighton.
13. The Bluebell Railway
Fingers up steam practice followers! The volunteer-run Bluebell Railway is true up your avenue. It travels alongside a part of the previous London to Brighton and South Coast Railway route stopping at 4 classic stations between Lewes and East Grinstead.
Every of the stations has its personal sights from youngsters’s play areas, to museums and engine sheds. Followers of Downton Abbey will recognise Horsted Keynes Station as a filming location for the sequence.
Discover out extra about Bluebell Railway days out with youngsters in Sussex.
14. Rampion Customer Centre
Be taught in regards to the Rampion wind farm on the free and accessible Guests Centre, which tells the story of offshore wind power and international local weather change.
It homes exhibitions, movies, VR expertise, and different interactive shows in order that guests can be taught extra about wind power and uncover the entire Rampion story since its inception over ten years in the past.
Discover out extra about visiting Rampion Customer Centre.
15. Knockhatch Journey Park
In case you’re searching for an all climate attraction the place there’s cute and cuddly animals in addition to thrilling journey play for teenagers of all ages Knockhatch is the place to go.
This East Sussex theme park has indoor play areas and rides in addition to livestock, a splash park, water coaster and journey playgrounds outdoor.
Discover out extra about issues to do at Knockhatch Journey Park.
Issues to do in West Sussex with youngsters
Right here’s a number of the high issues to do in West Sussex:
16. Arundel Citadel
A fort has stood excessive on this hill overlooking Arundel since Medieval instances. Nevertheless the fairy tale-like construction you see right now will not be unique – the fort has been rebuilt and remodelled over the centuries.
You may recognise the stately house you see right now from its massive display screen appearances within the 2009 movie The Younger Victoria and the 2017 DC movie Surprise Lady.
Guests can tour the state rooms, bedrooms, chapel and backyard in addition to the fort maintain. This time out is greatest suited to older youngsters with an curiosity in historical past who will be capable of be taught in regards to the fort’s hyperlinks to the Dukes of Norfolk, Mary Queen of Scots and Queen Victoria.
Discover out extra about visiting Arundel Citadel.
17. Fishbourne Roman Palace
For a style of Roman Britain and an opportunity to see the biggest mosaic flooring nonetheless in place within the UK, head to Fishbourne Roman Palace.
The spectacular mosaics are all that stay of this grand house that will have been timber constructed. Spot legendary creatures in amongst ornate patterns that had been created by grasp craftsmen from Rome.
In addition to strolling above these historic artworks there’s a number of different artefacts to find and gardens restored to how they might have appeared 2,000 years in the past.
Discover out extra about Fishbourne Royal Palace.
18. Huxley Birds of Prey
This rescue and rehabilitation centre is open to the general public to allow them to find out about buzzards, owls and falcons native to Britain.
The centre is ready to launch a lot of its rescue birds again into the wild. It additionally has feathered residents who guests can see up shut and runs intensive falconry shows to provide you an perception into their pure behaviour.
Discover out extra about visiting Huxley Birds of Prey.
19. Out of Bounds
For an action-packed time out close to Brighton head to Out of Bounds. This exercise centre has enjoyable issues to do for pre-schoolers via to teenagers and adults.
Take your decide from comfortable play, glow in the dead of night bowling, a clip and climb assault course, and laser tag contained in the centre. Or enterprise outdoor for a spherical on the 18-hole journey golf course with a safari theme. You may as well have a go at foot golf.
Discover out extra about youngsters actions at Out of Bounds.
20. Go Ape at Tilgate Park in Crawley
Swing, slide and climb via the timber on one of many two excessive ropes trails at Tilgate Park. There’s a Treetop Problem for adults and older youngsters in addition to a small person-friendly Treetop Journey.
Discover out extra and e-book Go Ape.
Extra issues to do in England
In case you are searching for extra issues to do near Sussex try these posts about locations that you may go to inside just a few hours:
Discover extra days out in England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Eire in my massive spherical up of 101 UK sights for households.
Are you able to advocate some other issues to do with youngsters in Sussex, England? I’d love to listen to about them.
Planning days out with youngsters in Sussex? Why not use Pinterest to save lots of this put up.
