Family days out in Sussex

Brilliant family days out in Sussex are easy to plan because there's so much choice! As well as the beaches, the Downs and the glorious country-side of the Sussex weald, there are zoos and activity centres, farms and nature reserves, toy museums and leisure centres - all offering a wide range of fun activities for all ages.

You could also check out our what's on for families in Sussex page; it's regularly updated with current events suitable for children.

Planning family days out in Sussex? Use this page and our 'What's on' section to help you (see button on left). If you've any questions please use our contact us form and we'll get back to you as soon as possible.

Your family day out in Sussex can start within about an hour of leaving London!

Directions by train
Catch one of the trains from London Victoria/King's Cross Thameslink or London Bridge (or from many of the stations south of these); they nearly all go to Brighton via East Croydon, Gatwick Airport, Haywards Heath and Hassocks, which is the stop you need if you're planning a family day out to the Sussex South Downs.

Directions by car
By car, the main London to Brighton A/M23 is direct and easy to follow. However, on beautiful sunny days and Bank Holidays it can get very busy, with long tailbacks leading into Brighton itself. You can always turn off the motorway at Pyecombe and travel through some of the beautiful old Downland villages.

Visit Washbrooks Farm in the historic village of Hurstpierpoint
A lovely family day out with younger kids! Washbrooks Farm is easy to reach from either the station in nearby Hassocks ( a 5 minute ride in the local taxi), or by car it's 5 minutes from the A23. There's an animal enclosure, both indoor and outdoor play areas, a cafe and tractor rides. Many happy hours were spent here when our own children were younger.
Open 9.30-5.30pm

Stoneywish Country Park in Ditchling
Similarly easy to reach, Stoneywish nature reserve and country park in Ditchling includes lakes teeming with birds and wildlife, a 'Shaker' style herb garden, 50 acres of fields with wonderful play equipment for children, and a tea room and shop. We absolutely lived here when our sons were little, especially as it was only a short walk from home. The new Tea Room offers great home cooking and is really child-friendly! The location of Stoneywish, in the heart of Sussex, just a short walk from Ditchling and the South Downs, means that a visit here will easily blend in with your plans for a lovely family day out in Sussex.

Lunch and picnics

Child-friendly food is available at all these places!

Drusilla's Zoo and activity centre - about 12 miles east of Brighton
About half an hour's drive from this part of Sussex (take A27 from the junction with the A/M23 just north of Brighton) is this great Zoo and children's activity centre near the delightful Sussex village of Alfriston. This was definitely one of the most popular day's out with our kids when they were younger - a full day here was never quite enough. Even in the rain they loved it because there were so many fun activities to get involved in, including the indoor barn area with its swinging tyres. Drusilla's is a real must for every family with young children and offers a memorable family day out in the heart of Sussex.

Bentley Wildfowl and Motor Museum
Also about half an hour's drive east is this delightful museum and wildlife centre, offering tea rooms, a shop, formal gardens, woodland trails, a collection of wildfowl, a children's adventure playground, motor museum and a collection of antique art ... something for everyone, from little kids to Grannie and Granddad. This venue offers another lovely family day out in Sussex.

Bluebell Railway
Further north, the Bluebell Railway is fabulous for all kids - big and small and makes a great day or half-day out. The volunteer run Bluebell Line was the UK's first preserved standard gauge passenger railway, re-opening part of the Lewes to East Grinstead line of the old London Brighton & South Coast Railway in 1960. Since then it has developed into one of the largest tourist attractions in Sussex, yet it still remains true to its objectives of the preservation for posterity of a country branch line, its steam locomotives, coaches and goods stock, signalling systems, stations and operating practices.

You can also combine your train ride with a visit to the lovely Sheffield Park.

RSPB Kittiwake colony at Seaford
Every spring and summer, kittiwakes visit our shores to build their nests and raise young. Get incredible close-up views of these medium-sized, elegant gulls, and their adorable chicks, at possibly the UK's most accessible kittiwake colony. There are telescopes and binoculars available for free use at the viewpoint.

Staff and volunteers will be at the viewpoint daily, 10 am-5 pm. For further info visit the RSPB website or telephone: 01273 775333

Want an indoor activity? Why not try Brighton Sealife Centre?
With over 150 marine species and 57 displays, this is heaven for kids! Situated on sea front at Brighton, just by the pier, this is a great family day out. If you're feeling brave, you could then tackle Brighton's famous Pier. Just near the Sealife Centre, is the world famous, Harry Ramsden's Fish and Chip Restaurant. If you're going to visit Brighton then you'll need to stay on the A/M23 or the train until you reach this lively city. Make sure that you add The Brighton Sealife Centre to your list of great ideas for family days out in Sussex.

Volks Railway, Brighton
This is an absolute 'must' for any family visiting Brighton; I remember going on this lovely little train when I was young. The Volks Railway was the first public electric railway in the world. It was opened on 4 August 1883 by Magnus Volk, the man who designed and built the railway from scratch. Today the railway can carry up to eighty passengers along the beach for one and a quarter miles. The trains operate weekdays from 10am to 5pm, and until 6pm on weekends and bank holidays, in the summer. For 2008 the season commences on Friday 21 March and finishes on Sunday 14 September. Four trains run every hour between Black Rock and Brighton Pier.

The 125th anniversary celebrations will take place on Sunday 3 August.

The Royal Pavilion, Brighton
This is a wonderful place to take kids because it is so totally different to anywhere they will have visited before. Originally a farmhouse, between 1815 to 1823 John Nash used new technology to transform the Pavilion into the Indian style building that exists today. It is such a bizarre mixture of highly ornate decoration and furnishings that the whole family will love visiting the Pavilion. The Kitchens are especially fascinating.

October to March 10.00am-5.15pm (last tickets at 4.30pm)
April to September 9.30am-5.45pm (last tickets at 5.00pm)
Closed from 2.30pm on 24 December and all day on 25 & 26 December