Plan your next family adventure in Sussex
Image: Sarah Sheldrake
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Image: Sarah Sheldrake
Families looking to escape the everyday can find a feast of welcoming attractions and activities in our sunny slice of Sussex. From historical adventures to wildlife wonders, there’s no excuses for boredom here…
Packed-full of family friendly activities and things to experience, Chichester is a perfect location for school holidays or weekend breaks. Discover modern art to inspire little minds, bring history to life at our museum or in our Cathedral, enjoy some outstanding theatre, or let off some steam with bowling, bouncing, watersports, cycling or walking, and in our beautiful parks and green spaces. Uncover local wildlife on a canal experience and refuel at our range of welcoming cafés and restaurants. Check out our ultimate guide to entertaining children in Chichester here.
Midhurst’s location at the centre of the South Downs National Park offers endless opportunities for children to burn off energy on foot or by bike. Discover interactive sculpture trails, imposing ruins and get closer to nature. A short drive away, meet a friendly deer herd before diving into an adventure playground at Sky Park Farm or peek into restored rural buildings at the Weald & Downland Living Museum, and don’t forget to check out what could be the world’s smallest museum in the centre of Midhurst.
If you’re looking for family friendly attractions in West Sussex then look no further than Selsey. Home to great beaches, Selsey Bill and Selsey Lifeboat Station, plus of course the limitless fun on offer at Seal Bay Resort there’s plenty to entertain children (and adults!) of all ages. Why not make a week of it, there’s plenty to do!
Situated amongst beautiful Sussex countryside, Petworth offers boundless places for families to get outside, run and explore and places where the past is conjured into life. Petworth House and Park is a must-visit, with the wide-open spaces of parkland and ancient trees making a perfect playground – will you spot the herd of deer that live in the park? Explore the winding lanes of the town and see what treasures can be found in the welcoming cafes.
It’s no surprise that families have flocked to The Witterings for generations. Home to one of the country’s most beautiful sandy beaches and a host of fun water sports to enjoy for all ages, there really is something for everyone. But it’s not just the summer months that offers entertainment for all the family. Visit off peak to experience life in The Witterings without the crowds, stunning views and unspoilt coastline as far as the eye can see.
The pretty villages of Bosham, Fishbourne, and Itchenor situated on the edge of Chichester Harbour make the perfect base from which to enjoy sailing and other water sports like canoeing or SUP, as well as exploring the city of Chichester and the beaches of East and West Wittering. Nearby Cobnor Activities Centre offers courses and holiday activities for children aged 8-17.
For a day out which lifts history off the page, bring the family to Arundel. This historic town is home to the magnificent Arundel Castle where you’ll be immersed in over 1000 years of history and the Arundel Museum which tells the story of the town from Roman times to today. Explore Arundel Wetlands to witness 30 species of wildfowl from around the world – catch a glimpse of a kingfisher, meet the pelicans and enjoy a boat safari.