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Ashdown Llama Farm, Wych Cross, East Sussex
Ashdown Llama Farm is situated by the A22 at Wych Cross near Forest Row (1/4 mile south of
junction with the A275). You can see breeding groups of llamas and alpacas as well as goats and sheep.
The farm is centred around three restored 18th century barns and there are lovely views over the surrounding countryside and Ashdown forest. There is a marked farm trail, a "world of wool" museum, picnic area, and tea room. The gift shop sells a wide range of "llamarabilia" as well as "Spirit of the Andes" exclusive knitwear in Alpaca and Pima
cotton.
Open Apr-Sep, 11am-5pm, closed Mondays except Bank Hols.
Oct-Mar, Sats & Suns only, 11am-4pm
Telephone 01825 712040 Map Location Back
Battle of Hastings, Battlefield and Abbey, Battle High Street, East Sussex
Step back into time to October 14th 1066. Walk the battlefield and with the aid of the free interactive audio tour discover what
really happened on that fateful day. Wander through the magnificent ruins of the abbey and visit the new 1066 exhibition. Also see the
abbey life museum housed in the gatehouse. Children's themed play area.
Open all year, Apr-Nov daily 10am-6pm (or dusk in October)
Nov-Mar daily 10am-4pm (closed 24-26 December)
Telephone 01424 773792 Back
Bentley Wildfowl & Motor Museum, Halland, East Sussex
Beautiful swans, geese and ducks, a country house and gardens, gleaming Veteran, Edwardian and Vintage cars and motorcycles, Wildlife and Forestry Trail in Glyndebourne Wood, and an adventure playground for children. Enjoy delicious lunches and cream teas at the
licenced tearoom or picnic under the trees.
The gift shop includes work by The Guild of Sussex Craftsman and a "badger sett" can be found in the education centre along with an audio-visual system. Guide dogs may be brought onto the Estate but regretfully not taken to the Wildfowl Reserve. Events and "History of Bentley" exhibition.
Open daily Mar-Oct, 10.30am-4.30pm
Telephone 01825 840573 Back
Bewl Water, Lamberhurst, East Sussex
Provides facilities for scuba-diving, fly-fishing, canoeing and other watery diversions, but the picnic areas (and restaurant), adventure playground and nature trails make it ideal for a great family day out.
Telephone 01892 890661 Map Location Back Bewl Water Image
Bodiam Castle, near Robertsbridge, East Sussex
A medieval castle built for comfort and defence. Voted 'one of the top six castles for kids' you can climb the spiral staircases to the battlements and spend all day exploring it's nooks and crannies. The education base with it's hands-on resources can be booked by schools and youth groups. A popular filming location, it may be closed for brief
periods. Licenced restaurant and burger bar.
Open daily Feb-end Oct 10am-6pm, Nov-Jan Tues-Sun 10am-dusk
(Closed 24/25/26 Dec, open New Years Day)
Telephone 01580 830436 Back
Borde Hill, Haywards Heath, Sussex
Boarde Hill is an English garden of great botanical importance in the finest romantic tradition. Created at the turn of the 19th century, it contains an immense diversity of species, from early spring-flowering bulbs to the full glory of the rhododendrons
and azaleas in May and June.
The Stephenson Clarke family have lived at Boarde Hill since 1893. Colonel Stephenson Clarke established Boarde Hill's splendid collection of plants and trees, by funding plant-hunting expeditions to China, Burma, Tasmania and the Andes.
Telephone 01444 450326 weekdays, 01444 412151 weekends Map Location Back
Brighton Marina, Brighton, East Sussex
Imagine a seaside village with all it's peaceful boatscapes and wide open spaces, with a quayside shopping centre and an exciting choice of cafes, restaurants and bars, with a range of outdoor and indoor activities including strolling the harbour walkway and breakwaters, fishing, sightseeing by boat, sailing, bowling in our 26-lane centre and
watching the latest blockbuster in the 8-screen Virgin cinema.
Where you can do your weekly shopping in the Asda superstore or simply sit by the quayside and watch the world go by. That's Brighton Marina. This is the UK's largest marina, where entry and parking is free.
Open daily all year round
Telephone 01273 693636 Back
Drusillas Zoo Park, Alfriston, East Sussex
Masses of hands-on activities for children and a wide variety of animals in cleverly designed natural environments, including a walk-through Bat Enclosure and Pet World, plus Keeper Talks, Animal Encounters and the Discovery Centre.
Playland includes the Toddlers Indoor Village and Stables, an amazing "hands-on" water wheel as well as masses of climbing, sliding, jumping and swinging fun in over an acre of the park.
Other attractions include Zoolympics running track, Panning for Gold, Train, Wacky Workshop, Masai Exhibition, Bouncy Castle, beautiful gardens, Explorers Restaurant, Oasis Cafe and five shops including Drusillas Pantry, Teddy's Jungle Safari and Mungo's Trading Post. Disabled access throughout and low-level viewing.
Open daily all year round, 10am-5pm except 24/25/26 December
Telephone 01323 870234 Back
Eastbourne, East Sussex
This elegant and award winning resort offers plenty of entertainment whatever the weather. The sweeping seafront with it's three-tier promenade features the magnificent Carpet Gardens, Victorian Pier and Bandstand. Explore on the Dotto Train or relax on the beach.
Children will love Treasure Island, an adventure play area, and the Sovereign Centre leisure complex with it's four pools, flumes, waves and much more. The Redoubt, a Napoleonic fortress, houses three military museums. The Towner Art Gallery and local History Museum offers a fascinating outing. With four theatres, a superb marina and many special events throughout the year, there's always plenty to do in Eastbourne. Back
Fort Fun Amusement Park, Eastbourne, East Sussex
Adventure for all the family at Fort Fun in Eastbourne, a 2 acre family fun park. Enjoy the thrills of a six-lane slide
that's as tall as a house, junior roller coaster, an 18-hole American Adventure golf course. Drive one of the Formula One Go-Karts, and if it's wet, the kids can use Rocky's which is a soft indoor adventure play area.
Open daily 10am-6pm. Fort Fun is seasonal
Telephone 01323 642833 Map Location Back
Groombridge Place Gardens, Groombridge, East Sussex
Beautiful formal gardens boast a series of "rooms", together with extensive herbaceous borders and the classical 17th century moated manor as it's backdrop. High above the walled garden lies The Enchanted Forest. Here are secret, mysterious gardens to challenge and delight your imagination.
Open Mar-Oct, 9am-6pm
Telephone 01892 863999 Back
Herstmonceux Castle & Gardens, Herstmonceux, East Sussex
Experience the peace and tranquility of 550 acres of glorious woodland and gardens surrounding a 15th century moated castle. Visit the Gift Shop, Tea Room, Visitors' Centre and the children's Woodland Play Area. Guided castle tours (extra charge), telephone for details and confirmation
Open daily Mar-Oct, 10am-6pm
Telephone 01323 833816 Back
Kent & East Sussex Steam Railway, Northiam, East Sussex
Steam trains from Northiam on Britain's premier rural railway. Ride in Victorian carriages through 7 miles of beautiful countryside from Northiam to the historic Kentish town of Tenterden. Pay once and travel all day. Refreshment rooms, video theatre, museum, buffet cars, disabled facilities, gift shop, play area, special group packages, luxury dining train - dinners, lunches and teas (booking essential). Easy to find on A28.
For train times or free timetable telephone 01589 765155. Back
Knockhatch Adventure Park, Hailsham, East Sussex
Birds of prey centre, hands-on-farm, soft play, adventure play, giant sky leap slide, crazy golf, boating lake, laser game, grass karting, paintball, clay shooting, archery, farmhouse restaurant.
Open weekends and school holidays Apr-Sep, 10am-5.30pm
Telephone 01323 442051 Back
Lewes, The County Town of East Sussex
At the heart of Sussex, romantic Lewes presides over the surrounding Downland with an air of traditional elegance. Savour the warren of tiny twittens and medieval streets lined with antique, craft and speciality shops. Admire a medley of architectural styles and follow in the footsteps of many of the world's most innovative artists, authors and revolutionaries.
Explore the 17th century gardens of Southover Grange and discover Sussex Past's imposing Norman Castle and magnificent Anne of Cleves House. Back
Michelham Priory, Upper Dicker, East Sussex
The Priory is approached through a 14th century gatehouse. The picturesque gardens are enhanced by a working watermill, physic garden, smithy, rope museum and the dramatic Elizabethan Great Barn, venue for art exhibitions, theatrical productions and functions. Licenced restaurant and tea rooms.
Open Mar-Oct, Wed-Sun 10.30am-5pm
Telephone 01323 844224 Back
Miniature Steam Railway Adventure Park, Eastbourne, East Sussex
Ride for nearly one mile behind scale coal-fired miniature steam locomotives around a 5 acre lake. Fun or relaxation all day. Adventure playground, indoor model railways, garden railway, steam or diesel train journeys, lineside wlk, picnic areas, Thomas the Tank Engine souvenir/gift shop, day ticket angling, cafe and prize winning tea gardens. Free entry, free parking.
Open Mar-Oct. Follow signs to Eastbourne Industrial Estates, to Lottbridge Drove, then brown signs to Mini Railway.
Telephone 01323 520229 Back
Newhaven Fort, Newhaven, East Sussex
This 10 acre Victorian fortress commands spectacular views over Newhaven Harbour and really brings history to life. Journey from Napoleon to WW2 through exciting life-size exhibits. Explore underground tunnels, stand by the big guns on the cliff top ramparts, and for children, a challenging mission trail and under 12's play area.
Open daily Apr-Oct, 10.30am-6pm
Telephone 01273 517622 Map Location Back
Paradise Park, Newhaven, East Sussex
The internationally renowned Botanic Gardens are brimming with treasures from around the world. The complex contains superb collections of desert flora and unusual plants from temperate and rainforest regions. Thousands of shrubs and flowering trees make a backdrop for waterfalls and lakes teeming with fish. Paradise Park Garden Centre is one of the largest in the south with everything for the gardening enthusiast. All areas are flat and wheelchair accessible.
Enjoy life-size moving dinosaurs, interactive displays, and one of the most comprehensive collections of fossils, minerals and
crystals in the south. Sussex in Miniature tells the history of Sussex with handcrafted models set in delightful gardens. There are rides and amusements for tots to early teens, crazy golf, a miniature railway and much more. Full catering facilities.
Open 7 days a week, all year
Telephone 01273 616006 Map Location Back
Pevensey Castle, Pevensey, East Sussex
Discover 2000 years of history at this impressive castle with the aid of a free audio tour. Find out about it's famous visitor in 1066 and it's role in WW2. Explore the battlements, towers and dungeons of the medieval castle ruins. Perfect for picnics or you can eat in the Castle Cottage tea room.
Open Mar-Sep 10am-6pm, Oct 10am-5pm, Nov-Mar Sun 10am-4pm
Telephone 01323 762604 Back
Pooh Corner, High Street, Hartfield, East Sussex
All the "Enchanted Places" including the famous "Pooh Sticks Bridge" are found in the Parish of Hartfield which stretches deep into the
picturesque Ashdown Forest.
When AA Milne wrote Winnie-the-Pooh stories back in the 1920's his son, the young Christopher Robin, visited the shop every week with his Nanny.
This little shop, built three centuries ago, has the largest selection of "Poohphernalia" to be found anywhere in the world. The Village has two pubs, a tea room (each with a restaurant and car park), a general store, and a post office.
Open Mon-Sat, 9am-5pm. Sun & Bank Hols, 1.30pm-5pm
Telephone 01892 770872 Back
Stade Family Fun Park, Old Town, Seafront, Hastings, East Sussex
A warm welcome awaits you at The Stade, the amusement park that really is fun for all the family. There are exciting rides for all ages, a great range of cafes and kiosks and a super indoor play area, so you can have fun whatever the weather.
Situated right on Hastings seafront, The Stade Family Fun Park is in the heart of the picturesque Old Town. Why not explore the winding streets and quaint shops or take the East Hill lift up to the Country Park to enjoy the magnificent views. Within a few hundred yards of The Stade there are a number of other attractions to visit, such as The Sealife Centre, The Shipwreck Heritage Centre and
the Fisherman's Museum.
Open 11am-10pm high season, 11am-6pm low season
Telephone - 01424 715133 Back
Stockcars, Bangers & Hotrods, Hailsham, East Sussex
From Speedworth International - the mind-bending speed of the stockcars and hotrods, the hilarious antics and crasharama of the bangers. Great family entertainment. This quarter-mile raceway is situated in lovely open countryside, car park, covered stands.
Good catering and licenced bar facilities. Enjoy motor racing of all kinds with Speedworth International at Arlington Stadium, signposted just off the A22 south of Hailsham.
Open every Wednesday, Jun-Sep at 8pm
Information hotline - 0336 421621
On raceday - 01323 841642 Back
The Bluebell Railway, Sheffield Park, East Sussex
The Bluebell Railway operates steam trains between Sheffield Park and Kingscote. Sheffield Park Station is situated close to Sheffield Park Gardens (NT) on the A275 between Lewes and East Grinstead.
The station has parking for cars and coaches, locomotive sheds, a museum, buffet and shop. Horsted Keynes station has car parking, a large picnic field and a Victorian licenced buffet. Bus service 473 connects East Grinsted and Kingscote stations. Buses connect with main line rail services from East Croydon and London Victoria. Please note
there is no car parking at Kingscote.
Trains run: weekends throughout the year, daily May-Sep and during school holidays. Santa special services in December.
Pullman dining trains Saturday evenings, Sunday lunchtime or charter.
Telephone 01825 722008. Talking timetable 01825 722370. Back
Wakehurst Place, Ardingly, East Sussex
Wakehurst Place, managed by the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, is an inspiration of colour throughout the seasons. Woodlands contain native and exotic temperate trees from across the world, including birch, southern beech, giant redwood and
Japanese maple. The woodland walk is particularly fine in summer, with native orchids and other wild
flowers.
The Water Gardens display a rich mixture of plantings including large groups of blue poppies and giant Himalayan lilies. An elevated walkway through the wetland habitat allows you to observe the wildlife and plants of the Sussex Weald. Ornamental gardens surround a fine 16th century mansion, including walled gardens, a winter garden and a
wonderful spring border around the mansion pond. The circular route winds through more than 170 acres of ornamental gardens, woodland, wetland and meadow. Shop, restaurant and facilities for the disabled
Open daily from 10am-dusk
(Closed 25th Dec and New Years Day)
Telephone 01444 894066 Back
Yesterday's World, Battle, East Sussex
Experience a bygone age at one of the most unusual places to visit in south east England. Push button commentaries will guide you through the many shops and room settings, crammed with nostalgic exhibits from 1850 to 1960. Enjoy the country garden, play village, activity area, miniature golf, video theatre and interactive exhibition, alfresco terrace cafe and picnic area.
Open daily from 10am-6pm
Telephone 01424 775378 Back
