Top family attractions in West Sussex

  1.  Bramber Castle – just a five minute drive from Steyning, the remains of this castle – built by the Normans – are perched on a high natural knoll overlooking the South Downs with the River Adur snaking below you. It’s a peaceful spot to while away an afternoon, picnicking and taking in the sights and sounds of the West Sussex countryside.
  2. Coombes Farm – a real working farm close to the imposing Lancing College, where the whole family can enjoy tractor rides out to the South Downs, a tour of the farm buildings and find out some fascinating facts about the ancient West Sussex landscape. During lambing season, you can come and watch baby lambs being born.
  3. Wakehurst Place – Owned by London’s Kew Royal Botanical Gardens, this sprawling country estate boasts formal and ornamental gardens, a kitchen garden, nature reserve, vast woodlands and diverse wildlife. It has a packed-programme of events for families throughout the year and is also home to the Millennium Seed Bank, the world’s largest wild plant seed bank.
  4. Fisher’s Farm – get away from it all and enjoy some good old-fashioned family fun at Fisher’s Farm Park, an award-winning farm five-minutes’ drive from Billingshurst. There’s outdoor play areas, huge jumping pillows, a Barrel Bug Safari ride that whizzes you around a race track at top speed, animal shows and handling, pony and tractor rides and much more.
  5. Fishbourne Roman Palace – Historians young and old will enjoy exploring the remains of this ancient palatial home. With an amazing collection of Roman mosaics and the largest Roman gardens found in the UK, you’ll have no trouble imagining Roman life.
  6. Cowdray Estate – centred around the pretty market town of Midhurst, the estate sprawls across much of the South Downs National Park. Covering 16,500 acres, of which 36% is woodland, there’s certainly plenty of opportunities to reconnect with nature. You can also sign up to the Bear Grylls Survival Academy, a 24-hour outdoor adventurewhere you and the family can learn extreme survival techniques.
  7. Wild Boar Wood Eco Camp – there’s nothing quite like camping to help you reconnect with nature (and each other). Here you can sleep under the stars in secluded pitches deep in the forest, enjoy real log fires and take in the tranquil, natural surroundings that are home to a whole host of wildlife. Bring your own tent or bed down in one of the pre-erected tents for a true taste of nature at this off-grid, eco-friendly campsite.
  8. Itchenor Sailing Club – the West Sussex coastline is simply stunning, with huge stretches of pristine sandy beaches and endless opportunities to sail, surf and swim. Itchenor is a popular sailing spot and this sailing club offers a family friendly welcome for those of all abilities and a chance to enjoy some family adventures on the water.
  9. Jack & Jill Windmills – from 2-5pm on most Sundays between May and September, you can seize the opportunity to step back more than 100 years and take a look around Jill, an authentic working corn windmill in the South Downs National Park. The perfectly preserved 19th century Jack & Jill windmills are an enduring West Sussex sight that should not be missed.
  10. Falconry Day at West Sussex Falconry – a great experience for the whole family, here you’ll get to handle these majestic birds up close and personal, discover different species of birds of prey and learn about the important conservation work that goes on at the centre. An affordable, hidden West Sussex gem that never gets too crowded.
Bramber castle in the winter with snow on the grass

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