Guides & Things to Do

Family-friendly guides, local tips and the best things to do across West Sussex.

Dogs playing on the lawn of a grand English country estate with ornate gates and a Regency mansion
Events & Entertainment

Goodwoof 2026: Everything You Need to Know

Goodwoof is set to return to the Goodwood Estate on 16-17 May 2026. Here is everything announced so far, from early bird tickets and the rescue dog parade to Jellycat exclusives and Barkitecture.

FamilyDog-FriendlyOutdoors
10 Feb 20268 minRead
Children playing outdoors on a sunny day in a West Sussex country park
Seasonal Guides

May Half-Term 2026 West Sussex: Days Out and Free Ideas

Schools across West Sussex break up on Friday 22 May for the spring half-term. Here are the best outdoor activities, beach days, farm parks and family events for the week of 25-30 May 2026.

FamilyKidsSeasonal
27 Feb 20269 minRead
Cars lined up at the Goodwood Festival of Speed hillclimb on a bright summer dayJeff Cooper / Unsplash
Events & Entertainment

Goodwood Festival of Speed 2026: Dates 9–12 July, Tickets & Tips

The 2026 Festival of Speed presented by Mastercard returns to Goodwood on 9 to 12 July with the theme "The Rivals: Epic Racing Duels", celebrating motorsport's greatest rivalries including Hunt vs Lauda and Ford vs Ferrari.

FamilyOutdoors
20 Feb 20268 minRead
A family on a sandy West Sussex beach on a bright summer day, children running toward the water
Seasonal Guides

Summer Holidays 2026: The Best Things to Do with Kids in West Sussex

Six weeks, one county, endless things to do. From Arundel's medieval jousting and Wakehurst's Henry Moore sculptures to West Wittering's sand dunes and Drusillas' Kids for £1 deal — here is your complete guide to summer 2026 in West Sussex.

FamilyKidsOutdoors
28 Feb 202621 minRead
A person on a high ropes course through a West Sussex woodland canopy
Events & Entertainment

Adventure Activities in West Sussex

From treetop adventures at Go Ape to paddleboarding on Chichester Harbour, West Sussex has a surprisingly good range of adventure activities for families and teenagers.

FamilyTeenagersOutdoors
15 May 20268 minRead
Medieval castle gatehouse archway in warm Sussex sandstone, with rolling green hills and sheep visible beyond on an overcast English afternoonWest Sussex Weekly
History & Heritage

Best Castles & Historic Days Out in West Sussex

West Sussex has over 3,000 listed buildings, six castles, and two Roman sites. From Arundel Castle to Fishbourne Roman Palace and the Weald & Downland Museum, this guide covers the best historic days out with honest notes on prices and what works for families.

Arts & CultureFamily
29 Mar 202611 minRead
Teenagers on a West Sussex coastal path looking out to sea on a bright summer afternoon
Seasonal Guides

20+ Things to Do with Teenagers in West Sussex — Days Out Ideas

Keeping teenagers entertained is a different challenge to toddlers. They want adrenaline, independence, and things that do not feel like "family days out". West Sussex has more options than you might think.

FamilyTeenagers
24 Mar 202612 minRead
Wide view of the South of England Showground at Ardingly, West Sussex, with green fields, event pavilions, and a large English sky
Events & Entertainment

South of England Showground Events 2026 — Ardingly Dates & Guide

The South of England Showground at Ardingly is West Sussex's most significant multi-event venue. Spring Live!, the South of England Show, the Ardingly Antiques Fair, and the Autumn Show — this is your guide to what's on and how to visit.

FamilyOutdoorsSeasonal
19 Mar 20265 minRead
Timber-framed historic barn at Weald and Downland Living Museum with chalk downland hills in the background
History & Heritage

Weald and Downland Living Museum: Day Out for Families

The Weald and Downland Living Museum near Chichester has over 50 historic buildings on 40 acres of South Downs landscape. This is the honest guide for families planning the day: what to expect, what it costs, and how to get there by bus.

FamilyHistory & HeritageDog-Friendly
19 Mar 20267 minRead
Pints and craft beer served in a West Sussex pub garden setting
Food & Drink

West Sussex Breweries and Taprooms: Where to Visit

Five brewery taprooms in West Sussex worth the drive — from Firebird's converted brickworks in Rudgwick to Arundel's town-centre taphouse. Hours, food, and honest visit notes.

Food & Drink
14 Mar 202610 minRead
A bright spring garden centre in West Sussex with outdoor plants, trolleys, shrubs, herbs and a welcoming cafe area
Food & Drink

Best Garden Centres and Nurseries in West Sussex

A practical directory of garden centres and nurseries across West Sussex — covering destination centres, independent nurseries, and plant-first options, with opening hours, food offers, and what each place is best suited to.

Family
12 Mar 202621 minRead
The East Beach Café in Littlehampton, West Sussex — a rusted steel landmark building on a bright dayAndy Gill / Unsplash
Events & Entertainment

Worthing and Littlehampton Town of Culture 2028 Bids

Worthing and Littlehampton have both entered the first-ever UK Town of Culture competition for 2028, with £3 million available for the winner.

Arts & Culture
2 Mar 20263 minRead
Children on a spring Easter egg hunt trail through a West Sussex country garden
Seasonal Guides

Easter Egg Hunts West Sussex 2026: The Complete Guide

National Trust trails, castle events, farm park adventures and free village hunts — here is every confirmed Easter egg hunt in West Sussex for 2026, with dates, prices and booking tips.

FamilyKidsSeasonal
27 Feb 202615 minRead
A colourful kite flying above a grassy clifftop with the English Channel and chalk cliffs in the distance
Seasonal Guides

Free Things to Do in West Sussex: Family Days Out That Cost Nothing

Great family days don't have to break the bank. West Sussex has brilliant free attractions, from Blue Flag beaches to nature reserves and free museums.

FamilyFree
12 Feb 20265 minRead
Rain streaming down a window with colourful wellington boots and an umbrella on the sill, warm golden light inside
Seasonal Guides

Best Rainy Day Activities in West Sussex for Families

Don't let the rain stop play. West Sussex has brilliant indoor attractions for families, from soft play centres to museums and leisure pools with flumes.

FamilyKids
12 Feb 20264 minRead
A colourful adventure playground with wooden climbing towers, rope bridges and slides in an English country park
Seasonal Guides

Best Playgrounds in West Sussex: The Play Areas Worth Driving To

Not all playgrounds are created equal. We've rounded up the best play areas in West Sussex, from adventure playgrounds to splash pads and destination parks.

FamilyKidsOutdoors
12 Feb 20264 minRead
A golden retriever running joyfully along a sandy beach at low tide with dunes in the background
Seasonal Guides

Dog-Friendly Days Out in West Sussex: Where the Whole Family Can Come

Finding days out that welcome dogs can be tricky. We've rounded up the best dog-friendly attractions, beaches, walks and pubs in West Sussex.

FamilyOutdoorsDog-Friendly
12 Feb 20264 minRead
A walking trail winding through the rolling chalk hills of the South Downs at golden hour, with wildflowers and a wooden fingerpost marker
Seasonal Guides

Best Family Walks in the South Downs: Kid-Friendly Routes with Views

The South Downs offers some of England's finest walking, but not all routes suit little legs. Here are our favourite family-friendly walks with stunning views.

FamilyOutdoors
12 Feb 20265 minRead
A colourful birthday party table set up in a bright village hall with bunting, balloons and party hats
Seasonal Guides

Best Birthday Party Venues for Kids in West Sussex

Planning a kids' birthday party? West Sussex has brilliant venues from soft play to trampolining, bowling to adventure centres. Here are the best options by age and budget.

Kids
12 Feb 20265 minRead
Rows of grapevines on a chalk hillside in the English South Downs with a flint stone winery building
Food & Drink

Best Vineyards and Wine Tasting in West Sussex

West Sussex sits on the same chalk seam as Champagne, and the county is home to some of England's finest vineyards. Here is our guide to the best vineyard tours, tastings and dining experiences.

Food & Drink
11 Feb 20269 minRead
A bright and colourful indoor soft play centre with multi-level climbing structure, slides and ball pit
Seasonal Guides

Best Soft Play West Sussex: 14 Indoor Venues, Prices & Honest Reviews

West Sussex has over 40 indoor venues for families. From free soft play in Bognor Regis to eight-activity complexes in Angmering, here are the best places to take the kids when it rains.

Kids
11 Feb 202612 minRead
A canvas bell tent in a wildflower meadow with the South Downs behind, campfire pit and bunting
Seasonal Guides

Best Camping and Glamping Sites in West Sussex

West Sussex has over 120 campsites, from back-to-basics farm pitches near sandy beaches to luxury glamping with hot tubs and wood burners. Here are the 9 best for families.

OutdoorsFamily
10 Feb 202612 minRead
Two children searching for Easter eggs by a stone castle wall surrounded by daffodils in West Sussex
Seasonal Guides

Easter West Sussex 2026: The Best Things to Do with Kids

Easter 2026 falls on the first weekend of April, with Arundel Castle reopening, lambs arriving at farms across the county, and spring in full swing on the South Downs. Here are the best family days out.

FamilyKidsSeasonal
10 Feb 202610 minRead
An English farmers market with striped canvas awnings, fresh produce on trestle tables and chalk price signs
Food & Drink

Best Markets in West Sussex: A Complete Guide

From historic cattle market towns to weekly farmers markets brimming with local produce, West Sussex has a brilliant range of markets. Here's your complete guide to the best ones.

Food & Drink
9 Feb 20267 minRead
Family walking a spring coastal path in West Sussex on a free day out
Seasonal Guides

Free Things to Do in West Sussex This Spring

Spring is the best time to explore West Sussex without spending a penny. From bluebell carpets to empty beaches, here are our favourite free days out this season.

FamilyFreeOutdoors
8 Feb 20269 minRead
Colourful children's art supplies and craft projects spread across a wooden table in a bright community hall
Seasonal Guides

West Sussex Half Term 2026 — Best Things to Do with Kids

Schools across West Sussex break up on Friday 13 February. Here are the best family activities, days out and events for half-term week, from Victorian adventures to free beaches.

FamilyKidsSeasonal
6 Feb 20268 minRead
A traditional English pub beer garden with festoon lights, wooden tables under an oak tree and hanging baskets
Food & Drink

Best Pubs with Beer Gardens in West Sussex: A Family Guide

West Sussex has over 300 pubs, but which ones have genuinely good beer gardens for families? We pick eight of the best, from South Downs village locals to coastal favourites, all with outdoor space, decent food and a warm welcome for children.

FamilyFood & DrinkDog-Friendly
5 Feb 202610 minRead
A wide sandy English beach at low tide with wooden groynes, dramatic clouds and dunes
Seasonal Guides

Best Beaches in West Sussex: A Family Guide

West Sussex has 28 beaches spread across 50 miles of coastline, from the famous sandy stretch at West Wittering to quieter shingle spots that never get crowded. Here is an honest family guide with parking costs, dog rules and real local tips.

FamilyOutdoorsFree
3 Feb 202610 minRead
A smooth tarmac path through an English country park in autumn with golden beech trees
Seasonal Guides

Best West Sussex Walks with Pushchairs and Toddlers

West Sussex has over 3,300 km of public rights of way, but only a fraction work with a pushchair. We have tested seven routes that do, covering surface type, gradient, nearest loo and nearest cafe for every one.

FamilyKidsOutdoors
1 Feb 202610 minRead
Highland cattle behind a wooden fence with a red barn and rolling English countryside
Seasonal Guides

Best Farm Parks and Animal Attractions in West Sussex

West Sussex has some of the best farm parks and animal attractions in the South East. From the all-day adventure of Fishers Farm to deer feeding at Sky Park Farm, here is our honest guide with prices, best ages and what is actually worth the money.

FamilyKidsOutdoors
30 Jan 202612 minRead
Arundel Castle on a hill above the River Arun with swans and flint stone buildings in golden evening light
History & Heritage

A Local's Guide to Arundel: Best Things to Do

Arundel packs a nearly 1,000-year-old castle, a French Gothic cathedral, a world-class wetland centre and one of the best high streets in Sussex into a town of just 3,500 people. Here is what is genuinely worth your time.

FamilyOutdoors
28 Jan 20269 minRead