West Sussex is not just castles and cream teas. The county has a genuinely good range of adventure activities, from treetop challenges to watersports, and from go-karting to horse riding in the South Downs.
This guide covers the best options, with a comparison table to help you choose the right activity for your group.
Quick Comparison
| Activity | Location | Min Age | Season | Price | Best For | |----------|----------|---------|--------|-------|----------| | Go Ape Treetop Challenge | Tilgate Park, Crawley | 10+ | Year-round | ££ | Teens, adventure seekers | | Go Ape Treetop Adventure | Tilgate Park, Crawley | 6+ | Year-round | ££ | Families | | Paintball / Airsoft | Driver Wood, Crawley | 12+ | Year-round | ££ | Teens, groups | | Trampolining | Various | Varies | Year-round | £ | All ages, rainy days | | Go-Karting | TeamSport, Crawley | 8+ | Year-round | ££ | Teens, groups | | Paddleboarding (SUP) | Chichester Harbour | 8+ | May–Sep | £–££ | Summer, beginners | | Kitesurfing / Windsurfing | Lancing / West Wittering | 12+ | Year-round | ££ | Active adults, teens | | Kayaking | Various | 8+ | Apr–Oct | £–££ | Families, exploration | | Surfing | East Wittering | 8+ | Year-round | ££ | Beginners, teens | | Snorkelling | Selsey | 8+ | May–Sep | ££ | Nature lovers, unique | | Climbing | Clip 'n Climb, Crawley | 4+ | Year-round | ££ | All weather | | Escape Rooms | Various (Tulleys, Crawley) | 10+ | Year-round | ££ | Teens, groups | | Horse Riding | South Downs | 4+ | Year-round | ££ | All abilities | | Axe Throwing | Driver Wood, Copthorne | 15+ | Year-round | ££ | Groups, adults | | Young Driver | Goodwood | 10–17 | Year-round | £££ | Teens, unique experience | | Alpaca Walking | Various farms | All | Year-round | ££ | Families, novelty |
Price guide: £ = under £15pp, ££ = £15–£40pp, £££ = £40+pp. Always check current rates directly with venues.
Treetop Adventure
Go Ape, Tilgate Park
The flagship adventure activity in West Sussex. Go Ape at Tilgate Park in Crawley offers two courses:
Treetop Challenge (age 10+, minimum 1.4m tall) — the full experience with high ropes, zip lines, Tarzan swings, and treetop crossings. Takes 2-3 hours. This is genuinely exciting and physical — expect to use muscles you forgot you had.
Treetop Adventure (age 6+, minimum 1m tall) — a shorter, lower course suitable for younger children. Still fun and challenging for the target age group.
Tilgate Park itself is free to enter with a lake, nature centre, and adventure playground, so non-participants have plenty to do.
Top tip: Book in advance, especially during school holidays and weekends. Arrive 15 minutes before your slot. Wear clothes you don't mind getting dirty and sturdy closed-toe shoes.
Water Activities
Paddleboarding (SUP)
Stand-up paddleboarding is one of the best ways to explore the West Sussex coastline and harbours. Key locations:
- Chichester Harbour — sheltered water, beautiful scenery, seal spotting possible
- Littlehampton harbour — calmer water in the harbour, or open sea for the more confident
- River Arun — gentle river paddling through the countryside
Hire and lessons are available from several providers. No experience needed for beginner sessions. Best May to September.
Kayaking and Canoeing
Similar locations to SUP, with the added stability of a kayak. Guided tours of Chichester Harbour are available and are an excellent way to see wildlife. Family tandem kayaks are available at most hire centres.
Surfing and Bodyboarding
The south coast gets rideable waves, especially in autumn and winter. Natural Surf School at East Wittering is the county's only Surf England Accredited school — the safest and most reputable choice for beginners. Lessons run throughout the year with wetsuits provided. Board hire is also available from beach shops near Worthing and Littlehampton.
Kitesurfing and Windsurfing
West Sussex is one of the best locations in the South East for kitesurfing and windsurfing. Two key centres:
- Get Kiteboarding (Lancing Beach) — lessons for complete beginners and improvers in kitesurfing and kiteboarding. The flat water at Lancing is ideal for learning.
- 2XS Watersports (West Wittering Beach) — a full multi-discipline watersports centre offering windsurfing, wing foiling, kitesurfing, surfing, and SUP. Equipment hire and lessons available at all levels.
Best conditions: autumn and spring when consistent south-westerly winds fill in. Summer works too, with lighter breezes for beginners.
Snorkelling with Mulberry Marine (Selsey)
One of the most memorable water adventures in West Sussex. Mulberry Marine runs guided snorkel tours off the Selsey coast, where you can spot crabs, wrasse, and anemones in the clear shallow water. Completely safe for beginners — no certification needed. Best from May to September when visibility is good. Small groups; book in advance.
Speed Activities
Go-Karting — TeamSport Crawley
TeamSport Indoor Karting (Gatwick Goodsyard, Crawley, RH10 9RE) runs a 750-metre three-level track with electric karts, banked corners, and flyovers. Open 9am–11pm daily.
- Age: Minimum 8 years. Ages 8–12 use Cadet karts (min 25-inch inside leg); age 13+ can use adult karts reaching 40mph (min 29-inch inside leg).
- Price: Dynamic pricing — approximately £20–£35pp depending on day and time. Book at team-sport.co.uk for the best rates.
For serious outdoor racing, Q Leisure (London Road, Albourne, BN6 9BQ) has an 800-metre floodlit circuit. Kids & Family sessions (ages 8+, minimum 132cm height) are £49pp for a 30-minute session; adult sessions run at £45–£78pp.
Young Driver
A unique experience for teenagers aged 10–17: real driving lessons in dual-control cars on private roads at Goodwood and similar venues. Professional instructors, real steering and pedals — not a fairground ride. A memorable birthday activity that parents will end up enjoying too. Book at youngdriver.com.
Climbing — Clip 'n Climb, Crawley
Clip 'n Climb (6 Forest Park Way, Pease Pottage, Crawley, RH11 9ZG) is the UK's largest Clip 'n Climb centre — 33 auto-belay climbing walls of varying difficulty, no experience or prior climbing knowledge required. All harnesses and equipment included.
- Price: £19.99pp for an 85-minute session (30-min briefing + 55 min climbing). Stairway to Heaven (the tallest challenge wall) can be added for £4pp.
- Age: 4+. Under-18s need a responsible adult on site.
- Sessions: Start on the hour — arrive on time. Trainers required.
- Opening: Mon/Fri 10am–7pm; Sat–Sun 9am–7pm; Tue–Thu closed in term time.
- Booking: crawley.clipnclimb.co.uk
For those who want to progress to real climbing, the Arena Sports Centre in Bognor Regis has a serious wall — 9m+ overhanging walls, 50+ sq m of bouldering surface — with structured weekly sessions: Beginners (Wed 5–6:30pm, min age 8) and Intermediates (Wed 6:30–8pm, min age 10).
Woodland and Combat Activities
Paintball, Airsoft, and Axe Throwing — Driver Wood Activity Centre
Driver Wood (Old Hollow, Copthorne, RH10 4TA — near M23 J10) is the county's best multi-activity woodland venue, set across 40 acres with forts, military vehicles, and varied terrain.
Paintball (ages 10+):
- Half-day Pay & Play: £7.99pp (buy paintballs on the day, ~£30 per 500 balls)
- Half-day All Inclusive (400 balls): £27.50pp
- Full-day All Inclusive (800 balls): £49.50pp
- Children's low-impact paintball (ages 8–10): £24.99pp
- Minimum group size: 10 players (midweek)
No-contact alternatives (ages 6+): Laser Tag, Nerf Wars, and Gel Blaster Wars at £14.99pp each — all kit provided, no bruises.
Airsoft (ages 10+): Beginners package with all kit £29.99pp; experienced walk-on players from £20 with own kit.
Axe Throwing (ages 15+): £24.99pp for 1 hour — minimum 4 people. Three daily slots: 10am, 12:30pm, 3pm. Includes coaching, progresses to knife throwing once you have mastered the axe.
At least one adult must remain on site during sessions. Booking: driverwoodactivitycentre.co.uk or 01293 882806.
Mental Challenges
Escape Rooms
Locked in a themed room, your team has 60 minutes to solve puzzles and escape. Tulleys Escape Rooms near Crawley is one of the most highly rated venues in the South East, with multiple themed rooms of varying difficulty. Other venues operate in Chichester and Worthing. Book in advance — popular at weekends and during school holidays. Most are suitable for age 10+.
Outdoor Adventures
Horse Riding
The South Downs are excellent for horse riding, with bridleways crossing the chalk hills. Several stables offer lessons and hacks for all abilities, from complete beginners to experienced riders. Younger children can start from age 4 on lead-rein ponies.
Mountain Biking
The South Downs Way and surrounding trails provide excellent off-road cycling. The chalk tracks are best in summer when they are dry and fast. Routes from Steyning, the Centurion Way near Chichester, and Queen Elizabeth Country Park (just over the Hampshire border) offer varied terrain.
Alpaca Walking
Several farms in West Sussex offer alpaca walking experiences — gentle walks with friendly alpacas through the countryside. Popular for birthdays, hen parties, and family outings. Book in advance.
Crazy Golf
Modern adventure golf courses are a step up from traditional seaside miniature golf. Courses feature elaborate themed holes, challenging layouts, and — at some venues — evening sessions with lighting and music. Suitable for all ages and abilities.
Planning Your Adventure
For families with children 6-10
- Go Ape Treetop Adventure
- Paddleboarding or kayaking (with instructor, May–Sep)
- Crazy golf
- Horse riding (lead-rein from age 4)
- Alpaca walking
For teenagers 10+
- Go Ape Treetop Challenge
- Paintball or airsoft at Driver Wood
- Go-karting
- Escape rooms (Tulleys, Crawley)
- Young Driver at Goodwood
For groups, hen and stag dos, and adult adventures
- Paintball, axe throwing, and archery at Driver Wood
- Kitesurfing or windsurfing lessons (Get Kiteboarding / 2XS)
- Escape rooms
- Paddleboarding on Chichester Harbour
- Snorkelling off Selsey
Rainy day alternatives
- Trampolining (indoor)
- Climbing walls (indoor)
- Go-karting (indoor tracks)
- Escape rooms (indoor)
For more teen ideas, see our guide to things to do with teenagers in West Sussex.
All activities and venues were correct at the time of writing. Prices, age restrictions, and availability change — check venue websites and book in advance where required.