Great family days don't have to break the bank. West Sussex has brilliant free attractions, from Blue Flag beaches to nature reserves and museums that don't charge for children. Here is our guide to the best free activities for families.
Quick Comparison
| Venue | Location | Best For | Parking | |-------|----------|----------|---------| | West Wittering Beach | West Wittering | Sandy beach, rock pools | Paid | | RSPB Pagham Harbour | Bognor Regis | Bird watching, easy walks | Free | | Worthing Seafront and Pier | Worthing | Promenade, pier, paddling pool | Varies | | The Novium Museum | Chichester | History, Roman baths (free for kids) | Paid | | Buchan Country Park | Crawley | Woodland walks, play area | Free | | Hotham Park | Bognor Regis | Free adventure golf, playground | Free | | South Downs | Across West Sussex | Walking, views, wildlife | Varies |
The Best Free Days Out
West Wittering Beach
One of the finest beaches in the South East with golden sand and clean water. Blue Flag awarded. The beach itself is free, you just pay for parking, which is worth arriving early for in summer.
East Head nature reserve at the far end is particularly good for rock pools and paddling. The dunes are perfect for picnics and the water is clean enough for proper swimming.
Location: West Wittering
Entry: Free (parking charges apply)
Parking: Paid, arrive before 10am in summer
Top tip: East Head at the far end of the beach is the best spot for rock pools. Arrive early in summer to guarantee parking.
RSPB Pagham Harbour
Beautiful nature reserve with easy walking trails and bird hides. Completely free entry and free parking. Great for spotting wading birds, seals, and wildflowers throughout the year.
The circular walk around the harbour is about four miles, but shorter options are available from the visitor centre. Download the RSPB app to help identify birds as you go.
Top tip: The visitor centre has toilets and information boards. Binoculars make a big difference here.
Worthing Seafront and Pier
Classic English seaside with a lovely promenade, pier, and sheltered beaches. The pier is free to walk on, there is a free paddling pool in summer near the pier, and the prom is great for cycling and scootering.
Worthing has invested heavily in the seafront in recent years. The combination of pier, promenade, playground, and paddling pool makes it a genuinely good free day out.
Top tip: The paddling pool near the pier opens during summer holidays. Combine with fish and chips from one of the seafront takeaways.
The Novium Museum
Free entry for under-18s to this excellent museum built over Roman bath ruins you can see through the glass floor. Interactive displays about Chichester's history from the Romans onwards. Adults pay £8.50 but children go free, making it brilliant value for families.
Location: Chichester city centre
Entry: Free for under-18s, adults £8.50
Top tip: Combine with exploring Chichester. The cathedral is also free to enter and has excellent family-friendly activities during school holidays.
Buchan Country Park
170 acres of woodland and meadows with a network of trails, all completely free. Free parking, a play area, and orienteering courses. The visitor centre has a small cafe for when you need a break.
This is one of the best spots in Crawley for den building, nature spotting, and letting kids run free. The paths are well-maintained and there are routes suitable for buggies.
Top tip: Pick up a nature trail from the visitor centre. Great for den building in the woodland areas.
Hotham Park
Beautiful Victorian park with a genuinely free adventure golf course, large playground, and cafe. The miniature railway runs in summer for a small charge, but the park itself is always free. Clubs for the adventure golf are available from the cafe.
Top tip: The adventure golf is genuinely free, not a catch. Clubs are available from the cafe. Gets busy on sunny weekends.
Bognor Regis Beach
Shingle beach with a traditional seaside town behind. Free parking along parts of the promenade, free beach, and a nostalgic town centre. Good for paddling rather than swimming due to the shingle, but the kids will not mind.
Top tip: The town has some of the best-value chip shops on the Sussex coast.
South Downs National Park
The whole South Downs is free to explore. Start from any of the car parks (some free, some paid) and walk as far as you like. Devil's Dyke and Chanctonbury Ring are family favourites, and Cissbury Ring near Worthing is an easy walk with amazing views.
Location: Across West Sussex
Entry: Free
Parking: Varies by car park
Top tip: Start with Cissbury Ring near Worthing for an easy walk with panoramic views. Bring a kite, it is always windy up top.
All details were correct at the time of writing (February 2026). We recommend checking websites before visiting, as details can change. West Sussex Weekly is not responsible for third-party pricing or availability.