Looking for things to do during May half-term 2026 in West Sussex? Schools break up on Friday 22 May, with half-term week running from Monday 25 to Friday 29 May. Monday 25 May is also the Spring bank holiday, so it is a proper long week off.
The good news: May half-term in West Sussex is a completely different proposition to February. Longer days, warmer weather, and the coast and countryside are at their best. Here is our pick of the best family activities, days out and outdoor adventures for the week.
1. Arundel Castle and Gardens
Arundel Castle reopens for the season on 1 April, so by May it is in full swing. The castle grounds are spectacular in late spring, with the formal gardens in bloom and the Allium Extravaganza filling the beds with thousands of purple blooms. Kids love the keep (steep stairs, amazing views), the armoury and the interactive medieval displays.
This May half-term the castle is running A Skirmish — a medieval event set in 1480 England in the aftermath of the Wars of the Roses. The confirmed programme for 23–25 May (the bank holiday weekend into the start of half-term) includes have-a-go archery for ages 8+, costumed character encounters for ages 3+, and craft demonstrations. The History Man runs character tours throughout the full half-term week (25–29 May). Note: garden-only tickets are not available on the Skirmish event days (23–25 May).
Key Information
Top tip: Buy tickets online in advance. On Skirmish event days (23–25 May) the garden-only ticket is not available — you need the full castle ticket to access the event programme.
2. Fishers Farm Park
A West Sussex family classic that really comes into its own in summer. Fishers Farm Park has 30 acres of outdoor fun including tractor rides, the huge adventure playground, go-karts, the maze, and a full programme of animal encounters.
In May, the farm is at its best — lambs in the fields, the outdoor areas fully open, and long enough days to genuinely get your money's worth. The indoor soft play is there as a backup if the weather turns, but at this time of year you should not need it. Note: the Splash Attack water play area is currently closed for renovation — check the website for the latest on its reopening before visiting.
Key Information
Top tip: Pack a picnic. There are loads of outdoor picnic spots, and it saves a fortune compared to buying lunch on-site. Arrive early to beat the queues on sunny days.
3. West Sussex Beaches
May half-term is prime beach weather (fingers crossed). West Sussex has some of the best family beaches on the south coast, and they are far less crowded than their East Sussex neighbours.
West Wittering Beach is the headline act — wide sandy beach, dunes, shallow paddling and a Blue Flag award. It does get busy on sunny half-term days, so arrive before 10am for parking. Climping Beach near Littlehampton is the local secret: similar quality sand, a fraction of the crowds, and free parking along the lane.
Littlehampton itself has a lovely sandy beach plus the award-winning East Beach Café and the world's longest bench. Bognor Regis beach is great for traditional seaside fun with rock pools, a pier, and Hotham Park just behind.
For something different, Shoreham Beach is a nature reserve with an unusual shingle habitat and rock pools to explore. And Selsey at the tip of the Manhood Peninsula is brilliant for crabbing off the jetty.
Top tip: West Wittering charges for parking and it fills up fast on sunny days. If you want the beach without the stress, try Climping or East Preston instead.
4. South Downs Walks and Cycling
The South Downs National Park is right on the doorstep and May is one of the best months to explore it. Wild flowers are out, the chalk grassland is buzzing with butterflies, and the light is beautiful.
Family-friendly walks:
- Amberley to Arundel along the River Arun — flat, pushchair-friendly in dry weather, with the option to stop at Amberley Museum or the riverside pub
- Chanctonbury Ring from Steyning — a moderate uphill walk to the famous Iron Age ring of trees with spectacular views
- Devil's Dyke from the car park — one of the most famous viewpoints on the South Downs, with a pub and ice cream van at the top
Cycling: The Downs Link path from Shoreham to Guildford is traffic-free and perfect for families. The section from Bramber to Henfield is flat and scenic. Hire bikes from local shops or bring your own.
For more ideas, see our guide to South Downs family walks and pushchair-friendly walks in West Sussex.
5. WWT Arundel Wetland Centre
WWT Arundel is a year-round family favourite, but May is arguably its best month. Baby ducklings and goslings are everywhere, the wildflower meadows are in bloom, and the outdoor adventure play areas are in full use.
The centre has boat safaris, pond dipping (a massive hit with primary-age kids), the brilliant Pelican Cove walk-through aviary, and quiet hides for spotting kingfishers and herons. There is a good café overlooking the lake, and plenty of picnic spots. During half-term the Gozzle wetland adventure activity and Gozzle Vet Check sessions are running — both included in admission and great for primary-age children.
Key Information
Top tip: Book online in advance for a discount. Note the earlier closing time — last admission is 3.30pm, so plan to arrive by mid-afternoon at the latest.
6. Weald and Downland Living Museum
This open-air museum near Chichester is one of the best family days out in the county, and May is a great time to visit. Over 50 historic buildings are spread across 40 acres of South Downs countryside, with a working Tudor kitchen, a Victorian school, a woodland play area, and farm animals.
This May half-term the museum is running Saxon Week (23–31 May) with living history activities themed around Anglo-Saxon life. The event overlaps with Victorian Showtime (23–25 May) for the bank holiday weekend. Throughout the half-term week, The Repair Shop: Sneak Peek Days are also running — a popular addition following the BBC series filmed here.
Key Information
Top tip: Last entry is 3pm for non-members — earlier than you might expect. There is a woodland play trail that younger kids can spend hours on. Pack wellies even in May — some parts of the grounds stay muddy.
7. Petworth House and Park
Petworth Park is free to enter year-round and it is magnificent in late spring. The ancient deer park was painted by Turner and you can see why — rolling hills, century-old trees, and herds of fallow deer grazing in the open.
For the full experience, visit Petworth House (National Trust) with its world-class art collection and restored servants' quarters. Kids get a free trail and there is usually a family activity running in the grounds during half-term.
Key Information
Top tip: The deer are especially active in the early morning and late afternoon. Bring binoculars for the kids — spotting fawns in May is a real treat.
8. Holiday Clubs and Childcare
Not everyone gets the full week off work. If you need childcare during May half-term, West Sussex has a good selection of holiday clubs offering everything from multi-sports camps to drama workshops and forest schools.
Browse our full guide to holiday clubs in West Sussex for options across the county, searchable by area.
9. Free Options: Parks, Gardens and Playgrounds
May half-term does not have to cost a fortune. West Sussex has brilliant free options:
- Hotham Park, Bognor Regis — free crazy golf, miniature railway, playground and gardens
- Highdown Gardens, Worthing — a hidden gem with a stunning chalk-pit garden (free entry, free parking)
- Tilgate Park, Crawley — 2,000 acres with nature centre, adventure playground, lake walks (parking charges apply)
- Horsham Park — splash pad (seasonal), large playground, bandstand events
- Priory Park, Chichester — playground, cricket pitch, and the city walls walk
For the full list, see our guide to free things to do in West Sussex and the best playgrounds in West Sussex.
10. Older Children and Teenagers
May half-term is easier to plan for younger children — farm parks and beach days reliably deliver. For older children and teenagers, the approach needs to shift. They want more independence, more adrenaline, or activities they can do with friends rather than as a family group.
Good half-term options for ages 10 and up:
- Go Ape at Tilgate Park, Crawley — high ropes and zip lines through the tree canopy. Minimum age 10. One of the best outdoor activities in the county for older kids.
- Paintball at Driver Wood, Copthorne — 40 acres of woodland action for groups. Minimum age 10. A proven half-term choice.
- Flip Out Chichester — trampoline and adventure park with 12 attractions. Ages 12–18 need a parental waiver signed in advance but do not need a parent present on the day.
- TeamSport Indoor Karting, Crawley — 750-metre three-level indoor track. Minimum age 8 for Cadet karts; 13+ for adult karts reaching 40mph.
- West Sussex skateparks — Crawley, Shoreham, Horsham, and Lancing all have excellent free outdoor skateparks, open year-round.
- West Sussex beaches — teenagers can spend a genuine half-term day at West Wittering, Worthing, or Littlehampton on their own terms.
For a full guide to activities that work for this age group, see our page on things to do with teenagers in West Sussex.
11. Chichester Roman Week
The whole of Chichester goes Roman for the second half of half-term week. Chichester Roman Week runs 26–30 May 2026 across multiple venues and the highlight is completely free.
Priory Park Roman Re-enactment (free): On Thursday 28 May, Legio Secunda Augusta — one of Europe's leading Roman re-enactment groups — takes over Priory Park from 10:30am to 4pm. Expect a full military encampment, gladiator battles, drills, archery demonstrations, and talks from archaeologists. Children can handle replica equipment and ask questions from people in full Roman kit. No tickets, no booking — just turn up.
The Novium Museum: Interactive Roman storytelling sessions (£8, ages 5–10) and decorate-a-mini-terracotta-pot workshops (£7, ages 4–11) run throughout the week. The Elmer and Friends exhibition (free, see Section 13) is also running simultaneously, so younger siblings can visit while older children do the workshops.
Chichester Festival Theatre: Roman shield-making workshop on Tuesday 26 May, 9:30–11:30am. £10 per child, ages 8–12. Children make and decorate a Centurion shield to take home.
Pallant House Gallery: Free children's trails and Ways of Looking bags are available throughout the week. On Monday 26 May: Meet an Artwork workshop (£4/child) and Make an Artwork session inspired by the Joe Tilson collection (£7.50/child).
Key Information
Top tip: The Priory Park re-enactment on Thursday 28 May is the unmissable free centrepiece of the week. Combine it with Wilfrid the Seal trail at the Cathedral (also free, see below) for a full Chichester day with no admission cost.
12. Fishbourne Roman Palace — Celts vs Romans
Just two miles from Chichester city centre, Fishbourne Roman Palace is running its own half-term programme for the full week: Celts vs Romans, 25–29 May, daily 10am–4pm.
Children can build a take-home model roundhouse or Roman villa, play ancient board games, try wool-spinning, dress up as Celts or Romans, and follow a Celtic warrior trail through the palace gardens. On Tuesday 27 May there are special Latin and Ancient Greek taster sessions for children and adults.
The Roman mosaic floors at Fishbourne are the largest in-situ Roman mosaics in northern Europe — a genuine wow moment even for adults.
Key Information
Top tip: Combine Fishbourne with Chichester Roman Week for a full Roman-themed day. The palace is a 10-minute drive or a short bus ride from the city centre.
13. The Novium — Elmer and Friends Exhibition
The Novium Museum in Chichester is hosting the Elmer and Friends exhibition during half-term — a colourful, interactive display celebrating David McKee's much-loved elephant. The exhibition is designed for young children and sits alongside The Novium's permanent Roman bathhouse (visible through the glass floor), making this a genuinely two-for-one visit.
Entry to The Novium is free for everyone, which makes it one of the easiest, lowest-commitment additions to a Chichester day. Combine it with Priory Park (free, five minutes on foot) and the Cathedral Wilfrid the Seal trail (free, ten minutes on foot) for a full free morning in the city centre.
Key Information
Top tip: The Novium is an easy rainy-day backup if plans fall through. It is two minutes from the car parks on Avenue de Chartres and open most days through half-term.
14. RSPB Pulborough Brooks — Hiss, Hop, Slither and Croak
For something different on bank holiday Monday, RSPB Pulborough Brooks is running a hands-on family event focused on the reptiles and amphibians of the reserve. Monday 25 May, 10:30am–12:30pm.
Children encounter adders, grass snakes, common lizards, frogs, toads, and newts in an interactive, close-up format. The reserve itself is one of the best wetland sites in southern England, with kingfishers, lapwings, and peregrine falcons visible from the hides.
Key Information
Top tip: This sells out. Book as soon as possible. Arrive a few minutes early — the car park fills on sunny bank holidays.
15. Wakehurst — Wild Wood and Habitat Hero
Wakehurst (managed by Kew Gardens) near Ardingly has two new attractions open for half-term that make it worth the trip for families who have not visited recently.
The Wild Wood Sculpture Trail is a permanent new feature in the recently reopened Pearcelands Wood — 20 hand-woven structures made by Wakehurst staff and local artists: oversized chairs, rabbits, badgers, dormice nests children can crawl inside, and deer. Set in 20 acres of ancient woodland with bluebells still likely at the end of May.
The Habitat Hero trail is a self-led badge quest through the Asian Heath Garden. Children give habitats a health check, untangle a food chain, and complete a recycling challenge. Drop-in bee hotel making sessions run daily. Collectable iron-on badge included (~£3).
Key Information
Top tip: The Wild Wood is in Pearcelands Wood at the far end of the garden — allow at least 2.5 hours to reach it and explore properly. Good boots recommended.
16. Chichester Cathedral — Wilfrid the Seal Trail (Free)
A free self-guided trail at Chichester Cathedral, open throughout half-term with no booking required. Children follow Wilfrid the Seal through the cathedral, hunting for hidden artefacts: a WWI Bible with pressed flowers inside, 800-year-old Bishops' rings, and curiosities from across the building's 900-year history. There is a simpler eye-spy version for younger children and a take-home 18th-century rice pudding recipe card.
Pairs perfectly with the Priory Park Roman re-enactment on Thursday 28 May — both are free and within five minutes' walk of each other.
Key Information
17. Goodwood Breakfast Club — Super Sunday (Free)
The biggest Goodwood Breakfast Club of the year falls on Sunday 31 May — the day after half-term week ends, making it a natural bookend for families who want one more outing before school resumes.
The 20th Anniversary Super Sunday brings high-performance cars to the Goodwood Motor Circuit paddock, free to attend with a pre-booked ticket. Damon Hill's 1996 Williams FW18 Formula 1 car is confirmed as a centrepiece this year. The paddock is open for a full walk-around. Entry is free; a voluntary £10 donation goes to the halow charity.
Key Information
Top tip: Pre-book — free events at Goodwood fill up. Gates open at 8am and the atmosphere is best in the first two hours before crowds build.
Quick Reference: May Half-Term at a Glance
| Activity | When | Cost | Best Ages |
|---|---|---|---|
| Arundel Castle (A Skirmish) | Wed-Sun + bank hols | Check website | 4+ |
| Fishers Farm Park | Daily | Check website (£3 off online) | 0-12 |
| West Sussex beaches | Any day | Free (parking varies) | All ages |
| South Downs walks | Any day | Free | All ages |
| WWT Arundel | Daily (closes 4.30pm) | From £9.36 (child online) | 2-10 |
| Weald & Downland (Saxon Week) | Daily (last entry 3pm) | From £8.80 (child online) | 3-12 |
| Petworth Park | Daily | Free (£3 parking) | All ages |
| Chichester Roman Week | 26–30 May (free re-enactment 28 May) | Free–£10 | All ages |
| Fishbourne Roman Palace | 25–29 May daily | £2/child + admission | All ages |
| The Novium Elmer exhibition | 25–29 May | Free | Under 7 |
| RSPB Pulborough Brooks | 25 May (book ahead) | Ticketed | 4+ |
| Wakehurst Wild Wood | Daily | £4 child / £17.50 adult | All ages |
| Goodwood Breakfast Club | 31 May (post half-term) | Free (pre-book) | All ages |
| Hotham Park, Bognor | Daily | Free | All ages |
Worth Knowing
Weather: May half-term weather in West Sussex is typically mild to warm (15-20°C), but it can be changeable. Pack sun cream AND a light waterproof. Evenings cool down fast, so bring layers for late afternoon.
Bank holiday Monday: 25 May is a bank holiday. Popular beaches and attractions will be at their busiest. If you can, save the biggest outings for Tuesday to Friday when crowds thin out.
Book ahead: Fishers Farm, Arundel Castle, and WWT Arundel can sell out on sunny half-term days. Pre-booking online is recommended and usually cheaper.
Packed lunches: Most venues allow picnics. A family of four eating out at every venue adds up to hundreds over the week. Pack well and save the café treat for one special day.
Sun safety: Late May sun is stronger than people expect. Apply sunscreen to kids before you leave the house, bring hats, and make sure everyone drinks plenty of water — especially on South Downs walks where shade can be limited.
Just after half-term: The South of England Show at Ardingly runs 5–7 June — the weekend straight after half-term week. Children under 16 enter free (suggested donation £2). It is a big outdoor event with livestock, food producers, rural crafts, and fairground entertainment across 150 acres. See our guide to the South of England Showground at Ardingly.
May half-term 2026 in West Sussex runs from Monday 25 to Friday 29 May. Prices and details verified May 2026. We recommend checking venue websites before visiting, as details can change.