Girl looking through binoculars — Family days out in Sussex | © National Trust Images / Annapurna Mellor

Family-friendly places to visit in Sussex

Discover magical family days out this winter with the National Trust in Sussex, including Nymans, Bodiam Castle, Petworth and more. Whether you’re popping in for a couple of hours or planning a bigger adventure, you’ll find natural play areas, family trails and café stops.

Looking for a half term day out in Sussex that’ll keep the whole family entertained? Find the best family-friendly trails and natural play areas.

An illustration of spring from the book 'A Story of the Seasons'.

Article

Nymans

Uncover 'A Story of the Seasons' with this nature-based trail around the garden featuring beautiful illustrations and extracts from the book of the same name. Free trail with normal admission. 15 Feb - 23 February, 10am - 4pm.

Three boys walking along a woodland trail at Hatchlands with their arms round each other.

Article

Family-friendly things to do at Standen

Have an exciting adventure 'Finding the Old Oak Tree' on a trail with activities and a nature-inspired craft workshop. Booking essential, £4 with prize and workshop session. 15 Feb - 23 Feb, sessions running throughout the day.

Family playing on thrones in the courtyard at Bodiam Castle, East Sussex

Article

Dragon Scavenger Hunt at Bodiam Castle

Can you help us find the dragons? Join the hunt, complete the challenges and find the clues to claim your prize. No need to book, £2 with admission including a small prize. 15 Feb - 23 Feb, 10am to 4pm.

Two parents and two children playing hoopla in the events field at Bateman's

Article

Pesky Pests Trail at Bateman's

Discover the world of pesky pests as you follow our trail, play games and learn about moths, woodlice, ladybirds, silverfish and carpet beetles. £3 with admission with a small prize. 15 to 23 February.

A friendly duck and visitors at Sheffield Park and Garden, East Sussex

Article

Wild Imagination Week at Sheffield Park and Garden

Come along to wild imagination week and enjoy a different nature-inspired craft activity every day from bug hotel building to nature jewellery making. Free with admission, 15 to 23 February.

Join us in Sussex for Easter adventures jam-packed with nature trails, activities, games, riddles and crafts. Trails cost £3.50, plus usual admission, and include bunny ears, a trail sheet, a take home activity card and chocolate egg or a vegan ‘Free- From’* chocolate egg, made here in the UK using Rainforest Alliance Certified cocoa.

Article

Easter egg hunts at Nymans

The annual Springfest trail returns to Nymans, an Easter trail with all the fun of a festival. Find your festival name, tell a joke at comedy corner or try some mindful yoga poses. 29 March - 21 April.

Article

Easter egg hunts at Standen

Join in our fun Easter activity trail around the garden. Pick up a trail sheet and bunny ears and hop your way around the garden completing fun activities.

Illustration from the book Ben Plants a Butterfly Garden

Article

Family-friendly things to do at Petworth House and Park

At Petworth’s Spring Festival there are games and activities for young families to discover on our free 'Ben Plants a Butterfly Garden' trail. Pick up a colourful map and follow the buggy-friendly paths through the Pleasure Garden on this springtime adventure. 5 to 21 April & 24 May to 1 June.

Family exploring nature in the park at Petworth, West Sussex

Article

Petworth House and Park

Petworth Park is an exciting place for families to explore. Roam through acres of parkland and look out for the fallow deer herd. The ancient tree trail includes hollow trunks big enough to crawl inside, plus there are games and activities every school holidays.

Ducks and a family at Sheffield Park and Garden

Article

Sheffield Park and Garden

Whether you are visiting with friends or family, there are plenty of new things to discover and fun ways to get active in nature at Sheffield Park and Garden.

Article

Standen House and Garden

Find family-friendly things to do at Standen, from walking in the woodland and building a den, to seasonal trails in the house and garden.

A young family in the garden with a child in arms pointing at a flower

Article

Things to do with the kids at Nymans

Discover natural play in the Play Glade, activities and events in the school holidays and an ancient woodland and garden to discover, there's lots of fun for families at Nymans. Picnic anywhere in the garden, or pick up a snack from the cafe or kiosk. Baby change available by the house and in the cafe and car park.

The cliffs in twilight at Birling Gap and the Seven Sisters, East Sussex

Place

Birling Gap

There’s so much for you and your family to see and do at Birling Gap. Hunt for ocean finds along the strand line and look for fossils on the beach. Don't forget pop in to the café for an ice cream or a slice of cake too.