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Whereas Sussex’s sandy seashores are amongst my favourites for a sunny day, I’ve spent sufficient wet days by the coast to know you’ll have simply as a lot enjoyable in Sussex within the rain with youngsters.
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From some quirky museums to a royal residence, animal points of interest and many extra indoor household enjoyable, there’s heaps to find throughout the county, together with a string of wet day points of interest in Brighton.
So whether or not you’re visiting Sussex in winter, or dodging the showers in mid summer season, listed below are my tips about the very best issues to do in Sussex within the rain with youngsters.
The Royal Pavilion, Brighton
This flamboyant iconic constructing was created for the Prince Regent, with all of the royal extravagance you may anticipate. And this barely fairytale structure, mixed with lavish interiors, makes it good for a time out with youngsters in Brighton.
You should buy a kids’s path for a small price to identify a number of the animals dotted all through the opulent rooms, or amuse your self looking for all of the dragons on the Royal Pavilion.
When you get to the music room, workers actively inspired us to have a lie down on the carpet to see the chandelier rising to the gold patterned ceiling. Nice for a wet day in Sussex with youngsters too.
Try the Brighton Pavilion Treasure Map Path as nicely, for a enjoyable approach to spot a number of the quirky highlights close by too – get 10% off utilizing code MUMMYTRAVELS too.
For extra issues to do in Brighton with youngsters, try my high picks
Sea Life Brighton
The world’s oldest working aquarium, the Brighton Sea Life Centre is barely a shell’s throw away from the ocean itself, with greater than 150 creatures to identify inside the placing Victorian constructing, together with within the Day and Evening Space.
Displaying how the oceans change over the course of 24 hours, the show features a bioluminescent seaside.
In addition to a wide range of completely different underwater habitats to discover, plus the Rainforest journey, there are further temptations for households together with a stamp path, common particular occasions throughout college holidays, a behind-the-scenes tour, and the UK’s first glass-bottom boat, to not point out the now compulsory underwater tunnel.
Blue Reef Aquarium, Hastings
Set proper on the beachfront, the Hastings aquarium won’t be the most important in Sussex however it’s very straightforward to whereas away a couple of hours wandering round – and very best if you end up by the seaside in Sussex on a wet day.
Look out for the porcupine pufferfish and the stonefish, two of the extra uncommon inhabitants together with rays, sharks, vibrant reef fish, seahorses and the reasonably fabulous big pacific octopus.
There are two pages of animals to tick off in a kids’s information as you go round, together with some nice information for mini marine biologists.
Learn extra about our time out at Blue Reef Aquarium, Hastings right here
Smugglers Journey, Hastings
Stroll within the footsteps of real-life pirates and smugglers at Smugglers Journey in Hastings. This family-friendly expertise takes you deep underground right into a sequence of caves and tunnels that had been as soon as used for unlawful commerce on the Sussex Coast a whole bunch of years in the past.
Led by way of the eerie caves by infamous smuggler Bushy Jack, you’ll get to satisfy over 70 life-sized characters who assist inform the secrets and techniques and tales of those notorious outlaws. There are additionally loads of child-friendly info boards and mini movies, in addition to interactive video games and actions the place little ones can expertise life as a smuggler themselves.
There’s no minimal age for the expertise, however youthful kids could discover a number of the recreations and tales a bit of scary – in any other case there’s loads of enjoyable, a serving to of schooling, and since you’re underground, Smugglers Journey is a good time out in Sussex within the rain for the entire household.
When the Hastings East Cliff Raise reopens, it’s a enjoyable approach to get from the seafront as much as Smuggler’s Journey and the opposite clifftop points of interest
The Shipwreck Museum
The Shipwreck Museum in Hastings is a captivating maritime museum that helps convey historical past to life by way of its assortment of artefacts salvaged from shipwrecks within the English Channel over the centuries. There’s additionally a show of native fossils, together with dinosaur bones and footprints.
The family-friendly museum has a great deal of enjoyable interactive displays for youthful guests too, together with the chance to tie ropes, use pulleys, and cargo cannons like a historic sailor, a drawing and brass rubbing station, and dinosaur footprints that youngsters can stroll in.
The museum is pretty small however utterly free to go to, making it an ideal place to spend an hour or so on a wet day in Sussex with youngsters. Make certain to depart a donation for those who do get pleasure from it.
Toy and Mannequin Museum, Brighton
Situated within the secret Victorian cellars beneath Brighton Station, the Brighton Toy and Mannequin Museum is a magical little museum that each youngsters and adults are certain to get pleasure from.
The distinctive museum has over 12,000 toys on show, from vintage teddy bears and puppets to lovely dollhouses, scale Lego scenes, and wonderful mannequin railways.
A number of the toys sit inside show cupboards, whereas others are rather more interactive, such because the previous “end-of-the-pier” slot machines that value simply 10p to play.
On the way in which out, don’t neglect to pop by the museum store and choose up some toys to take residence with you. Good for reliving your individual childhood on the identical time.
The museum is closed on Sundays and Mondays, so for those who’re visiting on the weekend, ensure that it’s first in your checklist.
Sales space Museum of Pure Historical past
Based as a Victorian collector’s personal museum, the Sales space Museum is a type of barely eccentric collections that the UK appears to specialize in – infinite circumstances of birds displayed of their pure setting (full with eagles pouncing on lambs) plus skeletons and dinosaur bones.
Youthful youngsters will most likely be fascinated by it, together with the 2 bears on the entrance, older ones may discover it a bit creepier.
Free to enter, though it’s important to stroll by way of the small reward store on the way in which out and in. Closed Mondays, Thursdays and Fridays.
Brighton Museum & Artwork Gallery
The Brighton museum and artwork gallery has an impressively various assortment, with loads to maintain youngsters entertained
One of many highlights is the Historical Egyptian mummies, however there are additionally shows on vogue, displays about Brighton itself, masks and puppets within the Efficiency Gallery, plus it’s residence to top-of-the-line artwork galleries in Sussex.
They typically run particular household periods at half-term and at school holidays too. Tickets could be booked on-line or purchased on the door, and also you get free return entry for a yr with customary admission. Closed on Mondays.
Set within the Royal Pavilion’s gardens, it’s straightforward to mix with a go to to George IV’s ornate creation, if you want to fill a full day in Sussex within the rain with youngsters.
The Observatory Science Centre
Sitting on the grounds of Herstmonceux Fort in East Sussex, The Observatory Science Centre is an thrilling interactive science centre with loads of hands-on actions for youths of all ages.
The astronomical observatory was established in 1995 within the former residence of The Royal Greenwich Observatory, and right this moment it has over 100 interactive displays, telescope excursions, workshops, family-friendly science reveals, and seasonal actions all year long.
Most displays on the Observatory Science Centre are indoors and appropriate for any climate. Nevertheless, you could have to go exterior to get between a number of the domes, so ensure that to convey an umbrella or coat.
It’s value understanding that the telescope domes aren’t heated, so it’s good to put on layers on chilly days, and the centre’s stargazing night occasions sadly don’t run on wet days.
Anne of Cleves Home, Lewes
This beautiful timber-framed medieval home and museum in Lewes was initially constructed for Henry VIII’s spouse Anne of Cleves – though she by no means truly used it. And there’s an ideal mixture of schooling and enjoyable, with loads of probabilities for youths to get palms on and play throughout your go to to the Anne of Cleves home.
In addition to exploring the rooms, together with the Tudor kitchen and bed room with its four-poster mattress, youngsters can gown up alongside the way in which, and there are sometimes trails and quizzes plus actions packing containers to maintain youngsters entertained.
It’s a very good probability to find out about life in Sussex centuries in the past, with loads of on a regular basis objects to see. If the rain lets up, take the prospect to look into the Tudor backyard too, with herbs and timber which Henry and Anne would have recognised in the event that they occurred to walk by right this moment.
Petworth Home, Petworth
With its grand home, Petworth Home and Park in west Sussex is a good time out in Sussex within the rain, even for those who can’t take advantage of the large grounds and wonderful gardens.
Set within the coronary heart of the South Downs, it’s usually tempting to spend sunny days exploring exterior, together with the deer park and the remainder of the grounds, typically with household trails that can assist you discover.
However there’s loads to tempt contained in the Sussex Nationwide Belief property too. Impressed by the Baroque palaces of Europe, Petworth Home has its personal spectacular assortment of artwork and sculpture, the earliest English globe nonetheless in existence (which as soon as belonged to the ‘wizard’ earl of Northumberland) and hyperlinks galore to well-known artists.
It’s also possible to peek into the historic kitchens, relationship from the mid 18th century, when Petworth wanted a small military of 40 servants.
There are many different historic websites in Sussex to go to with youngsters, together with Arundel Fort and Battle Abbey however whereas these do have indoor points of interest, you’ll wish to discover open air as nicely so sunny days – or no less than a dry day – are higher
Newhaven Fort, Newhaven
This 150-year-old fort is likely one of the string of defences constructed through the Napoleonic wars to protect in opposition to invasion, and it was nonetheless used proper up till the Nineteen Fifties.
And inside Newhaven Fort, there are some interactive shows that are enjoyable – or no less than memorable! – for the entire household, equivalent to experiencing what a (simulated) World Struggle Two air raid was like from inside an air raid shelter.
The fort, constructed into the cliff itself, additionally has an journey playground for youths and a powerful 10 acres for youths to run round in if the rain clears. Should you’re searching for days out in Sussex within the rain along with your four-legged buddy, well-behaved canines are welcome too.
Bluebell Railway
A good way to see the Sussex countryside with out having to exit within the rain, this steam prepare journey takes you a sequence of classic prepare stations for a stunning household journey.
Alongside the way in which, there’s a wide range of points of interest together with museums, engine sheds and kids’s play areas at every cease alongside the 11 miles between Sheffield Park and East Grinstead.
Followers of Downton Abbey will even acknowledge one of many stations from the present and there are common occasions and festivals all year long as nicely.
The entire route takes round 40 minutes, however at all times test the Bluebell Railway web site prematurely: they don’t run on daily basis, and the timings of the trains can differ.
Fisher’s Journey Farm Park, Wisborough Inexperienced
For a enjoyable time out with youthful youngsters, Fisher’s Journey Farm Park is heaven for little animal lovers – and has loads of indoor play choices as nicely.
There’s a tremendous indoor play barn with the sort of play gear that you simply’d usually anticipate exterior. In truth, for those who don’t look too carefully, with the intelligent lighting, woodland sounds and big wood play construction, you possibly can virtually consider you had been exterior! There’s additionally a sensory den that’s nice for little ones.
There’s additionally extra conventional delicate play, a child sensory room, the Barn Theatre, and the Glow Barn, which opened in 2022. With sensory lighting and tranquil music, beanbags and a few calming shows to look at, it’s very best with over-excited little ones, or anybody who wants an opportunity to calm down.
Plus you possibly can nonetheless meet loads of farmyard animals from bunnies, chicks, lambs and children to alpacas, cows and horses, in addition to an opportunity to get (gently) palms on with day by day animal dealing with periods in one of many barns, plus occasional feeding periods.
Out of Bounds, Angmering
The Out of Bounds exercise centre has one thing for everybody, preschoolers to adults – and in addition to the all-weather out of doors actions for those who don’t thoughts a little bit of drizzle (together with journey golf and journey nets), there are a string of indoor actions.
In addition to laser tag and ten pin bowling, there’s clip’n’climb for one thing extra adrenaline-fuelled. Appropriate for age 4+, there are 15 completely different climbing partitions to attempt to no expertise is important.
Or youthful youngsters can go wild in a large delicate play. And we’re not speaking a couple of padded frames, the multi-level design has gained it awards for finest delicate play in Sussex, with a spiral slide in addition to a ball pit and all the standard cushioned climbing and crawling enjoyable.
Splendid for a wet day in Sussex with youngsters or for those who’re searching for an lively time out.
The Cauldon
Add some magic to a wet time out in Brighton with youngsters with a go to to The Cauldron, the place you possibly can refuel with a spot of potion making.
After a welcome drink poured by magic wand, you’ll even be geared up with a wand of your individual to brew up two extra molecular cocktails – non-alcoholic variations additionally included.
The potion making expertise is ready inside a wizard-themed bar and restaurant and is barely appropriate for youths aged 5+, with particular weekday and Sunday time slots accessible for households.
Attempt an Escape Room
Testing your loved ones’s teamwork with an escape room is a good way to spend a wet day in Sussex, particularly when you could have older kids and teenagers to maintain entertained.
An escape room may have you all working collectively to uncover clues, remedy riddles and puzzles, and escape the room earlier than your time runs out.
There are many nice escape rooms all throughout Sussex. Tulleys Escape Rooms in Crawley has a great deal of nice rooms to select from, together with a Pirate-themed room that’s very best for learners and households. Pier Strain in Brighton has barely tougher rooms, with many set inside iconic Brighton landmarks.
Chichester Pageant Theatre
Chichester Pageant Theatre has an enormous number of daytime and night occasions and actions for households which are good for a wet day.
The favored theatre hosts family-friendly performances all year long, from enjoyable sing-alongs for toddlers to comedies, musicals, and vacation pantomimes for older kids.
Throughout the day, the theatre runs family-friendly backstage excursions. The venue additionally has a devoted household space with arts and crafts, fancy gown, and books for youthful youngsters. Plus, you possibly can get pleasure from much more actions on the pop-up household enjoyable periods each Thursday and Saturday.
Disclosure: This publish incorporates affiliate hyperlinks – any purchases you make are unaffected however I could obtain a small fee
Royal Pavilion/East Cliff/Newhaven Fort/climbing wall courtesy of Depositphotos, Observatory courtesy Picfari, all different pictures copyright MummyTravels
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