8 minute read
the very best of summer attractions for the family in sussex
Sussex by the sea, with 150 kilometres of glorious British coastline and acres of rolling countryside, is teaming with villages to explore, castles to escape to, stately homes to snoop around, gardens to roam and attractions to seek adventure. Whether you are a thrill seeker, an artist looking for inspiration, a day tripper looking for a taste of the Great British seaside, a discerning foodie or you’re in the market for some retail therapy, there are thousands of possibilities right here on your doorstep.
Over the past year, our team of writers and reviewers have searched the county and it’s surrounding towns to discover the very best of Sussex and beyond. Now, as we take a look back at our encounters and expeditions, we have narrowed down this extensive list to bring you our guide to the ultimate must-visit places for you to add to your bucket list!
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Brighton Pier
In the last ten years, millions of pounds have been invested into the maintenance and redevelopment of Brighton Palace Pier. In 2006 Brighton Palace Pier shipped two of the most famous thrill rides all the way from Italy. Air Race and The Booster have attracted thrill seekers from around the country. The Booster lets you experience the force of over 3.6G’s in 2.8 seconds, at over 130 feet in the air it rotates you 360 degrees before plunging back towards Brighton Pier. Now firmly established as a pier of the 21st century with the charm of yester-year combined with modern retailing and entertainment facilities, the owners continue to preserve the historic structure whilst ensuring they still attract millions of visitors to enjoy the queen of all piers. Above the deck the latest video games, thrill rides and retail shops ensure visitors experience the best of classic seaside entertainment and the beloved Palm Court Restaurant remains the “Spiritual Home” of fish and chips and is on par with the very best restaurants in Britain!
www.brightonpier.co.uk
Warner Bros. Studio Tour London – The Making of Harry Potter
Attracting fans from across the globe, this is a truly unique attraction offering the ultimate opportunity to journey behind the scenes of Harry Potter and experience the magic that has gone into creating the most successful film series of all time. Visitors to this extraordinary to this Watford based attraction are able to step into the original Great Hall, first built for Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone, experience green screen technology and marvel at the breath taking miniature scale model of Hogwarts castle. The attraction allows visitors the chance to see first hand the sheer scale and detail of the actual sets, costumes, animatronics, special effects and props that have been used in all eight of the Harry Potter films. In addition to the Great Hall, some of the most iconic sets featured in the attraction include Dumbledore’s office, Diagon Alley, the Ministry of Magic, number four Privet Drive, Gryffindor common room and the Forbidden Forest.
For those who crave a bit of nostalgia, a visit to Portsmouth Historic Dockyard is a must. Once you arrive, you are taken on a journey through time, allowing you to step onboard
historic ships and explore magnificent museums from the Royal Navy’s past. Visit HMS Victory and see Nelson’s legendary warship, dive deep onboard HMS Alliance or take a Harbour Tour and discover a working naval base from the water. Leave nothing undiscovered with a Full Navy Ticket when you visit Britain’s top National Museum for naval and maritime heritage. See the history of the Georgian Navy inside The National Museum of the Royal Navy, experience traditional boatbuilding techniques at Boathouse 4 or learn the history of Royal Navy armaments at Explosion Museum of Naval Firepower.
www.historicdockyard.co.uk
Thorpe Park
A mecca for the ultimate thrill seeker, Thorpe Park is home to over 30 thrilling rides, attractions and live events as well as some of the UK’s most popular roller coasters. Reach new heights with Stealth the UK’s fastest roller coaster launching riders to 205ft at 80mph in just 2.5 seconds. Take flight on THE SWARM the UK’s only winged coaster, or face one of Jigsaw’s most twisted traps with SAW - The Ride the world’s first horror themed roller coaster featuring a 100ft “beyond-vertical” drop. Be sure to visit as the colder weather brings their legendary Fright Nights! Taking over from 28th September until early November, prepare to be scared senseless at the UK’s premier Halloween event with the return of our award-winning liveaction mazes and experiences as well as riding world-class rides in the dead of night.
www.thorpepark.com Afternoon Tea at Amberley Castle
Located in the picturesque village of Amberley in the beautiful West Sussex countryside, Amberley Castle is a unique luxury hotel and restaurant steeped in over 900 years of history. Within its medieval walls lies a picturesque retreat which seamlessly blends ancient architecture and history with modern design and contemporary cuisine, cooked to the highest standards.
Feel like royalty as you enjoy a sumptuous home-made afternoon tea within the historic lounge or outside terrace during the warmer months. You’ll be presented with a fine array of finger sandwiches, fruit and plain scones with clotted cream and seasonal preserve, plus a selection of delicious cakes, quiche and sausage rolls. Served with your choice of tea or coffee, this is a must visit for those visiting Sussex. History encompasses every part of this wonderful building and the many acres of gardens it stands in. Enjoy discovering the tennis courts, 18-hole putting green and croquet lawn, and even the resident peacock roaming the grounds. For those seeking tranquillity and relaxation, there are many quiet corners to discover under the shade of a tree or by the fireside.
www.amberleycastle.co.uk
I360 sunset flight
Take to the skies to see Brighton and the beautiful south coast as you have never seen them before. Glide up gently to 450ft in our futuristic glass viewing pod, which was conceived and designed by Marks Barfield Architects, creators of the London Eye. Admire 360-degree views across Brighton & Hove, the South Downs National Park, the UNESCO Biosphere and, on the clearest days, all the way along the coast to the Isle of Wight (49 miles away). The glass viewing pod is fully enclosed and spacious – it’s 10 times the size of a London Eye capsule. There is room for up to 175 visitors to stand at the edge of the pod and look out, or to move around and see the view from different angles. The Sky Bar on board the pod serves Nyetimber sparkling wine and other drinks from Sussex, so you can raise a glass of something special while taking in the views. The friendly in-flight crew will welcome you on board, point out landmarks and answer any questions. A viewing map is available and a multi-lingual app can be download before you board. We’d highly recommend downloading the app as it also has ‘pre-flight’ information about how British Airways i360 was built, as well as an in-app viewing map and a children’s section with fun facts and a treasure hunt!
www.britishairwaysi360.com Shopping in the North Laines, Brighton
We all know that Brighton has a lot to boast about; a beautiful and buzzing seafront, an action-packed pier, an endless array of indie cafes and restaurants and an incredible and varied nightlife scene. Brighton has, however, one very well kept secret that captures the very essence of our Bohemian town; The North Laine. A shopping mecca for in-the-know Brightonians, this maze of over 400 colourful, wonderful and often weird independent shops keeps its visitors busy for hours as they wander through treasure troves stocking goodies that you just simply don’t find in the large chain stores. The name of this riot of retail dates back to Saxon times when ‘laine’ was a word used to describe the large arable fields that lay in Brighton. In this case, the laine in question consisted of five separate farming plots which themselves were split into smaller sections of land. It is the access tracks between each section that actually make up what is now the North Laine. The North Laine is so easy to find when you know where to look! As you arrive at Brighton station, instead of heading straight forward down the road well-trodden, swing a left and you are smack bang in alternative shopping heaven.
www.northlaine.co.uk
Rampion Wind Farm Tour Brighton
As you journey along the Sussex coast, you won’t fail to spot the battalion of wind turbines, standing proudly out to see. Captivated by their ingenuity and lured by their sleek form, both local residents and visitors alike are keen to get closer to the action to witness these now iconic sails at their full capacity. Such is the demand that Ross Boat Trips now offer 120 minutes sightseeing trips to the new Rampion Wind Farm array aboard Catamarans “Adept” (formally a wind farm transfer vessel) and “Voyager”. The 116 turbines are more than 8 miles off shore from Brighton and it takes about 45 minutes to get there. Adept or Voyager then enters the array field for approximately 30 minutes of slow cruising amongst the massive turbines and then those onboard get to witness panoramic views of the Sussex coast on the way back to Brighton Marina.
www.rossboats.co.uk
The Royal Pavilion and Garden
The Royal Pavilion is an exotic palace in the centre of Brighton with a colourful history. Built as a seaside pleasure palace for King George IV, this historic house mixes Regency grandeur with the visual style of India and China and is open for visitors throughout the year. Once you’ve taken in the opulent design of the Royal pavilion itself, be sure to take a wander through the beautiful Regency garden that surround it. Providing visitors and locals with a green haven in the heart of the city, the gardens are maintained under strict organic guidelines by a team of volunteers lead by the head gardener at the Royal Pavilion. This ‘nature assisted’ form of management promotes and supports bio-diversity within the gardens. Combined with the fact that the varied plant life attracts an amazing collection of butterflies, birds and bees, a stroll around the gardens is a feast for the senses and a celebration of nature.
