Brighton & Hove Family Grapevine - Summer/Autumn 24
Welcome to our SUMMER/AUTUMN 24 magazine, which is filled with ideas to keep your family & children busy during the [long] summer holidays! In this issue, we are celebrating Plastic-Free July and are offering some green swap ideas, as well as the chance to start your own sustainable living journey.
You will find 5 competitions to win some fantastic prizes: £20 vouchers to shop at Harriet's of Hove - plastic-free, refill store; family day tickets to the Autumn Show & Horse Trials at the Ardingly Showground, as well as family tickets to Glow Wild at Wakehurst - THE winter lantern trail of the South East! We have also paired up with Fables World and are offering an annual subscription to their fun maths tuition website. Last but not least, one lucky family will win a Beach Family Photoshoot with the talented Irma Arrowsmith Photography, as seen on our front cover! THANK YOU to our wonderful advertisers. Please continue to support these hardworking local businesses, and don’t forget to mention that you have heard about them through the FAMILY GRAPEVINE!
Our WINTER 24/25 MAGAZINE will come out in early November, so keep your eyes peeled and follow us on social media!
►St Luke’s Church BN1 5DD, lunch Mon & Fri, 12.30-2pm; Coffe Tue-Fri from 10am.
►Hollingdean Community. Centre BN1 7BH, Thu 12.30-1.45pm FB: @realjunkfoodbrighton Too Good to Go App, connecting customers to restaurants/stores that have surplus unsold food, toogoodtogo.com
Tool/Supplies/Clothes
Rental
Brighton & Hove Library of Things, Castle Square BN1 1EE, tool library, rental, Tue-Sat, participate. libraryofthings.co.uk/brighton Brighton Borrowers, community library of things, order online, donation welcome, brightonborrowers.co.uk
reuse-a-bowl, stop the single use & hire your kid’s party plates, cups, cutlery & bowls, FB: @reuse-a-bowl
Irma Arrowsmith Photography, documentary family, newborn & pregnancy photographer based in Brighton, irmaarrowsmith.com (see front cover, p.4 & competition p.11)
Larissa Karl Photography, family, maternity & baby photography, larissakarlphotography.com
Red Pebble Photography, capture stunning, affordable, original images & memories, @redpebblehove
Find full listing online, scan QR code or visit: thefamilygrapevine. co.uk/brighton-hove/ directory/parties/
Antenatal/Postnatal • Babies • Baby Groups
Antenatal & Postnatal Groups + Support
Abi England ReflexologyPregnancy, Induction, postnatal, home visits Brighton & Hove, 07515 872376
Mum On The Run, pre/postnatal fitness classes; 1:2:1 training; running coaching, Fri 11am: Preston Park, book via Happity: @mumontherun, mumontherunbrighton.com (see advert)
Private pregnancy yoga, Brighton, affordable rates, tailored to your needs, 07879 638286
Restore Fitness Therapies, pre & post natal pilates, face to face & online, 07919 185100
Ubermummies, fitness session where you can bring your child, Hove & online, 07909 542280
Baby + Childrenswear
SuperLooper, Brighton’s baby clothing rental library, save money & reduce waste! 0-24mths, 07971 163845 (see advert)
Other Baby Groups
Baby Time Group, Peacehaven
Family Hub, drop in/all year round, Mon 11.15am-12.15pm, 0-12mths, free, 01273 336930
Hartbeeps, sensory music classes for babies, Brighton: Tue at Brighton Girls Prep School, Wed at Yellowave & Fri at Yellowave & Blue Lagoon Warm Water Centre; Hove: Thur at St George's RC Church; Southwick: Mon at Southwick Comm. Centre; Shoreham: Thu at the Shoreham Centre, 07786 446119 (see advert)
Hanover Playgroup, Hanover Com. Centre, 9.30-11.30am, find on FB
Jump for Joy Play & Learn
Drop-in, Whitehawk Family Hub, 18mths-5yrs, 10-11.30am, 01273 293545
Jungle Fun Session, Stanley
Deason BN2 5PB, 9.30-11am, 01273 694281
Kids Session, Puzzle Bored, see Mon Little Angels Playgroup, drop in, St Michael’s place BN1 3FU, 9.30-11am, 07813 098049
Little Boat Soft Play, Old Boat Corner, Hollingbury, 9am-noon, 01273 540779
Little Lambs, Holy Cross Church hall, Woodingdean BN2 6BD, 10.30-11.30am, FB:@ LMPersonalTutoring
Little Lions baby & toddler stay & play, St Leonard’s Hall, BN3 5SL, 9.30-11am, 01273 027300
Mini Mee’s play group, see Tue. Noah’s Ark, Hounsom Memorial Church Hall BN3 7NG, 0-5yrs, 9.30-11.30 am, 01273 551926
Play & Learn, North Portslade Family Hub, The Rise BN41 2PY, 9.30-11am, 01273 293545
St Matthias Play Café, see Mon. Storytime at your local library, 10.15am, Coldean; Hove; Moulsecoomb: monthly last Wed; Portslade: monthly 1st Wed, 01273 290800
Toddler Time at Duke of York’s Picturehouse, Preston Circus BN1 4NA, 11am, see website Wednesday pm
Sian Ballet, parent & baby ballet, The Loft, North Laine BN1 4AN, Fri 11.30am, 16 mths-2yrs, sian_ballet@hotmail.com
South East Dance, The Dance Space, Project Female: Mini, Sat am, 4yrs+, southeastdance.org.uk
Stagecoach Performing Arts Hove, Fri pm, Sat & Sun am, 4-6yrs, 07910 193695 (see advert p.18)
Story Moves, Creative Movement classes, Patcham Com. Centre BN1 8TA, Mon, 9.30-10.15am, 18mths-5yrs, katharineleroux.co.uk
rugbytots.co.uk
Languages (find online)
Music
helen@rugbytots.co.uk
Outdoors
Hartbeeps, sensory music classes for toddlers, Brighton: Tue at Brighton Girls Prep School, Wed at Yellowave & Fri at Yellowave & Blue Lagoon Warm Water Centre; Hove: Thur at St George's RC Church; Southwick: Mon at Southwick Comm. Centre; Shoreham: Thu at the Shoreham Centre, 07786 446119 (see advert p.8)
Music for Aardvarks, weekly, year round, drop in classes with live original music, Brighton Unitarian Church, Thu & Fri 10am, 6mths4yrs, book on happity.com, 07886 927081 (see advert)
Ukeboxbaby, introducing babies & toddlers to the magic of music, Brighton Girls, Tue & Fri am, 07833 945113
Gym
+ Sport
Dyson Gymnastics, rear unit 101 Conway St, Hove BN3 3LA, Mon, Wed & Thu 1.45pm, 2.5yrs+,07760 669393 (see advert p.19)
Ninja School at The Samurai Centre, New England St, Brighton, 3½yrs+, 01273 570940
Rugbytots, weekly play sessions in Brighton, Hove, Worthing & Lewes for boys & girls 2-5yrs, 0345 3130421 (see advert)
Sea Beasts Fitness, Brighton, kids fitness classes, term time, Sun am, 2.5-5yrs, seabeastsfitness@ hotmail.com (see advert p.19)
Tennis Tots, fun group ball games & tennis sessions, Brighton & Hove, free trial available, 2yrs+, tennis-tots.com (see advert)
Fledglings: by the Beach, near the West Pier, Fri, 10am-noon; Fledglings in the Orchard, Race Hill Community Orchard, Whitehawk, Wed 10am-noon 18mths+, fledglingsinthecity@gmail.com
Saplings, St Ann’s Well Gardens, forest school for toddlers & their parents, Wed/Fri am, 18mths-4yrs, 01273 933781 (see advert p.20)
Swimming (find online)
Yoga
Balance Kids Yoga, yoga for U5s, All Saints Church, Hove, Tue 2pm, Fri 12.30 pm, 2-5yrs, 07584 208913 balancekids.co.uk
Kids’ Yoga with Iona, Blue Lagoon, Brighton BN24JE, Thu 10am & Tree of Life, Hove BN3 5QJ, Fri 9.45am, £8 per class, U5s, iona.yogaga@gmail.com (see advert)
Daycare Nurseries
For a chance to win this fantastic prize tell us why you would like to win! Scan the QR code to enter. Ts&Cs apply. Only one entry per household. Closing date 18 Aug 2024. Follow Irma on Instagram: @irma_arrowsmith Find full listing online, scan QR code or visit: thefamilygrapevine.co.uk/ brighton-hove/directory/ daycare-nurseries/
Hopscotch Children’s Nurseries:
Pre-School Nurseries
Pre-School Nurseries
Amigos Multicultural Preschool, Cornerstone Community Centre, Hove, 2-5yrs, 07835 635955
Baby Ducks Preschool, Parish Centre, South St, Portslade BN41 2LE, 2-5yrs, 01273 911373
Bee in the Woods, Forest kindergarten, 3-6yrs, 07880 727679
Find the full listing online, scan QR code or visit: thefamilygrapevine.co.uk/ brighton-hove/directory/ schools-and-education.../
Primary Schools
Carden Primary School, County Oak Avenue, Brighton BN1 8LU, 01273 916606 (see advert p.12)
Mile Oak Primary School, Graham Avenue Portslade BN41 2WN, 01273 077114 (see advert p. 13)
St Margarets CofE Primary School, Whiteway Lane, Rottingdean BN2 7HB, 01273 303109 (see advert)
St Martin’s CE Primary School, Hartington Rd, Brighton BN2 3LJ, 01273 707114 (see advert)
Language Classes
China Special, Brighton, creative Chinese Mandarin tuition, groups or 1-1, 3yrs-adult, 07796 210160
Franglophones, weekly French classes in Hove & Haywards Heath for French speaking children, lesfranglophones.co.uk
Poncho Spanish, online Spanish classes, from beginners classes to GCSE exam support, Home Ed, group sessions or 1:1, 7yrs+, ponchospanish.com (see advert)
Private German tuition in person or online, Language Garden, Brighton/ Falmer, language-garden.co.uk
SRCC Kalinka, Russian speaking language classes & cultural events, adults & children, kalinka.org.uk
The Migrant English Project, free informal English lessons for refugees, asylum seekers & migrants, 01273 696104
Tutoring (see online)
Independent Schools
Bartholomews Tutorial College
Brighton (aka ‘Barts’), small independent 1:1 college, GCSE, A levels, bartscollege.co.uk
Brighton School of Samba, dance drumming, percussion, all ages, info@brightonschoolofsamba.org.uk
Brighton Theatre Group Youth, musical theatre productions, FB: @Brighton Theatre Group
Dance Art Studio, Fiveways/Preston Park, ballet, tap, modern, classical, jazz, contemporary, street dance, 3yrs+; Boys Beat: tap, street dance & combined jazz lesson for boys, Fri pm, 5yrs+, 07709 324160 (see advert)
Get Creative in Brighton, Patcham Methodist Hall, monthly drama & dance, 5-11yrs, Sat 9.30-11am, 07967 633438
Stagecoach Performing Arts Hove, Fri pm, Sat & Sun am, 4-18yrs, 07910 193695 (see advert)
Kids’ Yoga with Iona, Blue Lagoon, Brighton BN24JE, Thu 4pm & Tree of Life, Hove BN3 5QJ, Fri 9.45am, £8 per class, U5s, iona.yogaga@ gmail.com (see advert p.10)
HOLiDAY FUN
BACK-TO-NATURE Campsites
Boathouse Farm Camping, Uckfield TN22 5TY, grass pitch camping on a traditional working organic farm, situated next to the river Ouse, contact via email or Facebook
Bramley Park Camping, Polegate BN26 5PH, camping & glamping site located in an AONB, the South Downs NP, 07763 832525
Chalky Downs Campsite, Bevendean Farm BN2 6AF, stunning views over the South Downs, May-Sep, 01273 673004
Cuckoo Camp, Church Farm, Climping/Littlehampton BN17 5RR. Family run small campsite on the south coast alongside the river Arun, close to Climping beach (30 min walk), dog friendly, 07759 172021
Foxwood Camping, Patching BN13 3UL nr Worthing, woodland camping with your own fire pit, nestled within the South Downs NP, holidays & weekend, end April–Sep, 07983 151780
Hale Farm, Hale Green, Chiddingly BN8 6HQ, camping, glamping, spacious pitch with a fire pit, beautiful views, adjacent footpath linking to the Weald Way, farm visit 9-11am (no additional charge), 07711 695189
Hook Farm Campsite, West Hoathly RH19 4PT. Beautiful views of the Sussex Weald, weekends & bank holiday only, May-Sep, 01342 811113
Lewes Wild Willows Camping, Lower Stoneham Farm, Lewes BN8 5RJ, lovely family friendly campsite based on the river Ouse, 07534 253846
New Wharf, Steyning BN44 3AL, family run campsite and farm with private and easy access to the river Adur. Pitches and shepherd huts, 5m bell tents available for rent, 07830 659903
The Mac’s Farm Campsite, Ditchling BN6 8GT, camping & glamping, nestled in the South Downs NP, peaceful, family campsite on a working organic egg farm, weekends & mid-week, 01273 845189
Wild Combe Camping, Elsted, Midhurst GU29 0JY, campsite surrounded by beautiful unspoiled countryside and access to reservoir for swimming, kayaking & SUP, 07775 568415
Find LOTS MORE ONLINEscan the QR code!
Eloquent Bakes, 174 Portland Rd, Hove BN3 5QN. Coffee shop, soft play & toy area for the little ones, 07940 442993
Jack & Jill Inn, Clayton BN6 9PD. Big garden, play area & children’s menu, 01273 843595
House of Culture, holiday art sessions, Brighton, 5-11yrs, houseofculturebrighton.org
Italia Conti, Performing Arts Summer School, Ralli Hall, 7-11 Aug, Hove, 6-15yrs, 07956 890307
Out of The Box Creative Arts, holiday/summer workshops, Facebook: @outoftheboxcreate Philharmonic Friends Youth Orchestra Club, bespoke parts all levels, Hanover CCentre, 29July2 Aug, philharmonic-friends.co.uk
SUMMER Workshops with Stagecoach Hove, Aldrington PS, ‘The Wind in the Willows’: 12-16 Aug for 6-10yrs; 'Candy Shop': 19-22 Aug (am) for 4-6yrs; 'Mission Impossible': 19-23 Aug for 10-16yrs, 07910 193695 (see advert p.18)
The Young Actors Group, Make a Movie Week, Dyke Rd, 29 July-2 Aug, 9.30am-3pm, 1119yrs, 07709 446816
Brighton Footgolf, Hove BN3 8EB, game involving kicking a football into a hole, 9- or 18-hole available, 3yrs+.
Brighton Museum & Art Gallery BN1 1EE. History of Brighton, pottery, fashion & more (FREE for Brighton/Hove residents).
Brighton Sea Life Centre Marine Parade. The world’s oldest operating aquarium with over 1,500 creatures.
Brighton Toy & Model Museum, Trafalgar St, BN1 4EB. toys, models, inc. 2 working model railways.
Brighton Zip, Madeira Drive BN2 1TB. The longest zip wire on the South Coast, boasting a 300m long run down Brighton beach, dual riders as 2 people can ride simultaneously, 8yrs+
Coombes Farm Maize Maze, nr Lancing BN15 0RS. Throughout August, check Facebook page for opening date (see advert p.23) Globalls, Brighton Marina, 12 hole indoor themed-ultraviolet crazy golf. Hove Lagoon & Paddling Pool, enclosed playground located on the seafront, Big Beach Café, skate park & picnic tables.
Hove Museum of Creativity, Hove BN3 4AB. Toys, cinema, local history & fine art, children’s activities, cafe, FREE admission.
Pier Pressure Escape Rooms, Brighton’s biggest escape rooms venue with 5 top rated games to choose from, 12yrs+.
Preston Park Brighton BN1 6HN.
Largest urban park, playground & cycle velodrome, large rockery, walled garden, cafés.
Puzzle Bored, 27 New Rd, Brighton BN1 1UG. Coffee shop, jigsaw puzzle space & shop selling puzzles with artwork from local artists! Open Mon-Sat 10-6pm & Sun 12-5pm, events.
Rampion Offshore Wind Visitor Centre, Kings Road Arches, east from i360. Hands-on exhibitions, interactive displays, games, videos & 360˚ VR wind farm experience, 10am-6pm, holidays activities, FREE entry. (see advert)
Royal Pavilion Brighton, built between 1787 & 1823, exotic oriental appearance inside & out.
Stanmer Park, Falmer. Park, walks, football pitches, village, home to Earthship Brighton & One Garden
Sussex Dolphin Project Boat Trips, tours around the Sussex Coast: Seven Sisters (6yrs+); Brighton Sunset Wildlife Cruise, (2yrs+); Rampion Wind Farm, (10yrs+); Beachy Head (8yrs+), June to Aug (selected Fri-Sun), 01273 355011 (see advert p.4) Undercliff Walk just over 5km from Brighton Marina to Saltdean. Yellowave Beach Sports, Brighton Beach, beach volleyball/ soccer, tag rugby, clubhouse for hire & private parties, 6yrs+. (see advert)
Bedgebury Pinetum Goudhurst TN17 2SJ. 2,000-acre forest with numerous walks, cycling trails, mountain bike & dirt jump area, adventure play trail, café.
British Wildlife Centre Surrey RH7 6LF. Over 40 British animals inc. red squirrel, otters, foxes, deer. Butterfly Gardens at Middleton Common Farm, Ditchling. Free flying butterflies from all over.
Cuckmere Valley & Seven Sisters Country Park Chalk cliffs, stunning views on the Seven Sisters & the river valley, rock pooling, cycling to the beach. From there walk to or visit Burling Gap Friston Forest Exceat, walks, cycling, mountain biking, play area Drusillas Park off the A27, BN26 5QS. Zoo, ride, adventure playgrounds, splash park, cafes. Knockhatch Adventure Park Hailsham BN27 3GD. Animals, falconry, soft play’, outdoor playgrounds, splash park & more.
Lewes Castle & Barbican House Museum. 1,000 year old Norman Castle, museum of Archaeology. Nymans House & Gardens NT, Handcross, RH17 6EB. Natural play trail,lovely walks in the Millennium Wood, holiday trails. (see advert p.5)
Peacehaven Big Park, BN10 8RH. Skate park, playgrounds, climbing wall, café, links to the South Downs. Pagham Harbour (RSPB) Nature Reserve, Chichester PO20 7NE. Protected wetland bird & wildlife habitat & visitor, activities & events. (see advert p.5)
Pulborough Brooks (RSPB) RH20 2EL. In the Arun Valley nature reserve, incl. nature-themed activities guided walks, café & shop, pushchairs & wheelchairs access. (see advert p.5)
South Downs Planetarium & Science Centre, Chichester (satnav PO19 8AE). educational outlet, group shows as public shows - check website for dates. Standen House & Garden NT, nr East Grinstead RH19 4NE. Arts & Crafts family home with Morris & Co interiors, great views, woodland play area, seasonal events. (see advert p.5)
The Novium Museum Chichester PO19 1QH. Built over the remains of a Roman bathhouse, fantastic exhibitions, admission FREE.
Wakehurst Gardens & Millennium Seed Bank nr Haywards Heath (Metrobus 272). ‘Kew in the Country’, botanic gardens, walks, natural play spaces, restaurant, café, dog-friendly areas, seasonal trails. (see advert below + competition p.23)
Woods Mill Nature Reserve Henfield BN5 9SD. Sussex Wildlife Trust HQ, nature reserve, woodland, meadows & reed-fringed lake, FREE. WWT Arundel Wetland Centre BN18 9PB, nature reserve, guided boat safari, adventure playground, children’s activities, visitor centre & café, family trails & events during the holidays and all year round. (see advert p.5)
Let little legs explore our landscape this summer
Adur Estuary, Shoreham (RSPB) ramble around the edges of the river, park at the Rec grounds. (see advert p.5)
Ashdown Forest Centre Wych Cross, RH18 5JP. Once a Norman deer hunting forest, now free public access space & the ‘home’ of Winnie the Pooh Haywards Heath, West Sussex kew.org/wakehurst/families
WHAT'S ON This SUMMER
July
Until the 21st July
Mr Men and Little Miss exhibition, Helm Gallery, Brighton, FREE.
Until the 10th September
Meadowland, Wakehurst, a celebration of meadows (see advert p.22 & competition here)
Until the 14th September
Summer Reading Challenge
'Marvellous Makers' | 4-11yrs, at your local library or sign up online, a celebration of the Creative Arts.
Until the 27th October
Bloomin' Brilliant: The Life & Work of Raymond Briggs, Ditchling Museum of Art + Craft.
6 July
The Tiny Beasts Bug Hunt, South Downs NT, meet at Mile Oak Farm or up the hill, drop-in,11am -2pm, Free.
6 July - 1 September
Escape to the Country, Standen House & Garden - National Trust, traditional family activities & trail (see advert p.5)
