Places to Visit Around Sussex

flying displays, gardens and Meet an Owl. Open on weekends in winter, 11am – 4pm, and from Easter – October half term from Wednesday – Saturday, plus bank holidays from 11am – 5pm and Sundays 11am – 4.30pm.

Family Farms

Coombes Farm near Lancing BN15 0RS. Working farm open for lambing visits in early January [7-29 January 2023] and spring [11 March-16 April 2023]. Ewes lambing, cows calving, tractor rides & stunning views. Maize Maze in August, weather permitting. Book online in advance for visits and group tours during the summer, open some Sundays and school holidays for individual bookings. See advert

Ferring Country Centre Rife Way, Ferring, Worthing BN12 5JZ –01903 245078. Meet the farm animals, walk the nature trails and enjoy the café, soft play and garden centre. Special Riding Therapy Unit for those with learning and physical disabilities. Open 7 days a week.

Fishers Farm Park Newpound Lane, Wisborough Green RH14 0EG – 01403 700063. Lots of animals, rides and adventure playgrounds, summer splash attack and beach, theatre, indoor soft play area for toddlers – 10 year olds, gift shop and regular seasonal events. Open every day 10am – 5pm or until dusk in winter.

Godstone Farm Surrey RH9 8LX. Indoor and outdoor play areas, ‘The World of Dinosaur Roar’, soft play, ride-ons, go karts, trampolines, farm animals, petting zoo, pony and tractor rides. See advert

Heaven Farm Furners Green, Uckfield TN22 3RG. 100-acre farm on the Greenwich Meridian, with nature walks, wallabies, deer, seasonal bluebell trail, tea room, indoor play barn, ice cream parlour, adventure golf and camping.

Tulleys Farm Turners Hill, Crawley RH10 4PE – 01342 718472. Metrobus 84. One of the country’s best rated Escape Room settings. Special seasonal events; PYO in summer and autumn, ice skating and Santa’s Grotto in winter.

Animals, Sealife and Nature

Arundel Wetland Centre Mill Road, Arundel BN18 9PB – 01903 883355. Nature reserve in the South Downs with guided boat safaris through the wetland habitat. With adventure playground, children’s weekend and holiday activities and a visitor centre with gift shop and café. Open every day except Christmas Day 10am –4.30pm.

Donkey Walking Experiences East Clayton Farm, Storrington Road, Washington RH20 4AG. All walks are accompanied by a farm host who will guide you and help you manage your donkeys.

Huxley’s Birds of Prey Centre at Hilliers Garden Centre, Brighton Road (A281), Horsham RH13 6QA – 01403 273458. Bird of prey

Pagham Harbour (RSPB) Local Nature Reserve, Selsey Road, Chichester PO20 7NE – 01243 641508. Protected wetland bird and wildlife habitat and visitor centre running child-friendly educational activities and events. Visitor Centre open daily 10am-4pm.

Pulborough Brooks (RSPB)

RH20 2EL – 01798 875851. Located in the Arun Valley nature reserve, includes plenty of nature-themed activities from bug hunting to den building and pond dipping to bird watching. With guided walks, café and shop. Good access for pushchairs and wheelchairs. Visitor centre open every day 10am –4pm.

Tilgate Park, Crawley RH10 5PQ Metrobus 271 and 273. Outdoor play area, hedge maze, tea shop, woodland and lakeside walks, Go Ape, Golf Centre, Smith and Western restaurant, fishing and water sports with Tilgate Watersports. Tilgate Nature Centre – 01293 521168 open winter 10am – 4pm, summer 10am – 6pm, last admission 1 hour before closing.

Woods Mill Nature Reserve Henfield BN5 9SD – 01273 492630. Headquarters of Sussex Wildlife Trust and an environmental education centre with pre-bookable regular and holiday activities. The 47-acre nature reserve provides a peaceful setting comprising coppice woodland, meadows and a reed-fringed lake. Open all year, except for two weeks at Christmas, admission free, donations very welcome, no dogs except assistance dogs.

Walking, Cycling and Open Spaces

Aldingbourne Trust Country Centre Blackmill Lane, Norton, Chichester PO18 0JP – 01243 542075. Woodland walks, open farm, mini tractors, outdoor and indoor play areas, sand and water play areas and mini golf, with award-winning café. Open 7 days a week, 10am – 4pm.

Ardingly Reservoir West Sussex RH17 6SQ – 01444 892549. The Kingfisher Trail nature walk and limited cycling/horse riding. Ardingly Activity Centre water sports centre with pre-bookable activities such as sailing, windsurfing, kayaking, rowing and raft building.

Arundel Castle and Gardens Arundel BN18 9AB – 01903 882173. Open 1st April – 31st October, Tuesday – Sunday 10am – 5pm, plus bank holidays and Mondays in August. With restaurant, coffee shop, gift shop and 40 acres of sweeping grounds and gardens, Arundel Castle has been open to visitors seasonally for nearly 200 years. It is one of the great treasure houses of England, and is home to priceless works of art; view paintings, furniture, tapestries, stained glass, china, clocks, sculpture, carving, heraldry and armour in stunning room settings.