East Sussex is a scenic ceremonial county in South East England known for its historic landmarks, dramatic cliffs like the Seven Sisters, vibrant coastal towns, and rich cultural festivals.
5 Dec
Participants learn to make a bespoke festive wreath under the guidance of a florist, using supplied materials alongside foliage, ribbon and decorations they bring themselves. The workshop is suitable for all abilities.
Alfriston Clergy House is a modest 14th-century Wealden hall house in East Sussex, notable as the first property acquired by the National Trust. It features timber framing, a thatched roof, and a historic cottage garden, offering visitors an authentic glimpse into medieval domestic architecture.
24 Oct–1 Nov
A family Halloween event at Battle Abbey featuring interactive storytelling, spooky games, a themed trail and a seasonal selfie spot. Visitors can also enter the daily fancy-dress competition.
6 Nov
A talk exploring how Diwali, Indian mythology and culture influenced Rudyard Kipling’s life and writing, with objects from the Bateman’s collection.
Battle Abbey is a historic Benedictine abbey site in East Sussex, England, built on the site of the Battle of Hastings. Visitors can explore the abbey ruins, enjoy the visitor centre with exhibitions and film, participate in audio tours of the battlefield, and use child-friendly facilities including a discovery room and playground.
12 Oct (next Monday)
A guided walk of approximately 4.5 miles from Alfriston, climbing onto the Downs for views across the South Downs before descending to the Cuckmere valley and Lullington Church.
Drusillas Zoo Park is a small family-run zoo in East Sussex featuring a variety of small animals and primates, interactive children's play areas, rides, and educational exhibits, providing both indoor and outdoor experiences for visitors of all ages.
19 Nov
Historian Tom Licence discusses and signs his book *Harold: Warrior King*, exploring the Anglo-Saxon king and the events surrounding the Battle of Hastings.
The Battle of Hastings site near Battle, East Sussex, marks the location of the pivotal 1066 battle between the Normans and Anglo-Saxons that shaped English history. Visitors can explore the battlefield, Battle Abbey ruins, and learn about this decisive Norman victory and its aftermath.
Battle is a historic market town in East Sussex famous for the 1066 Battle of Hastings and its medieval abbey, with a charming high street, cultural heritage, and scenic walking opportunities.
30 Oct
Children can take part in a 45-minute Halloween craft session with Nature Nurture Sussex, making and decorating a wooden spider or snake to take home using child-safe tools and craft materials.
Borde Hill is a Grade II* listed English Heritage Garden set within 383 acres of woodland and parkland, famous for its diverse collection of unusual trees and shrubs and distinct garden 'rooms'. Visitors can enjoy scenic views, wheelchair accessible facilities, and family-friendly amenities including a cafe and picnic area.
21 Nov–23 Dec, 26 Dec 2026–3 Jan 2027
A Christmas event at Scotney Castle featuring fairytale-inspired decorations in the Mansion, evening illuminations and an outdoor gingerbread trail. Visitors can explore the displays and grounds, with bookable lunches and separate late-night events also offered.
Scotney Castle in Kent is a National Trust property featuring a medieval moated manor ruins and an early Tudor Revival country house surrounded by picturesque gardens with seasonal floral displays. Visitors can explore both indoor historic house spaces and outdoor gardens with historical and natural highlights.
10 Oct–1 Nov (next week)
A Halloween activity trail at Nymans, inspired by the children’s books. Follow the bunnies’ ghost-hunting adventure, try activities including Halloween hoopla and broomstick racing, and collect a sticker at the celebration party.
Nymans is a Grade II* listed English garden in West Sussex, featuring extensive woodland, rare plants, and the picturesque ruins of a mock-medieval stone manor. Managed by the National Trust, it showcases a variety of historic horticultural styles and plant collections.
27 Sep, 8 Oct…
Bateman’s gardeners give a short talk about the Mulberry Garden Project, covering the planned changes, the historical research behind them and how the project reflects the garden during Rudyard Kipling’s lifetime. Attendees can ask questions about the project.
6–7 Oct, 12–14 Oct…
A volunteer-led tour in Bodiam Castle’s courtyard introduces the castle’s history and the people who built, lived and worked there.
Merriments Gardens is a creatively designed four-acre outdoor garden featuring sub-tropical and herbaceous borders, water features including ponds and a waterfall, and a wildlife area with bird-hide. It offers a vibrant seasonal display of plants and an organic vegetable garden providing produce for the on-site restaurant.
17 Oct (next Saturday)
A full-day wellbeing retreat led by movement teacher Carl Faure, combining guided movement, breathwork and relaxation with a seasonal lunch, woodland sauna and cold plunge, time outdoors and a closing fire circle. No previous experience is needed.
Wakehurst is a historic estate in West Sussex featuring a late 16th-century mansion, extensive botanic gardens, and the international Millennium Seed Bank. Visitors can explore the gardens and mansion, enjoy the woodland and wetland conservation areas, and dine onsite. It offers a rich horticultural experience including the largest Christmas tree in England and national plant collections.
30 Nov–4 Dec, 7–11 Dec…
A two- or three-course Christmas lunch with hot drinks and a mince pie, served in the Wharf Tea-room at Bodiam Castle. Guests can choose from seasonal starters, main courses and desserts.
Bodiam Castle is a 14th-century moated castle in East Sussex, England, known for its distinctive quadrangular design with towers and battlements. Set in a landscaped environment with an ornamental moat, it showcases medieval architecture and history. The castle is a ruin open to the public under the care of the National Trust and has been featured in films and television.
15 Oct, 3 Nov
Join professional forager Megan Howlett for a walk and talk through Sheffield Park’s gardens, exploring seasonal wild foods and learning about their folklore, history, uses and edibility.
Sheffield Park and Garden is a large landscape and woodland garden in East Sussex, originally designed by Capability Brown. It features a significant collection of rare plants and trees, natural ponds, and extensive grounds for outdoor exploration. The garden remains a National Trust property and offers visitors a serene and historic natural environment.
10 Oct–1 Nov (next week)
Families can follow a magical, Halloween-themed trail around Bodiam Castle, making potions, discovering spells and taking part in activities. On weekends, visitors can also enter a spooky best-dressed costume competition in the castle courtyard.
10–11 Oct, 17–18 Oct…
Visitors can dress up in Halloween costumes, take spooky photos and enter the best-dressed competition in Bodiam Castle’s courtyard.
Great Dixter House & Gardens is a renowned historic house and garden in East Sussex featuring Christopher Lloyd's renowned horticultural design, accessible grounds, a café, a shop, and educational tours, suitable for visitors interested in gardening and heritage.
29–31 Oct
Canopy Tree Climbing offers one-hour recreational climbing sessions in Borde Hill’s woodland, where participants use specialist equipment and are guided by experienced instructors. The activity is open to climbers aged six and over, including families and adults.
High Beeches Woodland & Water Garden in West Sussex is a 27-acre botanical garden featuring rare and exotic plants, woodland glades, water gardens, and an ancient wildflower meadow. Visitors can enjoy seasonal displays, owner guided tours, a picnic area, and accessible facilities in a peaceful outdoor setting.
6–30 Oct (another 21 days)
A short outdoor introductory talk gives an overview of Rudyard Kipling’s life, family and writing, and explains his connection to Bateman’s before visitors go inside the house.
Bateman's is a 17th-century Jacobean house in Burwash, East Sussex, known as the home of Rudyard Kipling. Visitors can explore the house preserved as it was in Kipling's time, including his study and collections, as well as the garden and the historic water mill on the estate.
28 Nov–23 Dec, 26 Dec 2026–3 Jan 2027
Christmas at Sissinghurst offers a seasonal visit to the garden, with autumn colours, natural decorations and annual wreath-making workshops. Christmas lunches and seasonal items are also available during the event period.
Sissinghurst Castle Garden in Kent is a renowned historic garden created by Vita Sackville-West and Harold Nicolson, featuring an influential series of garden rooms, including the iconic White Garden. Located on Tudor-era estate buildings, it showcases a vast collection of old garden roses and other plants, attracting large numbers of visitors and managed by the National Trust.
26 Dec 2026–3 Jan 2027
Visitors can take a self-led festive walk around the garden with their dogs, and festively dressed dogs receive a treat.
10 Oct (this Saturday)
A local mycologist leads a circular walk through the woods and meadows of Borde Hill’s South Park to explore fungi. Afterwards, attendees can ask questions over tea, coffee and cake inside the Ginkgo Coffee Shop.
Standen is an Arts and Crafts house in West Sussex, featuring original Morris & Co. interiors and an extensive Arts and Crafts garden. Visitors can explore the historic house and surrounding gardens managed by the National Trust.
9–10 Oct (another 1 day)
A book sale in the lower parlour offers an eclectic range of books across different genres, available by donation.
Cuckmere Valley is a scenic outdoor nature reserve in East Sussex known for its striking views of the Seven Sisters cliffs, diverse wildlife, species-rich chalk grassland, historical WWII artefacts, and family-friendly walking trails along the river and hills.
21 Nov–23 Dec, 26 Dec 2026–5 Jan 2027
Visitors can explore Standen House decorated for Christmas, with festive displays inspired by the Beale family’s storytelling and the house’s Arts and Crafts interiors.
Hammerwood Park is a historic country house in Sussex designed by architect B H Latrobe, open for guided tours during summer which explore its rich architectural and social history. Visitors can enjoy both the restored interiors and the surrounding parkland gardens, with facilities including a café and pet-friendly outdoor areas.
9–13 Oct, 16–20 Oct…
An exhibition exploring the connection between Max Beerbohm and Henry James, featuring Beerbohm’s caricatures of James alongside sketches by William Rothenstein and John Singer Sargent.
Lamb House is an 18th-century writer's house museum in Rye, East Sussex, showcasing the home and garden of renowned authors like Henry James. Visitors can explore the historic interiors and the walled garden, enjoying both indoor and outdoor heritage experiences.
Rye is a picturesque historic town in East Sussex, known for its medieval streets, cobbled lanes, and rich maritime history as a former Cinque Port. It offers a vibrant arts scene, cultural festivals, and local seafood specialties, making it a popular tourist destination.
26 Sep 2026–6 Jun 2027 (another 240 days)
An exhibition exploring the influence of Italy on Vita Sackville-West and Harold Nicolson, featuring objects, love letters, photographs and multimedia experiences.
8 Oct–8 Nov (another 30 days)
Celebrate Diwali at Bateman’s with displays of Indian objects, artworks and decorations, family crafts, and opportunities to browse Indian gifts and books. The event also highlights Rudyard Kipling’s connections with India.
3 Nov
A hands-on Indian woodblock-printing workshop led by textile print artist Sarita Prints Joy. Participants will experiment with patterns and colours, practise designs on paper, then print a cushion cover to take home.
14 Nov–23 Dec, 26 Dec 2026–3 Jan 2027
Visitors can explore Christmas scenes from Rudyard Kipling’s The Jungle Book brought to life inside Bateman’s, and look for characters in the garden using a Christmas spotter sheet.
7 Oct, 14 Oct…
Visitors can view a display of medieval armour at Bodiam Castle and learn from volunteer experts about how armour evolved during the Middle Ages.
7 Oct, 14 Oct…
Visitors can meet the millers at Bateman’s Park Mill, watch them demonstrate traditional grain grinding, and ask questions about the flour-milling process.
8 Dec, 16 Dec
Participants are guided through making a personalised Christmas wreath using fresh foliage gathered from the Bodiam Castle estate. The two-hour workshop includes materials, tuition, hot drinks and festive treats.
Pashley Manor Gardens offers 11 acres of beautifully maintained English country gardens surrounding a historic Grade I listed manor house. Visitors can enjoy seasonal displays of flowers including tulips, roses, and dahlias, art exhibitions, and a café with garden views. The site provides good wheelchair accessibility and facilities including accessible parking and toilets. Admission is free for Historic Houses members, with fees for others, especially during the annual Tulip Festival.
12 Nov
A festive candle-making workshop at Borde Hill House where participants make and decorate three scented soy-wax votive candles, with guidance on candle-making and fragrance blending.
26 Oct
Children join Professor Hiccup for a Halloween-themed magic show, with visual effects, tricks and opportunities to learn and demonstrate magic as his apprentices.
7–11 Oct, 14–18 Oct…
A display at Smallhythe Place traces changes in women’s fashion from the late 1800s into the 1900s, using clothing, photographs and paintings to explore changing attitudes and the lives of some of the house’s residents.
Smallhythe Place is a Tudor-era historic house and theatre museum in Kent, dedicated to Victorian actress Ellen Terry, featuring her theatrical collection, costume displays, beautiful gardens, and an active barn theatre hosting numerous productions annually.
6 Nov
Join an expert guide and BSL interpreter for a small-group tour of Bateman’s, exploring the house’s history and its connections to the Kipling family. The tour includes access to the house and its collection with simultaneous BSL interpretation.
8 Oct
A two-hour watercolour workshop led by botanical artist Penny Sanderson, exploring autumn subjects such as fungi, conkers, leaves and seeds. Participants will work on composition and drawing and learn watercolour techniques; materials are provided.
17 Oct (next Saturday)
Participants make a 14-inch moss-based autumn wreath in a two-hour workshop led by a florist and gardener, using sustainably sourced foliage and seasonal materials. Materials are provided, and the ticket includes refreshments and Garden entry.
28 Oct, 25 Nov
A monthly community coffee morning at Lamb House, with a hosted Chatter & Natter table for people to meet and talk. Visitors can drop in for a chat or enjoy the garden and a courtesy cup of tea or coffee.
Camber Castle is a 16th-century Device Fort built by Henry VIII near Rye, East Sussex, to protect the coast from invasion. It is a ruined concentric artillery fortress operated by English Heritage, open to visitors for guided tours. The castle is notable for its historic military architecture and coastal location.
19 Nov
A festive embroidery workshop led by textile artist Beth Power, where attendees make a fabric bauble using embroidery stitches, fabrics and trims. The session is suitable for beginners and those with stitching experience.
9 Oct, 16 Oct…
Join a costumed medieval character for a guided tour around Bodiam Castle’s moat, hearing about the castle’s construction, landscape and past inhabitants.
13 Jun–1 Nov (another 23 days)
An exhibition at Nymans exploring the life and creative work of stage designer Oliver Messel, including objects relating to his work in interior design, film and theatre. A display in the Oriel Room features costumes created by students at Wimbledon College of Arts and inspired by Messel.
Leonardslee Lakes & Gardens is a historic 240-acre Grade I-listed garden in West Sussex featuring woodlands, lakes, diverse wildlife including deer and wallabies, champion trees, and a sculpture park with an art gallery. Visitors can enjoy both outdoor exploration and indoor exhibitions, alongside food and drink at the on-site Clocktower Kitchen.
30 Nov–4 Dec, 8–9 Dec…
A festive Christmas lunch in the Coach House tea-room, with a choice of two or three courses, crackers and a mince pie. Vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free options are available.
Bayham Old Abbey is a historic 13th-century Premonstratensian abbey ruins located near Lamberhurst, Kent. Now maintained by English Heritage, visitors can explore scenic outdoor ruins featuring ornate stonework and a nearby gatehouse, set within landscaped grounds enhanced by famous landscape gardener Humphry Repton.
7 Nov
Members can take part in a hands-on embroidery workshop at Battle Abbey, creating a textile piece inspired by the Bayeux Tapestry. The session is suitable for beginners and experienced stitchers.
1066 Battle of Hastings, Abbey and Battlefield offers a combined indoor and outdoor historical experience including a visitor centre with interactive displays, battlefield walks with audio tours, abbey ruins, and a gatehouse exhibition, alongside a café and children's playground.
27 Oct
Children can make and personalise a wand during a supervised Halloween activity, with the chance to try casting spells. The session is led by Nature Nurture Sussex, and children must be accompanied by an adult.
17 Oct (next Saturday)
An adults-only, full-day art workshop led by artist John Thompson, where participants create an acrylic painting inspired by nature. The workshop takes place in Nymans’ Potting Shed.
2 Dec
Participants learn the ancient Persian craft of Paper Monabbat-Kari and make a festive decoration for their home. The workshop is led by artist Thurle Wright and includes materials, tuition, refreshments and a keepsake to take home.
18 Oct (next Sunday)
A guided walk through High Beeches Garden led by senior gardener Elliot Chandler, with opportunities to identify autumn fungi and learn how the gardens are managed to support wildlife. Participants can explore the rest of the garden after the tour.
Tilgate Zoo is a small accredited zoo located in Tilgate Park, Crawley, featuring 74 animal species across geographical zones with interactive experiences and conservation programs.
17 Oct–1 Nov
A Halloween half-term trail around Scotney Castle’s moat, where families can search for hidden monsters, complete challenges and solve clues to find the monsters’ party location. Younger children can follow a spotter trail, while older children can try riddles and collect clues.
26 Dec
Join a ranger for an approximately two-hour guided walk around the Bateman’s estate, learning about its history and work to enhance biodiversity.
5 Oct–1 Nov (another 23 days)
A Halloween-themed trail around the garden, with spooky features including creepy crows and Standen bats. Visitors can explore the Spookiful Bothy and take part in creative activities in the Witchard den.
30 Oct
An advanced photography workshop at Sheffield Park and Garden, led by professional photographer Roger Bloxham. Participants practise in the garden’s early morning light and develop their photography skills and techniques.
8 Oct
A hands-on workshop led by designer Christine Leech, where participants use lightweight copper sheets and simple embossing techniques to make hanging ornaments inspired by William Morris’s Strawberry Thief design. The ornaments can be hung individually or arranged as a garland.
5–9 Dec
Families can follow Ivy’s Christmas story trail around the garden, while children can also book a festive session with Elf Training Camp activities and a visit to Santa’s grotto.
28 Oct
Children and families can watch Tomfoolery’s 45-minute Halloween show, featuring comedy, magic, spooky surprises and audience participation.
7–11 Oct, 14–18 Oct…
Visitors can discover collection items linked to the history of Smallhythe Place and Ellen Terry, including theatre props and historic pub objects from the 1800s. The items are rotated monthly and displayed inside the house.
9–13 Oct, 16–20 Oct…
Visitors can discover a featured novel inspired by or connected to Lamb House and the history of its notable residents. The featured book changes monthly.
7 Oct–15 Nov (another 37 days)
Visitors use the Stranger Folk app to take part in an outdoor, games-based adventure inspired by British folklore. Guided by the Old Crone, teams complete magical tasks to find the Stranger Folk and decide their fate.
21 Nov
Astronomer Jane Green gives a visual and audio-visual talk exploring the cosmos, followed by stargazing opportunities with the Seven Sisters Astronomy Group. The evening is presented as suitable for families, beginners and experienced stargazers.
10–11 Oct (this weekend)
A large-scale re-enactment of the Battle of Hastings, with Saxon and Norman soldiers, living history camps, falconry displays, traditional music and a performance telling the story of the Bayeux Tapestry. Children can take part in sword school and a re-creation of the battle.
14 Nov–23 Dec, 26 Dec 2026–3 Jan 2027
Families can pick up a free spotter trail sheet and explore the garden at Bateman’s, looking for festive characters from The Jungle Book.
17 Oct (next Saturday)
A beginner photography workshop at Sheffield Park and Garden, led by professional photographer Roger Bloxham. Attendees can practise in the garden’s early morning light and develop their photography skills and techniques.
21 Nov–23 Dec, 26 Dec 2026–5 Jan 2027
Follow a Christmas trail around the garden, helping the Merry Mice family put right their festive mischief. The trail includes sing-along moments and family games, and is aimed at children aged 3–8.
5–8 Dec, 11–15 Dec…
Visitors can explore Lamb House decorated for Christmas, transformed into Mallards, the fictional home from E.F. Benson’s Mapp & Lucia novels. The event features handcrafted decorations and seasonal greenery.
27 Oct
A Halloween storytelling event follows the Bunnies of Hoppity Hill on a spooky adventure to find hidden ghosts, with pumpkins, bats, owls, music and gentle scares.
9–10 Oct, 16–17 Oct…
The Big Draw at Monk's House offers a range of garden-based art activities themed around making marks, including drawing, sketching and creating pictures from natural forms. Activities are open to all ages and abilities.
27–28 Nov
Visitors can explore Alfriston Clergy House with its Hall and Parlour decorated for Christmas, and learn about the house’s winter closure and conservation work.
Firle Place is a historic country estate in East Sussex offering guided tours of its Grade One listed house with a rich collection of art and furniture, set within beautiful parkland in the South Downs National Park. Visitors can also enjoy the tea room and accessible facilities during a meaningful indoor and outdoor experience.
20–21 Nov
A two-hour Christmas calligraphy and watercolour workshop at Bateman’s, where attendees learn basic lettering techniques and create Christmas cards to take home.
6 Nov
Join a two-hour guided autumn walk through Borde Hill’s South Park woodland, learning about wild plants, trees, fungi and berries, including their edibility, uses, folklore and history.
4 Nov, 11 Nov…
A 45-minute behind-the-scenes tour of Scotney Castle’s Old Castle, covering its history, conservation, film appearances and recent archaeological work. Visitors see areas of the monument that are not normally open to the public.
14 Nov
The Homecoming is a day retreat featuring guided movement and yoga, gentle breathwork, conversation, reflection and periods of rest. It also includes a seasonal lunch, time in nature and use of a woodland sauna.
6–9 Oct, 12–16 Oct…
A 30-minute behind-the-scenes tour inside Nymans house, led by a member of the conservation team, offering a glimpse into the house.
14 Oct, 21 Oct
Visitors can enter Sheffield Park and Garden before its normal opening hours to enjoy the autumn colours, walk around the lakes and take photographs.
5 Nov
A poetry reading at Bateman’s explores Rudyard Kipling’s early poems and their connections to Diwali. Anwesha Arya and Sagar Arya will read the poems in a session lasting approximately 45 minutes.
23 May–1 Nov (another 23 days)
A family trail at Bateman’s inspired by Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler’s Monkey Puzzle. Visitors explore the house and garden, helping Little Monkey find his mum through interactive games and challenges.
27–28 Oct, 30–31 Oct
An after-hours candlelit tour of Lamb House featuring storytellers recounting tales of ghosts, seances and poltergeists, with spooky surprises along the way. Each ticket includes non-alcoholic mulled apple cider.
21 Nov, 9 Dec
Participants learn to weave a willow star for festive home decoration in a workshop led by Helen Garsed-Bennet. Festive treats, hot drinks, materials and tuition are included.
24 Oct, 26 Oct…
A family drop-in craft session at Bateman’s where children can make Diwali-inspired items, including ceramic lanterns, scratch art and rangoli cards.
11–12 Dec
An adults-only Christmas wreath-making workshop led by artist Holly Mills. Participants will learn to make a wreath using the provided materials.
28 Nov 2026–3 Jan 2027
Christmas at Bodiam Castle features festive decorations and Christmas trees inside the castle, a winter walk, a photo opportunity with Father Christmas’s sleigh and a family-friendly trail. Visitors can also write a letter to Father Christmas and enjoy seasonal refreshments.
5 Oct 2026–14 Feb 2027 (another 128 days)
An exhibition of Su Blackwell’s paper artwork, a house created from copies of Rudyard Kipling’s handwritten manuscript of The Jungle Book. The artwork is displayed in Elsie’s Room on the ground floor of Bateman’s.
21 Nov 2026–17 Jan 2027
Explore Nymans garden to find 12 artist-painted Gruffalo sculptures and try Gruffalo-inspired games and challenges. The adventure also continues inside the house, which is dressed for Christmas in a winter woodland theme.
5 Oct–1 Nov (another 23 days)
A display in Scotney Castle’s Mansion House showcases early 20th-century dresses belonging to Betty Hussey and Maud Kerr-Smiley, including a Schiaparelli designer dress. It also presents research into the garments and their owners.
28 Nov
Attend a Christmas carol concert in the hall, led by St Andrew’s Choir. The event is a standing concert from 2pm to 3pm.
The Litlington White Horse is a large outdoor chalk hill figure of a prancing horse on Hindover Hill, East Sussex. Originally cut in 1838 and recut in 1924, it is maintained by the National Trust and is a notable local landmark with historical and cultural significance, popular for hiking and scenic views.
5 Dec
Meet local artist Claire Fletcher at Bateman’s, view her watercolour illustrations and watch her demonstrate her illustration techniques. Claire will discuss her artistic journey, and visitors can ask questions.
21 Nov–23 Dec, 26 Dec 2026–4 Jan 2027
Christmas at Nymans features festive scenes in the decorated house and a family adventure trail in the garden.
20 Oct
A photography workshop at Sheffield Park and Garden, led by professional photographer Roger Bloxham, where attendees can practise composition and develop their camera skills while photographing the garden’s autumn colours.
28 Nov–23 Dec, 26 Dec 2026–10 Jan 2027
A festive trail through Sheffield Park and Garden featuring ten hand-painted Snowdog sculptures, game stops, interactive activities and seasonal surprises. The trail is inspired by The Snowman animation and is suitable for all ages.
21 Nov–23 Dec, 26 Dec 2026–3 Jan 2027
Follow an outdoor trail around the grounds to find hidden Gingerbread Men, play games and spot festive characters.
7 Oct
A hands-on workshop introducing metal embossing techniques and copper preparation, with participants making decorative hanging ornaments inspired by William Morris fruit designs. Materials are provided, and the finished ornaments can be taken home.
21 Nov–23 Dec
The Sussex Guild’s Christmas selling exhibition offers visitors a chance to browse and shop for gifts at Standen House and Garden.
14 Oct (next Wednesday)
Visitors can see conservation work on Bateman’s collection, including ships, and talk with the collections and house team. The session focuses on the ships in the Study.
30–31 Oct
Visitors can look at carved pumpkins while learning about their history, including ancient myths and folklore and their uses today.
5–6 Dec, 12–13 Dec…
Visitors can explore Standen House in the evening, with rooms lit and decorated for Christmas, and hear choirs perform by the courtyard Christmas tree. The shop and café are also open during the event.
5 Oct–31 Dec (another 83 days)
A portrait of Rudyard Kipling by Sir Philip Burne-Jones goes on display in Kipling’s Study at Bateman’s, alongside the portrait of his wife, Caroline. The display marks the start of a three-year loan from the National Portrait Gallery.
17 Sep, 2 Oct…
Join an expert volunteer for a 90-minute outdoor tour of Nymans’ trees, including its Champion Trees and seasonal highlights. The tour also explores the Messel family’s influence on the gardens and gives visitors the chance to ask questions.
27–28 Oct
Visitors can pick a pumpkin from the vegetable patch at Sissinghurst Castle Garden, with the option to join a pumpkin-carving workshop in the neighbouring picnic area.
6–9 Oct, 12–16 Oct…
A guided tour around the outside of Nymans house, exploring the building and how it developed after Ludwig Messel purchased it in 1890.
25 Jun–31 Oct (another 22 days)
A display in the ground-floor rooms of Scotney Castle’s Mansion House presents previously unseen photographs of the Old Castle and the Hussey family, drawn from the estate’s photography collection.
8 Oct, 12 Nov…
Craft Club is a monthly drop-in gathering for people to bring their own craft projects, share what they are making and craft alongside others. Limited materials are available for those who want to try a new craft.
12 Nov
Artist Eleanor May Watson leads an ink-and-wash workshop inspired by autumn landscapes and the work of Samuel Palmer. Participants will explore drawing and painting techniques and create an artwork to take home.
30 Apr, 28 May…
Visitors can watch the Bodiam Castle conservation team clean and maintain items from the collection, including medieval tiles and 19th-century prints of the castle.
23 May–1 Nov (another 23 days)
A display of four prints by Axel Scheffler from Julia Donaldson’s book *Monkey Puzzle*, showing the illustrations and their detail in the kitchen at Bateman’s.
25–26 Nov, 2–3 Dec
A two-hour Christmas wreath-making workshop led by a professional florist. Participants make and decorate a moss-based wreath using seasonal foliage and other materials.