East Sussex

3 miles from Smallhythe Place

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.

Near Devil's Dyke

Devil's Dyke near Brighton is a dramatic dry valley and scenic nature spot featuring historic hill fort remains, panoramic views, and rare chalk grassland habitat, ideal for walking, cycling, and exploring nature.

3 miles from Sheffield Park and Garden

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.

3 miles from Stranger Folk Adventure at Sheffield Park

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.

3 miles from Camber Castle

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.

2 miles from Nymans

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.

2 miles from We're Going on a Ghost Hunt this Halloween at Nymans

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.

3 miles from Fore Wood

Fore Wood is a peaceful ancient woodland near Crowhurst, East Sussex, renowned for its wildlife and rare plants including bluebells and orchids. It offers outdoor nature trails through varied terrain and is managed for conservation as a Site of Special Scientific Interest. The reserve is free to access but has limited facilities and accessibility challenges.

2 miles from Wakehurst

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.

3 miles from Fungi Walk

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.

3 miles from Battle Abbey

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.

3 miles from Battle of Hastings at Battle Abbey

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.

3 miles from Standen

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.

3 miles from Bateman's

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.

3 miles from Monkey Puzzle trail at Bateman’s

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.

3 miles from Penshurst Place and Gardens

Penshurst Place features 11 acres of historic formal gardens divided into unique themed rooms including an Italian garden and rose gardens, with facilities such as a children's play area and refreshments, offering visitors a rich outdoor horticultural experience.

3 miles from Pevensey Castle

Pevensey Castle is a historic medieval and Roman Saxon Shore fort located in East Sussex. Visitors can explore the extensive outdoor ruins of the largest Saxon Shore fort, Roman curtain walls, and Norman medieval castle remains, including inner and outer baileys. The site also features WWII defensive machine-gun posts and has a history of several significant sieges.

3 miles from 1066 Battle of Hastings, Abbey and Battlefield

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.

3 miles from Drusillas Zoo Park

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.

Near Broadwater Warren

Broadwater Warren is a nature reserve set in the High Weald Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty with heathland and woodland restoration, offering wildlife habitats for threatened species, scenic viewpoints, and accessible trails for visitors including wheelchairs and pushchairs.

3 miles from Hole Park

Hole Park is a renowned private garden in Kent featuring extensive formal and wild gardens including Bluebell Wood, wildflower meadows, and woodland. The 16-acre site offers seasonal displays of flowers and topiary with a café serving homemade teas and light lunches. Dogs on leads are welcome in the gardens and courtyard.

2 miles from Ditchling Beacon

Ditchling Beacon is the highest point in East Sussex offering extensive panoramic views, historic Iron Age hillfort remains, and scenic chalk downland walks including the South Downs Way. It is popular for walking, wildlife observation, and picnics.

Near Scotney Castle

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.

Located in Crowborough

Crowborough is a historic market town in East Sussex, notable for its picturesque setting on the edge of Ashdown Forest, outdoor recreational opportunities, and cultural heritage including ties to Sir Arthur Conan Doyle.

3 miles from Cuckmere Valley

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.

3 miles from Bayham Old Abbey

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.

2 miles from Bodiam Castle

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.

2 miles from Spell Quest at Bodiam Castle

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.

3 miles from Michelham Priory House & Gardens

Michelham Priory House & Gardens is a historic Augustine Priory set on its own island in East Sussex, offering visitors immersive indoor historical displays and extensive outdoor gardens with family-friendly activities including a playground and a café.

2 miles from Firle Place

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.

2 miles from The Big Draw at Monk's House

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.

3 miles from Bates Green Garden

This seven-acre naturalistic garden offers visitors a sensory experience with unusual plants, colour-themed borders, and a large wildflower meadow and ancient woodland. Facilities include accessible paths, refreshments, parking, and plant sales. Free entry is available for RHS members on selected days.

3 miles from Devil's Dyke, Sussex

Devil's Dyke is a deep dry valley on the South Downs near Brighton, known for scenic views, walking, hang gliding, and historic Iron Age hillfort remains. It is managed by the National Trust and offers a popular outdoor experience for visitors.

3 miles from Penshurst Place

Penshurst Place is a historic fortified medieval manor house in Kent surrounded by 11 acres of beautiful walled formal gardens. Visitors can explore the house's historical staterooms with family portraits and tapestries, stroll through the extensive gardens with fruit trees and water features, and enjoy onsite facilities including a café and shop. The venue offers accessibility features, activities for children, and is rich in history and seasonal events.

3 miles from Diwali at Bateman's

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.

Near The Big Cat Sanctuary

The Big Cat Sanctuary in Kent is a specialised animal sanctuary focusing on big cats, offering limited public open days and experience packages like overnight stays and photography workshops, with enclosures designed to mimic wild habitats.

3 miles from Blackcap

Blackcap in East Sussex is a 623-acre hilltop area along the South Downs ridge featuring scenic views, ancient history, wildflower walks, and diverse wildlife. It's an outdoor destination rich in natural beauty and historic significance.

2 miles from Litlington White Horse

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.

3 miles from Alfriston Clergy House

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.

3 miles from Borde Hill

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.

3 miles from Saddlescombe Farm and Newtimber Hill

Saddlescombe Farm and Newtimber Hill near Brighton offer visitors a scenic outdoor experience with ancient woodland, chalk grassland, and historic farm buildings including a donkey wheel. The site is part of the South Downs Way and is known for diverse wildlife and stunning views.

2 miles from Sissinghurst Castle Garden

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.