Ceremonial county in South East England with historic castles, coastal towns, and the South Downs.
Petworth House is a historic late 17th-century country house in West Sussex, renowned for its extensive art collection including paintings by J.M.W. Turner and its Capability Brown landscaped deer park. Visitors can explore both the grand indoor galleries and the expansive outdoor parkland and gardens, with visitor facilities such as a cafe and shops on site.
10 Oct–1 Nov (next week)
A Halloween trail based on the Bunnies of Hoppity Hill children’s books, with activities including Halloween hoopla, broomstick racing and a celebration party where children can collect a sticker.
Petworth is a historic town in West Sussex, England, known for the National Trust's Petworth House and its cultural heritage including art galleries, museums, and an annual traditional fair.
Hydon's Ball is a notable hill on Hydon Heath in Surrey, offering outdoor natural experiences with memorials and scenic walking paths managed by the National Trust. It features native and non-native plant species and serves as a local cultural gathering spot.
10 Oct–8 Nov (next week)
A digital folklore adventure at Winkworth Arboretum for children aged 7–12 and adults to play together. Using the Stranger Folk app, teams follow magical prompts and complete tasks to find the creatures and decide their fate.
Monk's House is a 16th-century cottage in Rodmell, East Sussex, notable as the home of writer Virginia Woolf and the Bloomsbury Group. Visitors can explore the period interiors, her writing lodge, and the garden with views of Mount Caburn, all operated by the National Trust as a writer's house museum.
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.
Bramber Castle features the ruins of a Norman motte-and-bailey castle with a well-preserved gatehouse tower and historic earthworks in West Sussex. Visitors can explore the outdoor remains overseen by English Heritage, including the original motte and foundations, alongside an adjacent historic church still in use.
Winkworth Arboretum is a National Trust-owned arboretum in Surrey featuring over 1000 species of trees, extensive azalea and rhododendron collections, and landscaped garden lakes across 95 acres of outdoor woodland.
11 Oct, 25 Oct…
A gentle outdoor Qigong session led by Sue Llewellyn, featuring slow movements, mindful breathing and moments of stillness among the trees. Participants will move through the woodland to a glade and viewpoint, with no previous experience required.
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.
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.
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.
Ludshott Common and Waggoners Wells is a National Trust nature reserve in Hampshire featuring heathland, man-made ponds, woodland, and diverse wildlife habitats. Visitors can enjoy walking, birdwatching, fishing, and exploring historically significant natural features.
Witley Common is a National Trust woodland and heathland site in Surrey featuring Bronze Age archaeological sites, diverse wildlife habitats, and a nature centre with educational activities for children. It offers a mix of outdoor natural exploration and indoor exhibits at the Witley Centre.
Boxgrove Priory is an ancient 12th-century Benedictine priory ruins located in the village of Boxgrove, West Sussex. The priory church remains in use as the Church of St Mary and St Blaise, with the ruins being a protected Grade I listed building, offering visitors a glimpse into England's medieval religious heritage.
The Devil's Punch Bowl is a large natural amphitheatre and Site of Special Scientific Interest in Surrey, offering scenic heathland landscape with panoramic views and car parking facilities. It is managed by the National Trust and features walking paths and a café, making it a popular outdoor visitor attraction with natural beauty and wildlife.
Woolbeding House is an 18th-century Grade I listed country house in West Sussex with historic architecture and extensive gardens open to the public, featuring a unique kinetic glasshouse and artistic garden installations.
Oakhurst Cottage is a small Grade II listed historic cottage in Hambledon, Surrey, restored to represent a Victorian era labourer's home with preserved period furnishings and a garden featuring Victorian plants. Visitors can tour the cottage by appointment in small groups.
13 Oct, 17 Oct…
An early-morning, self-led photography session at Winkworth Arboretum, offering time to photograph the autumn colours before the arboretum opens to the public.
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.
Uppark is a Grade I listed 17th-century historic house museum in West Sussex, open to the public as a National Trust property. It features extensive collections from the 18th century, has been carefully restored after a major fire in 1989, and holds historical significance including ties to writer H. G. Wells.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Crawley is a historic market town and modern borough in West Sussex known for its New Town development, close proximity to Gatwick Airport, diverse cultural scene, and rich heritage.
Cissbury Ring is a large prehistoric hillfort and Neolithic flint mine in West Sussex, offering extensive earthworks, rich biodiversity and panoramic views. It is a notable archaeological and biological site owned by the National Trust, with deep historical significance from Neolithic through Iron Age periods.
Lavington Common is a National Trust biological Site of Special Scientific Interest in West Sussex, featuring diverse heathland, acid grassland, and woodland habitats with rich wildlife communities.
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.
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.
Selborne Common is a protected biological Site of Special Scientific Interest in Hampshire, featuring ancient beechwood, diverse wildlife including rare butterflies and birds, wildflowers, and historic field systems. It offers outdoor exploration within a nationally managed nature reserve accessible via public footpaths.