Days out with Kids in West Sussex

May 4th 2002 saw the reopening of Brighton Museum & Art Gallery, transformed by a £10 million redevelopment, with a complete redisplay of its rich and diverse collections. This project is part of a larger regeneration scheme creating a vibrant cultural centre in and around the Royal Pavilion Estate in the heart of the new city of Brighton & Hove. Please contact the museum for opening times.

The National Cycle Network is 5000 miles of safe, signed, attractive cycle routes, open and mapped in June 2000. It is made up of traffic-free sections and traffic-calmed road and minor roads, running right through urban centres and reaching all parts of the UK.

Sustrans is the charity co-ordinating the project and will continue to work with local authorities to expand the Network to a target of 10,000 miles by 2005.

For more information on the National Cycle Network and Sustrans and a copy of their free catalogue of maps, information sheets and technical publications please call the number above or visit their website.

E-Mail: info@nationalcyclenetwork.org.uk

This great castle, ancestral homeof the Dukes of Norfolk, dates from the Norman Conquest. Containing a very fine collection of furniture dating from the 16thC and paintings by Van Dyck, Reynolds, Gainsborough etc. Arundle Castle is still a family home reflecting the changes of nearly a 1000 years.

Kids days out in Arundel

Web: www.arundelcastle.org

The remains of the Roman Palace at Fishbourne were discovered in 1960. See Britain’s largest collection of in-situ Roman floor mosaics and everyday Roman objects displayed in the museum gallery. The adjoining Collections Discovery Centre displays more artefacts from Fishbourne and Chichester district. Join a behind the scenes tour for an opportunity to handle some of these.

An audio-visual presentation explains the site and its history and outside, the garden has been replanted to its original plan.

Events throughout the year include Gladiator re-enactment in September and Roman army activities for the family in October.

Adult £6.80, Concessions £5.80, Child £3.60 & Family (2+2) £17.40

Email: adminfish@sussexpast.co.uk

Tulleys Farm in the heart of the stunning West Sussex countryside offers over 25 attractions and 4 miles of paths and fun!

Attractions include The Puzzle Park with many activities and adventure play and the Giant Maize Maze

We also offer family events throughout the year including Shocktober Fest, Pumpkin Patch and Spooktober Fest at Halloween, The Tulleys Family Christmas Experience, Christmas Shop and Natural Christmas Trees, The Big Hatch Easter Experience and The Giant Maize Maze and Puzzle Park throughout the summer.

In addition we have the famous Tulleys Tea Room serving a range of delicious hot and cold food, cakes and drinks.

Weald & Down Open Air Museum is set in 50 acres of beautiful Sussex countryside. It is a very special place to wander amongst a fascinating collection of nearly 50 historic buildings dating from the 13th to the 19th century, many with period gardens, together with farm animals, woodland walks and a picturesque lake.

Daily activities include:

• Tudor kitchen in action
• Working water mill
• Heavy horses at work
• Working forge
• Demonstrations by local craftsmen
• Hands on activities

The timber-framed hall house sits on the edge of Ashdown Forrest in the picturesque Wealden village of West Hoathly. Built in the fifteenth century for the Priory of St. Pancras in Lewes, the property was later seized by Henry VIII. Central chimneys and a fine Horsham stone roof were added later when it became a substantial yeoman farmer’s house.

Now, containing seventeenth and eighteenth century country furniture, ironwork, textiles and domestic objects displayed in furnished rooms, it stands in a traditional cottage garden. The garden includes herbaceous perennials, shrubs, wild flowers and over one hundred and seventy herbs.

Amberley Working Museum covers 36 acres of former chalk pits nestling under the South Downs. It has over thirty different buildings, hundreds of exhibits meticulously restored by our volunteers, a variety of working craftspeople, an enchanting nature and woodland trail, a railway station, bus depot and printing works, a dozen or so picnic areas, a children's playground, cafe and gift shop .... and more besides.

Kids days out in Arundel, West Sussex

Special events are run throughout the year.

The striking chequerboard facade on Shoreham High Street fronts one of the oldest lay buildings in Sussex, dating originally from the twelfth century. Towards the rear is a new extension, hosting displays, educational workshops, holiday activities and talks.

Marlipins Museum, once a Customs House, now holds artefacts from the long history of the Shorehamh area and the maritime past plus a collection of local archaeological material from prehistoric to medieval times. Upstairs are displays on the local silent film industry and transport.

Children and families are welcome at Chichester District Museum!

We have displays on local geology, archaeology and history, and each gallery has a variety of hands-on activities for children. Please see our leaflet or website for details of special exhibitions, events and activities.

Web: www.chichester.gov.uk/museum

Trace the story of Hastings fishermen, learn about the impact of the Napoleonic Wars, see relics that have been excavated in Hastings and a life-sized figure of a Norman soldier in chain-mail.

Log on for full details on this fascinating museum .

Web: www.hmag.org.uk

Web: www.earnleybutterfliesandgardens.co.uk

Built in 1920 the museum offers an insight into local history. The art gallery holds a permanent exhibition of fine art and china.

Web: www.hastings.uk.net/attractions/museums/hastingsmuseum.html

Opening times: Tues-Sat 10am - 5pm Closed Sunday and Monday.

Web: www.holmbushfarm.co.uk

Embark on a journey to another time, another world. A Victorian steam engine will take you along Britain's first light railway through miles of magnificent scenery. Arrive at Bodium Castle, the kind of castle that has everything a fairy tale castle should have.

Web: www.kesr.org.uk

Kids days out in Haywards Heath in West Sussex

Web: www.beechhurst-railway.org.uk

Over half a million specimens, natural history literature and data extending back over three centuries are housed in this fascinating museum, including hundreds of British birds displayed in recreated natural settings. Plus butterflies, skeletons, whale and dinosaur bones. Please contact the museum for opening times.

UKClimbing.com offers a comprehensive list of local climbing centres throughout the UK.

Web: www.ukclimbing.com/databases/listings/clubs.html

Web: www.chichesterharbourwatertours.co.uk

Web: www.fishersfarmpark.co.uk/

Web: www.wwt.org.uk