CATEGORY · A HUDDLEPIN LIST
Parks & nature in Brighton
Country parks, woods, lakes and trails for burning off energy.
23 places 9 free to visit
FreeAshdown Forest
Forest Row
Open heathland and woodland trails where kids can hunt for Winnie-the-Pooh spots, spy grazing ponies and just walk for hours, free to get in.
Accessible toiletBlue badge parkingCaféDog friendly+5 more
from £8.95Borde Hill
Haywards Heath · ages 3+
Seventeen acres of formal garden to explore, plus an adventure playground with a zip wire for when the flowerbeds lose their appeal.
Accessible toiletBaby changeBirthday partiesBlue badge parking+11 more
Brighton i360
Brighton
A glass pod glides 450 feet above the beach for a 25-minute, 360-degree view over Brighton and the coast.
Birthday partiesCaféGroup bookingsFood on site+1 more
FreeBrooklands Park and Lake
Lancing
A free park built around a lake, with a big adventure play area and a flat path all the way round for buggies and wheelchairs.
Outdoor playWheelchair accessible
from £3BYC Skatepark
Brighton · ages 5+
Indoor skate sessions from £3 for two hours, with boards and pads free to borrow.
Card onlyCash only
FreeFriston Forest
Eastbourne
Miles of walking and cycling trails through woodland near Eastbourne, free to wander with paid parking at the two main car parks.
Dog friendlyParkingPicnic areaToilets
FreeHam Road Park.
Shoreham-by-Sea · ages 6+
A free concrete skate park with bowls and terrain plus a separate beginners area for kids getting their balance on a board.
FreeKingston Beach
Shoreham-by-Sea
Free rock pools and a swim spot with limited parking, right by Shoreham-by-Sea.
Manor Road Gym
Brighton
Free football sessions, 3G pitches and an indoor hall for sports, arts and crafts, plus weekend birthday parties.
Booking requiredToilets
FreeMill Hill
Shoreham-by-Sea
A free hilltop walk with a flat, easy trail, grazing ponies and sheep to spot, and views to hold a picnic up to.
Dog friendlyFree parkingWheelchair accessible
from £6.25New House Farm Shop
Horsham
A farm shop and tea room with pick-your-own strawberries in season, plus a proper cream tea to finish off.
Accessible toiletAllergy awareBlue badge parkingCafé+3 more
Ruislip Lido Beach
Ruislip
A sandy stretch by a lake with woodland walks and craft sessions, though the splash pad and fishing are both closed for now.
ParkingPublic transport nearbyToilets
Runcton Farm Shop
Chichester
Pick your own seasonal fruit and veg in summer, then browse a shop growing over 40 crops and a café doing proper cooked lunches.
CaféKids menuFood on site
FreeSeaford Head Nature Reserve - Sussex Wildlife Trust
Seaford
Free clifftop walking with sea views, birdwatching and grazing animals to spot along the way, dogs welcome on a lead.
Dog friendlyToilets
from £22SEAGYM Brighton
Brighton
Open-air group fitness classes on the beach at Sea Lanes, from TRX to calisthenics, no gym floor wandering allowed.
Booking requiredDog friendlyOutdoor play
Splashpoint Leisure Centre
Worthing
A proper swimming pool and diving pool in Worthing, with the fitness suite next door if the grown-ups fancy a workout too.
Accessible toiletBlue badge parkingCaféChanging Places+3 more
Swanborough Fishing Lakes
Lewes
Day ticket carp fishing on two lakes near Lewes, open every day of the year from 7am to 7pm.
FreeThe Secret Garden, Antony Dale Trust
Brighton
A free sculpture garden open Sundays and bank holidays, with a café on site and a bit of a walk from the bus stop.
Bike parkingCaféFood on site
The Skate Farm
Haywards Heath · ages 4+
An indoor ramp park in Haywards Heath where kids from 4 up ride skateboards, scooters or inline skates in booked sessions.
Birthday partiesBooking requiredCaféIndoor seating+2 more
Tulleys Farm
Crawley
A seasonal farm site with escape rooms, a pumpkin festival, a scare event and a Christmas light trail, plus a year-round tea room.
CaféFood on siteWheelchair accessible
Victoria Park
Haywards Heath
A splash pad, playground, skate park and football pitches all in one open park, a short walk from the station.
CaféOutdoor playParkingToilets
from £4Wilderness Wood
Uckfield
Woodland walks, axe throwing and fire lighting in a working wood near Uckfield, with fungus hunts and pottery thrown in.
Birthday partiesCard onlyCash onlyFood on site+2 more
FreeWoods Mill Nature Reserve - Sussex Wildlife Trust
Henfield
A free circular walk round a lake and ancient woodland, with bluebells, butterflies and fungi depending on the season.
Picnic areaPublic transport nearbyToilets
Good to know: parks & nature in Brighton
Are any of them free?
Yes, Ashdown Forest, Brooklands Park and Lake, Friston Forest, Ham Road Park. and 5 more are free to visit.
What does a paid visit cost?
Paid entry starts from £3 at BYC Skatepark. Prices, ages and facilities are listed on every place page, taken from each venue's own published price list.
Which ones are indoor?
BYC Skatepark and The Skate Farm are indoor, good to keep up your sleeve for a rainy day.
Whereabouts are they?
You'll find parks & nature in Forest Row, Brighton, Haywards Heath, Lancing, Eastbourne and 10 more. Every place we list is in or around Brighton, and each listing has the full address and directions.
More ways to plan a day out
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