Ropetackle Arts Centre

What it’s like

A proper theatre for family shows and the Christmas panto, with age guidance on each one so you know what you're walking into.

Family shows here come with age guidance, which is more useful than it sounds when you're trying to work out if a five-year-old will sit still for it or a sixteen-year-old will roll their eyes. The Christmas pantomime is the big one on the calendar, but there's a run of family shows through the year, and babies under 18 months can come along free on a lap, aside from the sessions built specifically for babies and pre-schoolers.

It's a sit-down, indoor venue, so this isn't a place for restless toddlers to wander about. There is a buggy park inside the auditorium, though space is limited and they'd rather you left it at home if you can manage without. Step-free access runs right through the foyer and auditorium, with a lift up to the mezzanine, so it works well if you're navigating with a wheelchair or a pushchair you couldn't leave behind.

Arrive early if you fancy feeding everyone first. The Rose Petal Café does lunches and afternoon teas Monday to Saturday during the day, and for evening shows the bar opens an hour before curtain up with snacks, plus a pre-show meal from a catering partner if you book ahead. You can't bring your own food or drink in, which is worth factoring in if you've got a fussy eater in tow. Most shows run around two hours with an interval, and doors to the auditorium tend to open somewhere between 15 and 45 minutes before the start.

Parking is free if you know where to look. The Adur Recreation Ground car park is free round the clock, and the Little High Street bays are free for two hours until 6pm, so an evening show costs you nothing to park for. The Ropetackle's own car park is paid but free after 6pm too. It's a ten-minute walk from Shoreham-by-Sea train station if you'd rather leave the car altogether.

Facilities

Need to know

Best for

Family shows with school-age kids; the panto suits younger ones too

Booking

Online and phone bookings include £1 fee per ticket (capped at £5)

Parking

Three nearby options: Adur Recreation Ground free 24hrs, Little High Street bays free 2hr limit until 6pm

Food

Rose Petal Café Mon-Sat 10am-4pm serving hot/cold drinks, cakes, lunches, afternoon teas

Pushchairs

Buggy park available inside auditorium during shows

Getting there by bus or train

Shoreham-by-Sea train station 10 minutes walk away

• Free ear plugs are available at every event if the sound level bothers you or your child
• Tickets are non-refundable but can be exchanged up to 48 hours before the show
• The train station is a ten-minute walk and buses stop two minutes away on the High Street
• No outside food or drink is allowed in, so plan to eat there or before you arrive

Plan your visit

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