Cool things to do in Sussex

Most of West Sussex is made up of the beautiful South Downs National Park, but the whole of Sussex’s countryside is a joy to behold. There are elegant stately homes, fairytale castles, colourful gardens, crazy VR games arcades and Bloomsbury cultural connections. Immerse yourself in the amazingly realistic, post-apocalyptic VR experience of Half-Life: Alyx at Immotion’s Brighton Entertainment Centre or be as equally immersed in the charming and eccentric art deco history of Shoreham Airport.

The Royal Pavilion Ice Rink, Brighton & Hove

The ice rink at the Royal Pavilion in Brighton was developed and built by Laine Ltd in 2010 and has operated annually ever since. It is now one of the most successful Christmas ice rink attractions in the country, having welcomed well over a million people since its doors first opened. Image: visitbrighton.com

ImmotionVR, Brighton

Within this cutting edge VR entertainment centre you will find a range of amazing VR experiences like The Tower Roller Coaster that create immersive and competitive gameplay and unique cinematic VR experiences. Virtual Reality brings people together and is great for all ages and all abilities: family members from ages 8 to 80 can all enjoy the thrill of experiencing virtual reality. Book Monday to Thursday for 20% discount on all VR games and experiences.

Drusillas Park Zoo, Alfriston

Drusillas Park in East Sussex is widely regarded as the best small zoo in Europe: offering a fun-tastic day out that includes hundreds of exotic animals, from monkeys and meerkats to penguins and pandas. However, animals are only half the fun; visitors can also explore the large adventure play areas and meet their TV heroes!

British Airways i360, Brighton

Take to the skies to see Brighton and the South Coast as you have never seen them before! Glide up slowly to 450ft to enjoy breathtaking 360° views from the observation tower, conceived and designed by the creators of the London Eye. In a fully enclosed futuristic glass pod, enjoy views across Brighton, the South Downs, Sussex coastline and, on the clearest days, all the way to Beachy Head and the Isle of Wight.

Harbour Park, Littlehampton

Excitement for all ages right on Littlehampton’s award winning sandy beach.Take a spin on the Whirlpool Waltzer or ride the Ocean Coaster. There’s also a variety of rides for younger guests including the Sea Lion Spinning Barrels, Giant Slide, Aqua Boats and much more. Whatever the weather, Harbour Park has something to offer: visit and play in the Family Fun Arcade or let the children run free to play in the fantastic underwater themed indoor soft play area.

1066 Battle Abbey and Battlefield, Battle

Visit the site of one of the most famous battles in England’s history – the 1066 Battle of Hastings where you can still see the very spot King Harold fell and discover the fascinating story of events behind that historic date. Explore the award-winning exhibition which brings alive the dramatic story of the Norman Conquest and its significance in the eventful history of England.

Fishers Adventure Farm Park, Billingshurst

The multi-award winning Fishers Adventure Farm Park is a much-loved family day out. Fishers offers a unique mixture of animal adventures, exhilarating indoor and outdoor play the whole family can experience. Fishers Farm has over 40 rides and attractions on offer for a jam-packed family day out such as Tractor Rides, Ghost Tunnel, Climbing Wall, Devils Dyke Descent, Adventure Golf, Pony Rides, Farm Shows, Indoor Soft Play, Quad Bikes, Go-Karts, Jumping Pillows, Fishers Castle and Maze, Merry-Go-Rounds and so much more!

The Observatory Science Centre, Herstmonceux

Spectacular hands-on science & discovery among the domes and telescopes of a world famous astronomical observatory. The Observatory Science Centre is one of the leading “hands-on” science centres with over 100 exhibits. As the former home of the Royal Greenwich Observatory, with its domes and telescopes, visitors can savour the unique atmosphere of a site where astronomers studied the heavens from 1950s to 1980s.

Wings Museum, Balcombe

Previously housed at RAF Redhill, the Wings Museum is now tucked away in an old barn on a pig farm in the middle of the Sussex countryside. Run by a dedicated group of volunteers, the museum tracks down World War II airplane wreckage and painstakingly recreates each crash site complete with faux plants and soil. In the “gift shop” you’ll be able to purchase sections of plane wreckage, engine parts, and even bullets complete with certificates of authentication detailing the crash site and those who lost their lives on board.

Millennial Seed Bank, Haywards Heath

Nearly 2 billion seeds from 38,000 species are stored and processed at this visitable facility. The Millennium Seed Bank forms part of Kew Gardens, and is set in a specially constructed facility in the elegant grounds of Wakehurst Place in Sussex. There, seeds from more than 38,000 species are stored in an underground vault large enough to fit 38 double-decker buses. In total, nearly 2 billion seeds are currently stored there, and while this comprises only around 10 percent of known species at the moment, there is sufficient storage for up to three-quarters of all plant species.

find something cool & unusual to do in Sussex for an unforgettable winter 2020 holiday experience