Discover more in Sussex
Sussex is a place of iconic coastline, gardens, literary greats, rolling South Downs, vast art collections and a castle.
Family-friendly places to visit in Sussex
Discover fun family days out this Christmas with the National Trust in Sussex, including Nymans, Bodiam Castle, Petworth, Standen, Sheffield Park and Garden and Bateman's. Whether you’re popping in for a couple of hours or planning a bigger adventure, you’ll find festive garden trails, larger than life sculptures, decorated houses and café stops.
Christmas and New Year in Sussex
Christmas sparkle and wonder is just around the corner in Sussex with The Gruffalo™ Art Adventure at Nymans and Snowdogs™ Discover Sheffield Park and Garden. We're Dreaming of Christmas at Standen and can't wait for A Magical Christmas at Petworth House.
Christmas at Nymans: The Gruffalo Art Adventure
21 Nov - 17 Jan. Join us at Nymans this Christmas for The Gruffalo Art Adventure, inspired by the much-loved stories created by writer Julia Donaldson and illustrator Axel Scheffler. Explore the garden where 12 giant Gruffalo sculptures have each been painted by artists, inspired by the patterns of nature. Keep an eye out for Gruffalo-inspired games and challenges along the trail. The adventure continues in the house, where the rooms are beautifully dressed for Christmas with an enchanting winter woodland theme. The Gruffalo Art Adventure at Nymans is presented by the National Trust and Wild in Art, in collaboration with Magic Light Pictures.
Snowdogs™ Discover Sheffield Park and Garden
28 Nov – 10 Jan. Visit Sheffield Park and Garden this Christmas for a magical Snowdogs™ Discover Christmas trail! Discover ten beautifully hand-painted Snowdog™ sculptures around the garden and delight in festive games and activities for all the family. Warm up with a hot chocolate and mince pie at our festive food stalls and make magical Christmas memories. Snowdogs™ Discover at Sheffield Park and Garden is presented by National Trust and Wild in Art in collaboration with Penguin.
A Magical Christmas at Petworth House
28 Nov - 3 Jan. Nature becomes the artist this Christmas at Petworth House. Journey through grand state rooms of where creativity and nature come together. Marvel beneath the stars, gaze up at the moon, and discover an enchanting festive experience inspired by the natural world. Each room glows with wonder. There will be towering trees, late openings, workshops, a Christmas makers market, all new Festive Teas and much more.
Dreaming of Christmas at Standen
21 Nov - 5 Jan. It’s Christmas and the Beale family have decorated their home in festive splendour, inspired by its beautiful Arts and Crafts interiors. See patterns escaping from wallpapers, peacocks leaping from curtains and Christmas magic inspired by the family’s playful storytelling, weaving enchantment into every corner. Outside, set off on a playful adventure around the garden and follow the Merry Mice family Christmas trail. Follow your trail map to discover sing-along moments, family games, and plenty of laughter along the way.
The Jungle Book Christmas at Bateman's
14 Nov - 3 Jan. This year at Bateman’s, follow Baloo the sleepy brown bear through the house and step into scenes from The Jungle Book brought to life. Don’t forget to explore the gardens too, you never know who might be hiding there, waiting to be discovered! The world-renowned author of The Jungle Book, Rudyard Kipling, lived at Bateman’s for over 30 years, and the house remains to this day a warm and welcoming family home.
Christmas at Bodiam Castle
28 Nov - 3 Jan. Unwrap Bodiam Castle this Christmas. With twinkling lights, Christmas trees in tower rooms, Father Christmas’s sleigh in the castle courtyard and warming treats in the Wharf tea-room, experience the charm of Bodiam Castle during the festive season.
Christmas at Uppark House and Garden
Discover a traditional Christmas at Uppark where upstairs and downstairs celebrate the festive season. From shimmering baubles to handmade paper stars, every turn reveals a different festive scene.
Discover family fun
National Trust Family Maps are your pocket-sized guide to big family adventures. Packed with kid-friendly trails, play areas, and picnic spots, they spotlight the best places for fun and exploration, making it easy to plan stress-free, joy-filled days out. Download yours below or pick one up free from visitor reception on arrival.
Nymans family map
Sometimes it's the little things that make the best family memories, like building a den, spotting a red kite and having an ice cream at the end of a family walk. Our family maps are free to pick up when you arrive at Nymans and explain exactly how to hop, totter or dash over to the Play Glade and more.
Bodiam Castle family map
We asked visitors what they love most about the castle and grounds and drew them on the map. Whether you're looking for the best picnic spot or the coolest den-building hideaway, we’ve got you covered.
Sheffield Park and Garden family map
Where are the ducks? What's the best place for picnic? And which is the best bridge for playing pooh sticks? All these questions and more are answered by our family map. Pick up a free map when you arrive, plan your lap of the parkland or garden and make Sheffield Park and Garden your new family tradition.
Petworth family map
A new family map has landed at Petworth House and Park just in time for Summer. It’s packed with ideas to help families make the most of their visit, from hill-rolling top spots to perfect picnic places.
Standen family map
Our new family map for Standen makes it even easier to play your way. Find out where the adventure play area is, best spots for a picnic, and keep your eyes peeled for llamas.
Come out and play at these places around Sussex
Nymans
The Play Glade at Nymans features den building, a play stage, stepping logs and wooden musical instruments and is suitable for children aged 2 to 11. Drinks, snacks, toilets and baby change can be found on the way.
Petworth House and Park
Petworth Park is an exciting place for families to explore. Roam through acres of parkland and look out for the fallow deer herd. The ancient tree trail includes hollow trunks big enough to crawl inside, plus there are games and activities every school holidays.
Sheffield Park and Garden
Winter is a wonderful time to explore the stunning parkland for children and their grown-ups. Enjoy the beauty of winter trees reflected in the lakes as you wonder along buggy-friendly trails and complete family games and activities.
Bodiam Castle
Discover things to see and do on a family visit to Bodiam Castle. Join in with activities and let your imagination run riot in this Medieval setting.
Standen House and Garden
Find family-friendly things to do at Standen, from activity based trails in the school holidays and walking woodland paths to building a den and running off steam in Adventure Corner. Download a copy of our family map to plan ahead with your family visit.
Birling Gap
There’s so much for you and your family to see and do at Birling Gap. Hunt for ocean finds along the strand line and look for fossils on the beach. Don't forget pop in to the café for an ice cream or a slice of cake too.
Bateman's
Planning a day out with family? There’s plenty of things to see and do waiting to be discovered at Bateman's.
