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 magical family days out this autumn with the National Trust in Sussex, including Nymans, Bodiam Castle, Petworth and more. Whether you’re popping in for a couple of hours or planning a bigger adventure, you’ll find natural play areas, Halloween family trails and café stops.
Halloween and autumn family trails in Sussex
We're Going on a Ghost Hunt™ at Standen
We’re going on a ghost hunt. Come and join the fun! Can we find them all? Yes! Run, run, run! Based on the bestselling children’s books, this Halloween the bunnies are setting off on an adventure to find the ghosts hidden around Standen with heaps of exciting things to see and do along the way. 4 October to 2 November.
Nymans
Have a spooky half term at Nymans with plenty of Halloween-themed fun and games, pumpkin faces, witches' hats and a bubbling cauldron. Free family trail around the garden. 18 Oct to 2 Nov.
Fantastic Fungi Spotting Trail at Sheffield Park
13 Sept to 6 Nov. Hidden amongst the crunchy leaves and dazzling autumn colour are ten fly agaric mushrooms hidden throughout the garden, each one with its very own mushroom themed fact or joke. Can you find them all? The perfect way to have some family fun as you marvel at the fiery autumn colour.
Halloween at Bodiam Castle
Calling all young witches and wizards! Join us for Spell Quest, face painting, crafts, potion making and more at Bodiam Castle this autumn. You’ll encounter magical beasts, take part in enchanting games and activities, and unlock your very own magical powers.
Ben Plants a Butterfly Garden trail at Bateman's
20 Sept to 2 Nov. Join Ben and his friends this autumn on this family-friendly trail around Bateman’s and discover how to grow a butterfly garden.
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.
Looking ahead to Christmas in Sussex
A Fairytale Christmas at Nymans
22 Nov - 4 Jan. Join us for A Fairytale Christmas at Nymans this winter. In the garden, a Christmas family adventure trail awaits, leading you through classic fairytales. Find Aladdin’s cave of treasures, play a game with Red Riding Hood’s basket of treats and take a seat in Cinderella’s carriage. Created by Tin Shed scenery, the makers of last year’s magical Narnia-inspired garden trail. Delve deeper into a land of make-believe inside the house, where rooms are transformed with fairytale scenes and Christmas trees.
All I Want for Christmas at Standen
16 Nov – 5 Jan. The Arts and Crafts style rooms at Standen are dressed with softly lit Christmas trees and decorations inspired by the Beale family's wishes for Christmas. During 'Twilight Lates' weekends in December, see the house atmospherically lit for Christmas. From 16th November see the Standen Christmas tree in the Courtyard and for families, don't miss our fun festive event - 'Finding Father Christmas' with theatre company This is my Theatre.
Christmas at Petworth House
Step into a Christmas Enchantment - a midwinter journey through Petworth House. Inspired by the Winter Solstice and the shifting rhythms of nature, the grand state rooms transform into a dreamlike world of overgrown wonder.
Christmas and New Year at Sheffield Park and Garden
Visit Sheffield Park and Garden this Christmas for a magical The Elf on the Shelf® Christmas trail! Discover twelve beautifully hand-painted elf sculptures around the garden as you take in the glorious wintry scenes 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.
Christmas at Bateman's
There's lots to see and do this festive season at Bateman's, in East Sussex. Explore the home of the writer Rudyard Kipling decorated for Christmas.
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
Autumn is a wonderful time to explore the stunning parkland for children and their grown-ups. Enjoy the beauty of autumn colour 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.
