Sussex


<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="667" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2025/07/rainyday-1000x667.jpg" alt="Umbrella days" class="wp-image-73839" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2025/07/rainyday-1000x667.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2025/07/rainyday-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2025/07/rainyday-768x512.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2025/07/rainyday.jpg 1500w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-hove-museum-of-creativity-and-award-winning-ice-cream-hove"><strong>Hove Museum of Creativity and award-winning ice cream, Hove</strong></h3>



<p><a href="https://brightonmuseums.org.uk/hove-museum-of-creativity/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Hove Museum of Creativity</a>&nbsp;is the perfect size for a local museum that punches above its weight. Permanent displays cover everything from the toys through time to seaside history, while temporary exhibits are quirky and often hands-on. Look out for storytelling and arts and crafts workshops during school holidays. As a bonus, the shop’s great for cards and thoughtful, low-on-plastic-tat gifting.&nbsp;</p>



<p>Brightening up? Stroll along the pedestrianised seafront to family-run Italian restaurant&nbsp;<a href="https://www.marroccos.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Marrocco’s</a>. The long-time legend serves award-winning ice cream from a hatch, too – generously portioned and packed with creamy flavour.&nbsp;</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-smugglers-adventure-and-panoramic-views-hastings"><strong>Smugglers&#8217; Adventure and panoramic views, Hastings</strong>&nbsp;</h3>



<p>Tour an underground network of ancient caves at&nbsp;<a href="https://www.smugglersadventure.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Smugglers&#8217; Adventure</a>, where secret tunnels were once used to store and transport contraband goods from the continent. Evocative lighting and life-sized sculptures boost the experience’s authenticity, and Muddy’s not the least bit surprised to hear these caverns are haunted.&nbsp;</p>



<p>Brightening up? Head up to the West Hill viewing point for a breezy overview of the Old Town and the sea beyond. There’s also a playground and the funicular for tired legs. In need of a caffeine hit when you get back down? The&nbsp;<a href="https://www.facebook.com/p/Hanushka-Coffee-House-100055747673806/?locale=en_GB" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Hanushka Coffee House</a>&nbsp;pairs a library-themed interior with fine brews and big slices of cake.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-bluebell-railway-and-parkland-scampering-sheffield-park-nbsp"><strong>Bluebell Railway and parkland scampering, Sheffield Park</strong>&nbsp;</h3>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="667" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2025/07/bluebellrailway-1000x667.jpg" alt="shower-proof summer outings" class="wp-image-73843" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2025/07/bluebellrailway-1000x667.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2025/07/bluebellrailway-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2025/07/bluebellrailway-768x512.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2025/07/bluebellrailway.jpg 1500w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>All aboard!&nbsp;<a href="https://www.bluebell-railway.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Bluebell Railway</a>&nbsp;is precisely the kind of attraction that it’s easy to overlook if you’re a local but let’s not allow visitors to have all the fun. Bag yourself an all-day rover ticket for hop-on, hop-off freedom but if you’re just looking to dodge a shower, platform admission lets you mooch around a period-perfect recreation of an 1880s travel hub, plus the museum, shop and SteamWorks science exhibit.&nbsp;</p>



<p>Brightening up? The National Trust’s&nbsp;<a href="https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/sussex/sheffield-park-and-garden" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Sheffield Park and Garden</a>&nbsp;offers acre upon acre of landscaped gardens and lakes, surrounded by historic parkland and woods. If you’re with kids, this is the perfect spot for running off surplus energy.&nbsp;</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-anne-of-cleves-house-and-a-wetlands-wander-lewes-nbsp">Anne of Cleves House and a wetlands wander, Lewes&nbsp;</h3>



<p>Henry VIII’s fourth wife not only got to keep her head when their months-long marriage was annulled, she also walked off with a pretty nice property portfolio that included&nbsp;<a href="https://sussexpast.co.uk/attraction/anne-of-cleves-house/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Anne of Cleves House</a>. There’s no evidence to suggest she even got round to visiting this timber-framed beauty but it’s full of atmosphere and artefacts from Tudor and Elizabethan life. Don’t miss the dressing up clothes and dinky garden.&nbsp;</p>



<p>Brightening up? A much-loved Lewes patisserie (the owner’s actually French) moved in a while back and there’s seating outdoors as well as in. If you trust the weather, the&nbsp;<a href="https://lewespriory.org.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Priory</a>&nbsp;ruins are close by for extra history, and you can extend your stroll with a wander round the newly established&nbsp;<a href="https://www.cockshutstream.org/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">wetlands</a>, where a rare chalk stream’s boosting biodiversity.&nbsp;</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-observatory-science-centre-and-scenic-scones-herstmonceux"><strong>The Observatory Science Centre and scenic scones, Herstmonceux</strong></h3>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="667" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2025/07/herstmonceux-1000x667.jpg" alt="shower-proof summer outings" class="wp-image-73842" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2025/07/herstmonceux-1000x667.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2025/07/herstmonceux-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2025/07/herstmonceux-768x512.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2025/07/herstmonceux.jpg 1500w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>The&nbsp;<a href="https://www.the-observatory.org/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Observatory Science Centre</a>&nbsp;isn&#8217;t just a Sussex icon, it&#8217;s a mine of interactive STEM-based wonderment. Hours can be spent here, regardless of your age, with hands-on exhibits that to explain and inspire, covering topics from gravity and DNA to the telescopes themselves. The vacuum-cleaner-powered chair lift is a perennial favourite!&nbsp;</p>



<p>Brightening up? The Observatory’s exhibits spill outdoors into its Discovery Park but&nbsp;<a href="https://herstmonceux-castle.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Herstmonceux Castle</a> also happens to be right next door. A fairytale vision of a medieval stronghold, complete with moat, folly and resident peacocks, it also has a tearoom with al fresco seating options and scones Muddy can vouch for.&nbsp;</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-ocean-paradise-indoor-glow-adventure-golf-and-all-weather-pick-your-own-chichester-nbsp"><strong>Ocean Paradise Indoor Glow Adventure Golf and all-weather pick-your-own, Chichester</strong>&nbsp;</h3>



<p>Fancy walking the plank, hunting for hidden treasure and swimming with mermaids, all while making your way round 18 holes of indoor golf? The recently upgraded&nbsp;<a href="https://chichestergolf.com/indoor-adventure-golf/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Ocean Paradise Adventure Golf</a>&nbsp;offers immersive family fun complete with glow-in-the-dark squid and sharks.&nbsp;</p>



<p>Brightening up? Its sister attraction,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.dellquaypyo.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Jungle Paradise Adventure Golf</a>, is right there and offers waterfalls, zebras and crocs, but if it’s still drizzling, head to&nbsp;<a href="https://www.dellquaypyo.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Dell Quay PYO</a>, a cleverly conceived all-weather fruit farm that allows for all the fun of foraging for the juiciest strawberries and raspberries except under polytunnels. Look out for pumpkins come autumn.&nbsp;</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-sussex-butterfly-gardens-and-heathland-exploring-ditchling-nbsp-nbsp"><strong>Sussex Butterfly Gardens and heathland exploring, Ditchling</strong>&nbsp;&nbsp;</h3>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="667" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2025/07/butterflygarden-1000x667.jpg" alt="shower-proof summer outings" class="wp-image-73841" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2025/07/butterflygarden-1000x667.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2025/07/butterflygarden-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2025/07/butterflygarden-768x512.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2025/07/butterflygarden.jpg 1500w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>Yearning for a tropical getaway? High temperatures and carefully maintained humidity make the 3,000-square-foot&nbsp;<a href="https://www.sussexbutterflygardens.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Sussex Butterfly Gardens</a>&nbsp;a haven for hundreds of tropical butterflies and moths, along with the equally vibrant plants and flowers that sustain them. It can get busy but the air’s always aflutter with stunning natural beauty.&nbsp;</p>



<p>Brightening up? Make tracks for&nbsp;<a href="https://chaileyparishcouncil.gov.uk/amenities/chailey-common-nature-reserve" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Chailey Common Nature Reserve</a>, one of the county’s largest remaining areas of open heathland. Look out for Hebridean sheep, Exmoor ponies and horned cattle, and listen out for summer-visiting Nightjars.&nbsp;</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-towner-behind-the-scenes-tour-and-beachy-ambling-eastbourne-nbsp"><strong>Towner ‘Behind the Scenes Tour’ and beachy ambling, Eastbourne</strong>&nbsp;</h3>



<p>Calling all art lovers! You’ll already know Towner Gallery for its unrivalled Eric Ravilious collection as well as more conceptual offerings but its bespoke art stores holds a whopping 5,000-plus works. Sign up for a ‘<a href="https://townereastbourne.org.uk/whats-on/behind-the-scenes-tour" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Behind the Scenes Tour</a>’ and you’ll get to glimpse some of these secreted treasures, including work by Duncan Grant, Alfred Wallis and Tacita Dean. Not really one for small children.&nbsp;</p>



<p>Brightening up? One of the county’s most fetching promenades is moments away, and a 10-minute stroll along its pebbled shoreline brings you to one of Muddy’s top pitstops:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.totherisebakery.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">To the Rise</a>, an organic bakery founded by three sisters. Thanks to the likes of cream-filled cardamom buns and matcha-pistachio vegan pastries, dough’s never been more delectable.</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-weald-amp-downland-living-museum-chichester-nbsp"><strong>The Weald &amp; Downland Living Museum, Chichester&nbsp;</strong></h3>



<p>After a weather-proof one-stop destination? The&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wealddown.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Weald &amp; Downland Living Museum</a>&nbsp;covers an epic 1,000 years of history via a ramble through no less than 50 relocated historic houses. It’s the ultimate location for a showery day.</p>



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