Sussex


<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-newhaven-fort-newhaven-nbsp"><a href="https://www.newhavenfort.org.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Newhaven Fort</a>, Newhaven&nbsp;</h3>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="1000" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2026/03/newhaven.jpg" alt="Playground at Newhaven Fort, Sussex" class="wp-image-83796" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2026/03/newhaven.jpg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2026/03/newhaven-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2026/03/newhaven-1000x667.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2026/03/newhaven-768x512.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Image credit: Cap.Co</figcaption></figure>



<p>Redeveloped just last year, the fort’s adventure playground caters to kids of all ages. New additions include a shingle hoist climbing frame, a giant slide, and a Victorian dirigible for added whimsy.&nbsp;</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-battle-abbey-battle"><a href="https://www.english-heritage.org.uk/visit/places/1066-battle-of-hastings-abbey-and-battlefield/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Battle Abbey</a>, Battle </h3>



<p>The historic significance of this small corner of Sussex is awesome to contemplate. Along with the battleground stroll, there are buildings to explore, rooftop views, and immersive, video-enhanced exhibits. And opposite the café, you’ll find a shaded playground with picnic tables and chunky wooden apparatus that channels daily life circus the 11th century. Think climbable barrels, an enormous carved ox, and a giant wooden hamster wheel, like the kind donkeys would pound to draw water from a well.&nbsp;</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-leonardslee-lakes-amp-gardens-lower-breeding-nbsp"><a href="https://www.leonardsleegardens.co.uk/leonardslee-play-park" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Leonardslee Lakes &amp; Gardens</a>, Lower Breeding&nbsp;</h3>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="1000" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2026/03/leonardslee-3.jpg" alt="Playground at Leonardslee Lakes &amp; Gardens, Sussex" class="wp-image-83800" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2026/03/leonardslee-3.jpg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2026/03/leonardslee-3-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2026/03/leonardslee-3-1000x667.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2026/03/leonardslee-3-768x512.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Image credit: TouchWood</figcaption></figure>



<p>This new and action-packed wooden playground includes a multi-level champion tree tower, teepee den, and crawling tunnel. Meanwhile, the littlest explorers are catered to with the likes of a mini Leonardslee House play set and talking tubes. Also: wallaby spring-riders –&nbsp;a nod to the marsupial stars of the gardens beyond. The park also includes double-width slides and special ‘tango’ seats for accessible, intergenerational play. Head to The Hut café afterwards for hot doughnuts.&nbsp;</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-tilgate-park-crawley-nbsp"><a href="https://crawley.gov.uk/culture/parks-and-open-spaces/gardens-and-parks/tilgate-park/attractions-tilgate-park" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Tilgate Park</a>, Crawley&nbsp;</h3>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="1000" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2026/03/tilgate.jpg" alt="Playground at Tilgate Park, Crawley, Sussex" class="wp-image-83795" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2026/03/tilgate.jpg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2026/03/tilgate-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2026/03/tilgate-1000x667.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2026/03/tilgate-768x512.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /></figure>



<p>Paid attractions include a zoo, water sports and a Go Ape but there’s plenty at Tilgate that doesn’t cost a penny. Solve a maze, discover a walled garden, follow woodland and lakeside trails. And then of course there’s the adventure playground. Highlights include basket swings and climbing structures, a large net twister and a corkscrew slide. (Free)&nbsp;</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-st-ann-s-well-gardens-hove-nbsp"><a href="https://www.brighton-hove.gov.uk/libraries-leisure-and-arts/parks-and-green-spaces/st-anns-well-gardens" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">St Ann’s Well Gardens</a>, Hove&nbsp;</h3>



<p>One of Hove’s best-kept secrets, this Green Flag haven features a scented garden, tennis courts and an ornamental wishing well. Follow winding paths to the playground, which has areas for toddlers and bigger kids. Sand, swings, a zip wire – all feature along with properly big slide. Good to know: there’s a park café for refuelling and you’ll find The Sussex Peasant in residence on Sunday mornings. (Free)&nbsp;</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-harry-s-playground-borde-hill-haywards-heath"><a href="https://bordehill.co.uk/garden-grounds/playground/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Harry’s Playground</a>, Borde Hill, Haywards Heath</h3>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="1000" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2026/03/borde_hill.jpg" alt="Harry's Playground at Borde Hill, Sussex" class="wp-image-83797" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2026/03/borde_hill.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2026/03/borde_hill-800x800.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2026/03/borde_hill-400x400.jpg 400w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2026/03/borde_hill-768x768.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2026/03/borde_hill-500x500.jpg 500w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Image credit: Borde Hill/Alex Rickard Photography</figcaption></figure>



<p>Head to Borde Hill during the school holidays, and you can be sure of a child-centred adventure trail but the mood-boosting perks of time spent in the (immaculately tended) great outdoors are up for grabs year-round. Ditto good coffee and a playground full of wooden play equipment. Swinging, climbing, log-stepping, zip-wiring, spring-riding:&nbsp;it&#8217;s all here. </p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-play-on-the-beach-bognor-regis-nbsp"><a href="https://www.arun.gov.uk/news-archive/play-time-is-in-full-swing-on-bognor-regis-seafront-1706/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Play on the Beach</a>, Bognor Regis&nbsp;</h3>



<p>A seaside theme shapes the bright colours and wooden play structures of this enclosed seafront play area. It’s especially good for smaller kids, who can scoot or bike there safely along the promenade. Tide in? There’s sand aplenty in adjacent Beach on the Beach, open during summer months. (Free)&nbsp;</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-wakehurst-nbsp-place-ardingly"><a href="https://www.kew.org/wakehurst/whats-at-wakehurst/tree-trunk-trek" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Wakehurst&nbsp;Place</a>, Ardingly</h3>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="1000" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2026/03/Wakehurst_treetrunk.jpg" alt="Tree Trunk Trek at Wakehurst Place, Sussex" class="wp-image-83798" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2026/03/Wakehurst_treetrunk.jpg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2026/03/Wakehurst_treetrunk-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2026/03/Wakehurst_treetrunk-1000x667.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2026/03/Wakehurst_treetrunk-768x512.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Image credit: RBG Kew, photographer Jim Holden</figcaption></figure>



<p>There’s tons for children at Wakehurst, from Seed Bank activities to wetlands boardwalks and Children’s Walled Garden complete with Mud Kitchen. And yes, there’s a playground. To get to the Tree Trunk Trek, follow buggy-friendly paths through Coates Wood and look out as you go for dinosaur trees, aka Wollemi pines. Once there, you’ll find a log trail to crawl, climb, leap and balance across. The smaller the child, the bigger the challenge but the setting adds enchantment for all ages.&nbsp;</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-centenary-park-big-park-peacehaven-nbsp"><a href="https://www.peacehaventowncouncil.gov.uk/parks-and-recreation/centenary-park/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Centenary Park (Big Park)</a>, Peacehaven&nbsp;</h3>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="1000" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2026/03/Peacehaven.jpg" alt="Centenary Park playground, Peacehaven, Sussex" class="wp-image-83799" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2026/03/Peacehaven.jpg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2026/03/Peacehaven-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2026/03/Peacehaven-1000x667.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2026/03/Peacehaven-768x512.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /></figure>



<p>Twin adventure playgrounds, including one for toddlers, share the same gorgeous natural aesthetic. They’ll inspire active play and creativity, as children swing and climb their way around the likes of acorn towers, peekaboo walls and a giant wooden dragon. There’s a skate park on the same site and a café for refreshments. (Free)&nbsp;</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-west-hill-hastings"><a href="https://www.hastings.gov.uk/parks_gardens_allotments/playgrounds/playgrounds/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">West Hill</a>, Hastings</h3>



<p>Definitely more of a modest set up but despite lacking glitzy equipment, its hilltop location offers stunning views across Hastings Old Town and out to sea. Just hold on to your hat, it&#8217;s gusty up there! (Free)&nbsp;</p>



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Climb, slide, repeat: 10 top playgrounds in Sussex

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