It's the summer holidays at last and after the last couple of years we've had and a slight upturn in the weather, there's no better time to start getting out into the great countryside around West Sussex! Here are some of the great attractions and events on in the region for entertaining your little ones this summer.
An introduction to Cowdray Ruins
Date: July - August 2021 Enjoy a glimpse into the last 500 years of Cowdray Ruins led by one of the guides on this free tour throughout the summer. The experience will last for approximately 35 minutes and will include a visit to the front of Cowdray Ruins and the Tudor Kitchen. Suitable for ages 9+. Visit the website to book. Tel:01730 812423 Email:sally.guile@cowdray.co.uk
Steaming through 60
Date: 6 - 8 August 2021
Help celebrate Bluebell Railway’s achievements over the last 60 years with a packed weekend of displays, activities, music, festivities and, of course, steam engines. Ever wondered how a heritage railway works? Meet the volunteers and get special behind the scenes guided tours of the workshops and other staff-only areas! Let the team transport you back in time to the golden age of steam as the railway presents 60 years of Bluebell.
Head to Horsted Keynes Station and visit the events field to enjoy good food and live bands playing classics from across the last six decades. Kids Kingdom will provide fun and games suitable for all ages. For the big kids, brake van rides and diesel driving taster experiences should appeal! To top off the weekend festivities, on Sunday afternoon there is a locomotive cavalcade of all the working engines. For further information and tickets, visit the website. Tel:01825 720800 Email:enquiries@bluebell-railway.com
The Loxwood Joust Festival
Date: 7, 8, 14, 15 August 2021
The Loxwood Joust is the most spectacular medieval festival in the UK. This weekend extravaganza features full-contact jousting twice each day, along with other daring displays of weaponry, archery and cannon fire as armoured knights prepare to meet in thunderous battle. For further information and tickets, visit the website.
Multiple dates: 7, 8, 14, 15 August 2021 Tel:07866468632 Email:info@legendpresents.co.uk
Into the Wild summer festival 2021
Date: 27 - 30 August 2021
Into the Wild is hosting the UK’s premier nature based festival, supporting people of all ages to come into the wild and have a brilliant life changing experience with some of the best workshops, talks and activities of any festival experience. The festival features over 200 brilliant workshops, wild crafts, delicious food and drink, an award-winning kids area, yoga classes, an outdoor theatre and much more.
Visit the website to find out more and book tickets. Email:in2wildinfotent@gmail.com
* This event will only go ahead subject to the Covid-19 government guidelines at the time.
Summer of sound at Wakehurst
Date: 9 July - 12 September 2021
Join Wakehurst for its new summer programme Summer of Sound, featuring six striking large-scale sound installations, offering immersive and mindful moments across the wild botanic garden. Weaving their way through Wakehurst’s wild landscape, visitors will discover a series of playful, innovative installations, each offering moments to pause and feel connected to nature through a symphony of sounds created or inspired by the natural world. Visit the website to find out more about the programme and to book tickets.
Tel:01444 894066 Email:wakehurst@kew.org
Petworth Castle
Date: Open throughout the Summer
On the edge of the market town, Petworth House and Park is the perfect place to evade the crowds and enjoy an invigorating walk. Explore the 700 acre grounds where you will find hundreds of fallow deer and a 1,000-year-old oak tree in this delightful open space. The park also welcomes dog walkers and routes can be downloaded on the Petworth National Trust website. There is plenty of history too – landscaped by ‘Capability Brown’ in the 18th century, the inspiring views are the subject of many Turner paintings, some of which adorn the walls in the National Trust House. If this place doesn’t make you want to leave it all behind and escape to the country, we’re not sure what will.
Arundel Castle
Date: Open throughout the Summer
No trip to West Sussex is complete without visiting the magnificent Arundel Castle. Set high on a hill in West Sussex, this great Castle commands the landscape with magnificent views across the South Downs and the River Arun. Built at the end of the 11th century by Roger de Montgomery, Earl of Arundel, the castle has seen sieges, battles and even a visit from Queen Victoria. Today, you can explore the extensive grounds and perfectly-kept gardens – the Stumpery Garden is a unique, magical spot with a woodland garden feel. For art lovers there is also a dazzling collection of artwork including pieces by Van Dyck, Gainsborough and Canaletto. Plus, there are lots of events that run all year round. Visit the website here.
Tel:01903 882173
Email:visits@arundelcastle.org
Weald and Downland Living Museum
Date: Open throughout the Summer
The Weald & Downland Living Museum – a hidden gem in the South East, quintessentially British in a picture perfect setting. We are a museum for those who want to see, touch and even smell what life was really like for people living in years gone by. Whether you are 5 or 95 there is something for everyone!
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