‘The sun always shines in Sussex’. That’s what my wife and I routinely boast to our friends. Whilst that might be a bit of an exaggeration (memories of June are still raw), it’s true that Sussex is one of the sunniest places in the UK (Eastbourne holds the sunshine record, I believe). If we are due any rays, they are likely to shine here. The balmy weather, combined with a multitude of great, outdoorsy things to do with kids, are the reasons we moved to Sussex from London. We’ve spent the last two years working our way round the area’s beaches, hills, castles and and farms – some, or all, of which could be packaged up for a brilliant, and cheap, summer mini-break en famille. Here are nine of the best places to head – and one to take cover in when it (occasionally / inevitably) rains.
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- Brighton Beach. OK, here’s the truth: Brighton Beach itself isn’t very good for toddlers. Stoney and steeply shelving, it’s not much fun for paddling and sand castles are off the agenda. However, there’s a buzz about the front that makes it irresistible. Best of all are the fantastic kids playgrounds along the promenade. Kitted out with sandpits, paddling pools and slides, they’re a thoroughly enjoyable – and free – way to spend a sunny afternoon.
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- Drusillas, near Alfriston, is a Sussex institution – a kind of Alton Towers for the Under 8s. Not cheap (£62 for a family of 4 in peak summer), it’s pitched perfectly for little ones. Thomas the Tank Engine chuffs every day (don’t expect real steam though), there are some awesome adventure playgrounds and the animal attractions allow you to get up close and person with lemurs, parrots and bats.
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- Bodiam Castle is the picture of a castle you drew as a child. Perfectly proportioned and surrounded by a moat, it ticks all the boxes. Your kids will love climbing on the ramparts and pretending to be knights of old. Plus, you can combine a trip here with a ride on the Kent and East Sussex Railway – there’s a station right by.
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- Camber Sands is the best beach in Sussex. Backed by gorgeous, silky-soft dunes and offering miles of flat sand at low tide, it’s the perfect place to take a toddler for splashing and castle-building. Just watch out though on hot weekends – it gets packed with day-trippers and keeping an eye on your kids requires vigilance.
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- Roundstone Farm at Ferring, near Worthing, is a PYO for the super-size generation. If they can grow it, you can pick it. For extra thrills, there’s a tractor that takes you round the different growing zones – alight here for beetroot! Plus there’s a cafe for afterwards selling nice lunches and ice creams. Can you imagine more fun in an afternoon?
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- Jack and Jill windmills, atop the South Downs at Clayton, are a Sussex icon. The views across the Sussex Weald and along the Downs are sensational. A great place to go for a walk with children, you can avoid any steep climbs by parking in the free car park next to the windmills. Then follow the track along the ridge to Ditching Beacon – a glorious roundtrip of about 5km. Alternatively, just plonk yourselves in the field in front of the mills, admire the view and allow the kids to run it all off.
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- There are lots of farm parks in Sussex but Blackberry Farm, near Lewes, is a real gem. For a reasonable £7 for adults and £6 for children (under 1s go free), it offers a good variety of activities – from animal feeding to ride-ons, soft play, slides and – the piece de resistance – a huge bouncy ‘Jumping Pillow’. There are also pony and donkey rides – your kids will be kept busy for hours.
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- Birling Gap has a stunning setting, at the east end of the Seven Sisters. This is a beach for pottering. Time your visit for low-tide and the most fabulous rock-pools are exposed, making for a happy afternoon of crab and limpet-fishing. Word of advice: the rocks are slippery and can be sharp, so make sure your kids have appropriate footwear. Once the rock-pooling tires, head back up to the top of the cliff for cakes in the National Trust cafe.
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- The Brighton Undercliff Walk, stretching from the Marina to Saltdean, can’t claim to be a thing of beauty: it’s a rather brutal concrete path carved into the base of the towering white cliffs above. However, it does make for a perfect stroll on a sunny morning. Easy to push buggies along – or ride bikes or scooters – it’s a lovely way to take in the sea air. Top tip 1: wear sunglasses. The sun reflecting on the cliffs is blinding. Top tip 2: Stop for bacon sandwiches at the little cafe at Ovingdean. They are lush – and the cakes are good too.
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- Gatwick Airport: OK, so sounds a bit odd, but it’s actually a great, free day out for aeroplane-obsessed tots like ours. No need to fly anywhere, just head to the little mag-lev train that shuttles between South and North terminals. We sat on it for ages, watching the planes. You can also get a great view of the planes taking off from the car parks (!); there’s nice wide corridors to run along; and when you’re ready for refreshment, Cafe Nero in South Terminal does a mean hot choc.
The Trunki Files 
I just wanted to add that although Jack Windmill is privately owned and currently in a poor state of repair (sort it out, owner!) Jill Windmill is beautifully kept and open to the public most Sunday afternoons in the summer. Details can be found here http://www.jillwindmill.org.uk/jjmap3.htm