Rainy Day Adventures in Sussex
Stay Dry, Warm, and Wonderfully Entertained
When the skies turn grey (which isn't all that often, honestly!) Sussex shines in a different way. From fascinating museums to lively theatres and family-friendly indoor attractions, there’s no shortage of things to do when the rain rolls in. When you're dodging showers with the kids Sussex has you covered.
Step into history at the Weald and Downland Living Museum, where centuries-old buildings and interactive exhibits offer a rich, immersive experience. Art lovers can find inspiration at the amazing galleries in the region. For families, Out of Bounds in Littlehampton and PLAYXPERIENCE in Bognor Regis are packed with indoor fun, from bowling and soft play to climbing and arcade games.
Mini theatre-lovers can enjoy world-class performances at the Chichester Festival Theatre or the charming Devonshire Park Theatre. And for curious minds, Amberley Museum and Newhaven Fort offer hands-on exhibits that make learning a real adventure.
When it’s time to dry off and warm up, there’s nothing better than ducking into one of Sussex’s many cosy pubs for a meal. Think roaring fires, hearty food, and a pint of local ale at places like The George Inn in Burpham or The Crown Inn in Eastbourne, perfectly placed for relaxing after a day of exploring with the family.
So don’t let the rain stop you—Sussex is full of indoor gems just waiting to be discovered. You can see what the weather forecast for Sussex is on our weather page
Indoor activities for children
Keep the children happy, entertained and dry...
Drusillas Park
- Drusillas Zoo Park
Enjoy a great family day out at one of the top kids days out in Sussex. Widely regarded as the best…
Fishers Farm Park
If the thought of family-themed attractions fills you with dread, fear not. Fishers Farm Park is…
Butlin's Bognor Regis day visits
Butlin’s is pulling out all the stops to ensure its day visits are packed full of fun for the whole…
Out of Bounds
- Golfers Lane
Out of Bounds is an activity centre for children and adults of all ages, based in Angmering, West…
Smugglers Adventure
- Priory Road
Smugglers Adventure is an underground network or ancient caves and caverns, filled with secret…
Amberley Museum
If you want to discover more about the industrial heritage of West Sussex and the South East, spend…
Weald and Downland Living Museum
Be part of something historic and discover Sussex rural history through the seasons, in the heart of…
Bluebell Railway
Situated in the picturesque Sussex countryside, the Bluebell Railway stands as a captivating…
Newhaven Fort
- Fort Road
Newhaven Fort, recently restored after a £7.5 million restoration, is a fantastic…
Hastings Aquarium
- Rock-A-Nore Road
Step inside to head below the waves and discover what's roaming our oceans. From our own native…
Ditchling Museum of Art + Craft
- Lodge Hill Lane
Ditchling Museum of Art + Craft showcases the artists and craftspeople who made Ditchling a creative…
Little Street Rudgwick
- King George V Building
Responding to children's love of role play, we have created a realistic street designed with…
Paradise Park & Gardens
- Avis Road
Paradise Park offers fun for all ages across its 10-acre site. Discover the Planet Earth Museum…
Realms VR
- Pine Grove
Realms VR is Crowborough's premier virtual reality escape room, offering fully immersive…
Museums, Castles & more
Shelter from the rain and enjoy some culture
1066 Battle of Hastings, Abbey and Battlefield
- High Street
March into history on the most famous battlefield in England. Follow in the footsteps of the armies…
Arundel Castle
No trip to West Sussex is complete without visiting the magnificent Arundel Castle. Set high on a…
Arundel Museum
Located opposite the entrance to castle, Arundel's state-of-the-art museum has been designed to…
Bexhill Museum
- Egerton Road
Bexhill Museum mixes the traditional with the modern. Come and see our unique collections…
Bodiam Castle National Trust
- Castle Hill
About Bodiam Castle Set in the heart of an historic landscape, with spiral staircases, battlements…
Brede Steam Engine Society
- Waterworks Lane
Historic water pumping station with triple expansion steam engines & pumps
Bull House
- Bull House
Come walk in the footsteps of US Founding Father Thomas Paine and hear about his extraordinary life…
Charleston in Firle
- Charleston in Firle
"The most fashionable house in England" The Guardian Discover Charleston, the modernist…
Ditchling Beacon
Panoramic views from the top of the world. Stand at the top of Ditchling Beacon, look south out to…
Hastings Museum and Art Gallery
- Johns Place
The award-winning Hastings Museum & Art Gallery is a family-friendly museum with amazingly…
Henfield Museum
- The Henfield Hall
Step into a rich Sussex History at Henfield Museum. Our collections are full of items of…
Herstmonceux Castle Estate
- Herstmonceux Castle
Herstmonceux Castle is rich in history dating back to the 15th Century, commissioned by Sir Roger…
Lewes Castle & Museum
Visit Lewes Castle, a Norman Castle built after the Battle of Hastings by supporters of William the…
Littlehampton Museum
Littlehampton Museum is at the heart of the popular sunny seaside town on Britain's picturesque…
Newhaven Fort
- Fort Road
Newhaven Fort, recently restored after a £7.5 million restoration, is a fantastic…
Nymans - National Trust
- Staplefield Road
Play your way through the summer holidays with races, games and active challenges. Head down to…
Paradise Park & Gardens
- Avis Road
Paradise Park offers fun for all ages across its 10-acre site. Discover the Planet Earth Museum…
Petworth House and Park
On the edge of the market town, Petworth House and Park is the perfect place to evade the crowds and…
Pevensey Castle
- Castle Rd,
Founded in the fourth century as one of the last of the Roman 'Saxon Shore' forts, Pevensey…
Rampion Visitor Centre
The Visitor Centre is an exciting and interactive educational experience for children and adults of…
Slindon Estate
Slindon Estate is 1,400 hectares of woodland, downland, farmland, and parkland. With countless…
Smugglers Adventure
- Priory Road
Smugglers Adventure is an underground network or ancient caves and caverns, filled with secret…
Tangmere Military Aviation Museum
- Gamecock Terrace
Discover the Thrill of Aviation! Bring your family to the Tangmere Military Aviation Museum and…
The Kent and East Sussex Railway
- Station Road
Escape the everyday on the Kent & East Sussex Railway to enjoy a unique view of the beautiful…
The Novium
Built over the remains of a Roman bathhouse, The Novium Museum is based in the centre of Chichester…
The True CRIME Museum
- White Rock
A SHOCKING attraction for everyone fascinated by the dark world of CRIME A chilling, yet fascinating…
Willingdon-Polegate Windmill
- Parkcroft
Our Grade II listed windmill was built in 1817 and has a wealth of original artifacts in our…
Woolbeding Gardens
Nestled in a quiet corner of West Sussex lies a true horticultural haven bursting with colourful…
What's on this week?
Rhythm of the Dance
This incredible live show celebrates both the rich history of Ireland as well as the art of Irish…
John C Karaoke
- Jul 10, 2025 - Apr 23, 2026
Karaoke/Disco hosted by Social Media Personality John C at Queens Bar formally known as (Hastings…
Vanessa Bell: A World of Form and Colour
- Jul 9, 2025 - Sep 20, 2025
This exhibition takes place at Charleston in Lewes. Step into the world of Vanessa Bell, a…
The True CRIME Museum
- Jul 9, 2025 - Dec 31, 2025
The True CRIME Museum is a SHOCKING attraction for everyone fascinated by the dark world of CRIME!…
Marie & Rosetta
- Chichester Festival Theatre
- Jul 9, 2025 - Jul 26, 2025
Sister Rosetta Tharpe, the roof-raising ‘godmother of rock ‘n’ roll’, influenced countless musicians…
Curtain Up
- Jul 9, 2025 - Oct 15, 2025
From Stage to Screen and everything in between This summer, The Royal Hippodrome Theatre proudly…
Crazier Golf in Eastbourne
- Jul 9, 2025 - Sep 17, 2025
Swing through 9 crazier holes featuring catapults, loops, and conveyors! Experience the unique…
Chichester950 | Religion, Rebellion & Reformation
- Chichester Cathedral
- Jul 9, 2025 - Nov 15, 2025
An exhibition sharing the story of the Christian faith in Sussex, revealed through people, events…
The Amy Winehouse Experience: Lioness
In her short career the talent of Amy Winehouse created a lasting impression on the music world of…
The Sussex Steam Rally
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Top Hat
- Chichester Festival Theatre
- Jul 14, 2025 - Sep 6, 2025
You’re invited to the musical equivalent of a finest vintage champagne. Effervescent, elegant and…
Sussex Modernism
- Towner Gallery
- Jul 9, 2025 - Sep 27, 2025
Spanning from the late nineteenth century to the present, Sussex Modernism interweaves painting…
Summer junior golf camps
- Goodwood Estate
- Jul 9, 2025 - Jul 16, 2025
A fun environment for young golfers aged 5-13 to help them learn how to golf and develop new skills…
Paule Vézelay: Living Lines
- Towner Gallery
- Jul 9, 2025 - Aug 30, 2025
This spring, the first major exhibition of Paule Vézelay's work in over 40 years will tour…
Lewes Music Group: Boogie Wonderland
Good Times in this one-of-a-kind showcase that will keep you dancing all night long! This non-stop…
Hits Out Of Hell - The Legend Of Meat Loaf
Presented by Ellis Live Celebrating the life, music, and legend of the musical maestro, Meat Loaf…
Curious About Chichester
- Jul 9, 2025 - Oct 25, 2025
Have fun discovering Chichester with two self-guided, quirky, heritage walks with an optional…
Izumi Kato
- Jul 9, 2025 - Nov 2, 2025
Explore the first institutional exhibition of Izumi Kato’s work in the UK. Living and working…
House Entry 2025
- Jul 9, 2025 - Feb 1, 2026
Curious About Hastings
- Jul 9, 2025 - Oct 25, 2025
Have fun discovering Hastings with two self-guided, quirky, heritage walks with an optional treasure…
The Album Era performs Bruce Springsteen's Born To Run
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