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 – Adventure for All Ages in West Sussex Out of Bounds in Angmering is the…
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…
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
- Basepoint
Realms VR is Crowborough's very own Virtual Reality Escape Room and Games Centre, offering fully…
Museums, Castles & more
Shelter from the rain and enjoy some culture
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…
Bentley Miniature Railway
- Harveys Lane
Established in 1985, Bentley Miniature Railway is one of South East England's hidden…
BN9 Studio & Atrium
- Marine Workshops
Creative community spaces, offering a diverse programme of exhibitions and events throughout the…
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
Charleston in Firle
- Charleston in Firle
"The most fashionable house in England" The Guardian Discover Charleston, the modernist…
Devil's Dyke
Immerse yourself in one of the longest, deepest and widest dry valley areas in the UK. The inner…
East Grinstead Museum
- Cantelupe Road
East Grinstead Museum tells two stories: the history of the town and local area, and the story of…
Goodwood Art Foundation
A new destination for contemporary art in the UK, the Goodwood Art Foundation will feature the work…
Gorringe's Auction House
- North Street
Gorringe's is an Auction House which has been trusted by sellers of fine art, antiques and…
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…
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
- Staplefield Road
One of the National Trust’s premier gardens, Nymans has views stretching across the Sussex Weald…
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
- Kings Road Arches
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…
Standen House and Gardens
Discover the arts and crafts movement at the Standen family home and explore life as it would have…
The Novium Museum
- Tower Street
The Novium Museum is Chichester District's award-winning museum. Located in the heart of…
The True CRIME Museum
- Palace Avenue Arcade
A SHOCKING attraction for everyone fascinated by the dark world of CRIME A chilling, yet fascinating…
Uppark House and Garden
- Uppark House and Garden
Free to enter garden laid to lawn with colourful and scented borders and a stunning wildflower…
Willingdon-Polegate Windmill
- Parkcroft
Our Grade II listed windmill was built in 1817 and has a wealth of original artifacts in our…
Woolbeding Gardens
- Brambling Lane
Nestled in a quiet corner of West Sussex lies a true horticultural haven bursting with colourful…
What's on this week?
Scott Bradlee & Postmodern Jukebox
Starting out as the bedroom project of Jazz pianist Scott Bradlee and rapidly growing into a viral…
Chichester Pride
This will be Chichester's 5th Pride ‘festival style’ Pride ticketed event in Chichester, West…
Eastbourne G&S: The Mikado
- May 22, 2026 - May 24, 2026
Expect all the Mikado wit and music you love, but with a Scottish twist! As one of Gilbert…
Spire Visits
- Chichester Cathedral
- May 20, 2026 - May 30, 2026
Ascend through nearly 950 years of history, guided by knowledgeable volunteers, to Chichester…
Ropetackle Comedy Club
- Ropetackle Arts Centre
- May 21, 2026 - Nov 19, 2026
Shoreham’s funniest night out is back – and we’ve handpicked SIX of the very best comics on the…
Rainbow Voices - Pre-Pride Fundraiser
Join our Rainbow Voices for a musical celebration to help raise funds for Chichester Pride 2026!…
Lewes Ghost Walk
- May 22, 2026 - Jul 24, 2026
A 90 minute Guided Walk through Lewes introducing you to some of the darker stories from the Towns…
Race Meeting
Afternoon Jump Racing. Check venue for exact opening and race times.
Sheila's Island
- May 19, 2026 - May 22, 2026
"Sheila's Island" is a comedy play about four female executives, Sheila, Denise…
Boo Hewerdine & Yvonne Lyon and Support
Boo Hewerdine and Yvonne Lyon's 'Things Found in Books' project is a book and album of…
Brush With the Blues
The evening sees the first appearance in Uckfield of the incredible Tom Waters Band featuring Geoff…
Curious About Chichester
- May 18, 2026 - Oct 24, 2026
Unlock Chichester's Hidden Stories: Quirky Walks & Treasure Hunts Await! Ditch the ordinary…
Three Cheers for Pooh! Centenary Exhibition and Story Trail at Nymans
- May 18, 2026 - Jun 28, 2026
Extracts from A.A. Milne's much-loved Winnie-the Pooh stories are paired with E.H. Shepard's…
Curious About Hastings
- May 18, 2026 - Oct 24, 2026
Britallica - Britney Spears Metal Tribute
Britallica is the worlds first metal tribute to Britney Spears a high-energy mashup of pop princess…
Evening Jazz with Big House
- May 20, 2026 - Aug 19, 2026
Join us for an evening of fun with live jazz in The Old Workshop with snacks, wine & soft drinks…
The Jive Aces
Having become the first ever band to reach the semi finals of *Britain's Got Talent* in 2012…
Prephoria Feat. Ryan Brova + More
Uplifting House. Euphoric Trance. Presented by The Piper. This is an 18+ event
House Tour
- May 18, 2026 - Dec 31, 2026
Join us for an intimate guided tour around the house at Charleston in Firle. A knowledgeable visitor…
Halloween Ghost Walk Pevensey
- May 23, 2026 - Jul 25, 2026
A 90 minute Guided Ghost walk of Pevensey. Meet Castle Car Park for a guide walk hearing some of the…
Birdsong Identification
Take an early morning amble through the spring woods to discover and learn some birdsongs. Sarah…
Little Crafters
- Leonardslee Lakes and Gardens
- May 24, 2026 - Sep 28, 2026
Let your little ones get stuck into this fun and creative crafting session for 18 months - 4 year…
Elderflower Fields
- May 22, 2026 - May 25, 2026
Elderflower Fields returns for a special 15th anniversary celebration, encouraging families to…
Race Meeting
- May 22, 2026 - May 23, 2026
Afternoon Flat Racing. Check venue for exact opening and race times.