Attractions & Museums in Sussex

Zorbing or Sphereing, is the new craze sweeping the country! Participants get in a large plastic round inflatable ball protected by a massive cushion of air (something resembling a huge hamster ball) and then roll down a big hill, reaching speeds of up to 30mph!  Set atop Devils Dyke with stunning views across Brighton, the coast and the South Downs, Orb360’s Orb-run is the longest in the country at half a mile long! For the water lovers there are Aqua-Orbs, you and friend join 50litres of splashing water and roll down the Aqua-slide.

The Brighton Museum and Art Gallery had a cash injection of 10million, which has resulted in better facilities and redesigned galleries.  A popular museum, with collections that include 20th century art and design, pottery, archaeology, toys, hobbies, images of Brighton, fine art, fashion, style, world art, religion and social history.

Museums of shops and social history from bygone years.  The museum is home to over 100,000 nostalgic items collected over 40 years.  Walk through displays include a children's play room, 1930's wireless shop, 1941 wartime kitchen and the back streets of Victorian England.

The museum is housed in an 18th century corn store and discovers the local history of Chichester with displays and hands on activities looking back to the Roman times onwards.  Regular exhibitions are held here, along with children’s activities.

Extraordinary open-air museum of fifty rebuilt historic buildings dating from the 13th to the 19th century, situated within 50 acres of beautiful Sussex countryside.  The buildings were rescued from destruction, dismantled, and then rebuilt. Exhibits include a timber framed farmhouse, market hall, Victorian school and medieval shop.  Regular demonstrations and people to talk to about how residents of the properties once lived.

Museum tracing military flights from the beginning to present day, with the emphasis on RAF Tangmere, which was established in 1916 and was one of the key fighter bases during the Second World War.  Historic aircrafts and equipment are on show, as well as flight simulators and a replica of the first Spitfire.

Collection of restored mechanical musical instruments that are played whilst visitors tour, and over 100 Victorian and Edwardian dolls, displayed in a former Victorian church.

Roman villa discovered in 1811, located on the South Downs.  Extraordinary mosaics on display, including the longest section in the country, at 24 metres, and all under cover.  There are also objects on display found on site during excavations, including roof tiles, floor tiles and glass.   

Over 10,000 items, collected over 100 years, of toys, models and souvenirs.  The museum has a priceless toy and model train collection, Meccano, puppets, toy theatres and model ships.

The ultimate eco-friendly house! Purpose built, self-sufficient property built in the soil of Stanmer Park in Brighton.  Built from car tyres, it harvests sunlight and rainwater.  Open all year for viewing and two Sundays a month a 90 minute guided tour is available.

The village of Hartfield was the inspiration for the Winnie the Pooh stories and where all the “Enchanted Places” can be discovered, along with The Pooh shop. This used to be the shop where Christopher Robin’s nanny used to take him on the pack of their pet donkey to buy sweets.  It is now home to the world’s largest selection of Winnie-the-Pooh products.  Maps and guides can be picked up in the shop highlighting Pooh places to visit in the forest.

Britain’s steepest funicular railway is located in East Sussex.  The West Hill Cliff Railway is over 115 year old and is locally known as the “West Hill Lift”.  The railway runs from George Street in Hastings town centre, through the cliff and up to the Castle, providing fabulous views of Beachy Head and across the English Channel.

Family theme park located on the outskirts of the New Forest.  Exotic birds on display and 50 different attractions for adults and children, including rides, animated shows, museums and play areas.