8 things you really should do and see in Sussex during the school holidays

Brighton and Hove and the rest of Sussex has dozens of great days out so today we have put together a list of some of some of the best family venues in and around the city just in case you are looking for a few ideas.

There is a good chance the weather will pick up this week so you should get the chance to get out in the fresh air again.

Sea Life Centre: Brighton seafront

From glass bottomed boat rides and sharks to a rainforest adventure, there is something for everyone at the Sea Life Centre.

There is the opportunity to touch a starfish and compete some puzzles on your way round. On August 24 and 25 the centre will be putting on live mermaid displays and while this is included in ticket prices, the auditorium will only seat a certain number so they are giving customers wristbands for the event at a first come first serve basis.

Mermaid displays will take place at 11.30am, 1pm and 3pm on both days. Tickets start at £10.50 online, it is always advisable to pre-book online to get the best price and guarantee entry. Feeding and opening times can also be found on the website. The Sea Life Centre is also right next to Brighton Palace Pier and beach, which makes it the perfect place to take a picnic and end the day with some fair rides.

Brighton Toy and Model Museum: Trafalgar Street, Brighton

Proclaiming to be one of the world’s greatest toy museums, the Brighton Toy and Model Museum offers a menagerie of sights and experiences for young and old alike.

Fittingly located in the Victorian railway arches under Brighton railway station, the museum has over 10,000 exhibits on display, including toys throughout the decades.

Highlights include the intricate vintage model train exhibition, collections of soft toys by Steiff, Victorian dolls and doll houses and a vast collection of Dinky die cast vehicles.

Parents will undoubtedly find mementoes of their own childhood down in the Victorian cellars, which are packed with four thousand square feet of toys and games from throughout the ages.

Admission is £4 for children and students and £6.50 for adults, while a family ticket for two adults and three children is just £14.00.

All parts of the museum are accessible to disabled visitors and guide dogs are permitted.

Fishers Farm Park: Newpound Lane, Wisborough Green

Fishers Farm Park is a hands-on attraction with something to offer whatever the weather. Tucked away in the West Sussex countryside near Horsham, the farm is open every day from 10am to 5pm.

There are a host of activities for kids to participate in, including climbing walls, trailer and tractor rides, pony trekking, and bumper cars. There are plenty of hands-on activities which should do a stellar job of wearing out the little ones, and parents looking for a place to sit down and grab a bite to eat can check out any one of a number of on-site restaurants. In February, the farm won an award for the Best Farm Attraction of the Year, which praised its indoor play areas and the range of activities available. Entry for adults and children is £16, while children under two get in free; if you book online prior to your visit you can save a pound per head.

Bluebell Railway: Sheffield Park Station, Uckfield

The Bluebell Railway offers the perfect fun family day out of sightseeing around East Sussex.

With an all day rover ticket passengers can hop on and off the locomotive at their leisure and explore the beautiful countryside.

The steam train chugs along an 11-mile route between Sheffield Park and East Grinstead calling at Horsted Keynes and Kingscote. From August 24 until August 26, families can join in a teddy bears picnic, including a free ticket for children who bring their favourite teddy bear. While the company offer a packed lunch service, it is advisable to take your own picnic and choose the picnic spot to keep costs down. Adult tickets are £16, children’s tickets are £8 (apart from those who bring their favourite teddy for the picnic), family tickets start at £28 and all can be purchased online. The trains timetable can be found on their website.

Sama’s Circus City: Circus Parade, Brighton

Sama’s Circus City is ideal to keep the kids entertained all day, especially if the weather is bad.

The Circus City has three separate play areas on offer; one for younger children, a small trampoline and ball pit area and a larger soft play area. The play areas have pretty good visibility for keeping an eye on things and the area for younger children has wooden bar with stools along the outside, perfect for a quick coffee (the latte is recommended), while they play. Sama’s also offers a stay and play option, which includes a children’s meal and costs £6.99 per child. Meals include chicken nuggets, pasta with homemade sauce, fish fingers and sausages. The security measures are also very good; there is a gate by the entrance that requires staff to open and close it via a button by the till.They also offer a wide range of adult meals at a reasonable price.

Middle Farm: West Firle, near Lewes

Located just outside Lewes in Firle, Middle Farm offers a refined family experience nestled under the South Downs.

It has a hay barn and zoo, which houses a handpicked selection of friendly farm animals. In addition, Middle Farm offers outdoor play areas and an indoor hay barn, which is guaranteed to provide hours of amusement. Those looking for something more sedate can wander along the farm’s nature trail, which winds through picturesque farmland and woodland. Quality local produce is available from the Farm Shop, with the majority of foods on sale sourced directly from Sussex farmers and suppliers.

Timed events occur throughout the day, including cow milking at the milking parlour and pony grooming. On different Wednesdays throughout August the Open Farm is hosting a number of children’s activities, including circus skills and scarecrow making on Wednesday 28. Entry is £7 for adults and children and free to those under the age of three.

Brighton Palace Pier

Brighton Palace Pier is an essential part of any tourists’ pilgrimage through this wonderfully eclectic city.

A viewing platform for sea and land, the Grade II listed attraction has something to satisfy everyone and ensures a perfect trip to the seaside.

Feast on fish and chips (just watch out for the seagulls), sip cocktails as the sun goes down, win big at the arcade or enjoy the fair rides.

To get the best price for the Pier head to their website and purchase a wristband costing £20 per adult and £12 per child. Wristbands offer unlimited access to all rides and should save customers 25 per cent.

Also on offer for £32.50 per adult and £20 per child is a Pier Day ticket, which includes unlimited rides and fish and chips in Palm Court. Please note children’s wristbands are based on height and not age. All wristbands must be purchased in advance.

Raystede Centre for Animal Welfare: The Broyle, Ringmer, near Lewes

The Raystede Animal Sanctuary offers a variety of opportunities for visitors to learn more about animals and how to care for them.

The site boasts two lakes and 9.5 acres of wildlife including a sensory safari which allows visitors to smell, see and hear their way around while following a trail sheet and solving puzzles.

Trail sheets can be purchased from the information centre for just £2 and the theme changes every month. The sanctuary is closed until August 17 due to Channel 4 filming there for Animal Rescue live with Supervet Professor Noel Fitzpatrick, but once reopened they are holding free talks about different animals everyday until August 30.

Also on offer are weekend activities including getting to know the goats, chickens, exotic birds and donkeys. As entry is by donation, Raystede is definitely worth a visit for families and animal lovers. The sanctuary also has an onsite café and charity shop.