Sussex is ringing to the sound of children’s excited voices this month as the summer holidays get under way.

With another four or five weeks of freedom ahead of them, children of all ages are dreaming of thrilling adventures, and in Sussex parents really are spoilt for choice when it comes to deciding how to keep them occupied.

Sussex boasts beautiful countryside, with the high Sussex Weald giving way to the rolling chalk downland of the South Downs, and miles of glorious coastline with sandy and pebbled beaches and the opportunity to indulge in many seaside activities and water sports. And because the characters of Sussex’s superb cities and terrific towns and villages are so diverse, there are some truly innovative things to do for children, often tucked away in little corners of the county.

Aldingbourne Country Centre

In one of the most scenic areas in the country is the Aldingbourne Country Centre at Norton, near Chichester (01243 542075 or www.aldingbournetrust.co.uk ).

The charity has a tranquil woodland walk, a children’s play area and an open farm, with alpacas, donkeys, pigs, goats, turkeys, guinea pigs, chickens, rabbits, ducks and birds. This year, mini golf and remote control cars are new attractions, and the cafe, which has just been refurbished, has appetising food made from fresh local produce.

Arundel Wetland Centre

There are family-friendly activities throughout the summer at the Arundel Wetland Centre, in Mill Road, Arundel. Each week, there is a Feathers, Fur And Flight event focusing on different animals, such as Wriggle Week, which explores the world of insects from Monday August 6, Bat Week from Monday August 13, which includes an evening Bat Walk on Thursday, August 16, Water Vole Week from Monday August 20, and Butterfly Week from Monday August 27. Watch out for the Spider Safaris on Saturday and Sunday, August 11 and 12, too. (Some events require pre-booking.) Run by the Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust, the Wetland Centre is a beautiful setting for children to explore and learn more about nature. For details, call 01903 883355 or visit www.wwt.org.uk .

At the woodland wonderland that is the Wilderness Wood at Hadlow Down, near Uckfield, (01825 830509 or www.wildnerness wood.co.uk ) there is a new one-mile trail route through the 62-acre woodland, which was opened by Sussex celebrity Natasha Kaplinsky last month. The route uncovers the wood’s history, from Roman iron smelting to local beer production, introduces visitors to the ins and outs of timber production and visits varied habitats along the way. And throughout the summer holidays there are plenty of activities and special events for children, including learning woodcrafts and how to build camps, discovering Woodland Monsters and going on a Bear Hunt, learning how to survive in the wild, and discovering Fairy Gardens.

Sussex Wildlife Trust

Kids can also go wild outside at summer holiday clubs arranged by the Sussex Wildlife Trust (call 01273 492630 or visit www.sussexwildlife trust.org.uk/events ). Ranging from survival skills, crafts, rockpooling, games and bushcraft, the events throughout August take place at locations including Woods Mill at Henfield, Stanmer Park, near Brighton, Tilgate Park, near Crawley, Leechpool and Owlbeech Woods, near Horsham, and Seven Sisters Country Park.

Sussex is a county of momentous historic events. It is 1066 country, where William the Conqueror landed and began his invasion of England, building many castles and forts along the Sussex coast and beyond.

Historic castles

Children can get a taste of Sussex’s turbulent history when England’s Medieval Festival comes to Herstmonceux Castle at Herstmonceux over the Bank Holiday weekend of Saturday-Monday, August 25-27.

In the festival’s 20th year, the 15th century moated castle (01323 833816 or visit www.herstmonceux-castle.com ) comes alive as minstrels, magicians and jesters add mayhem, music and dance to the festivities. The festival celebrates the Middle Ages with tournaments, jousting and grand parades, and there’s a Kids Kingdom, where children can have a go at archery, enjoy pony rides, a jester school, stage shows, face-painting and games.

For discount price advance ticket sales, visit www.englandsmedievalfestival.com or call 020 8150 6767 for details.

On Saturday, August 25, there’s a feast fit for a king at the Medieval Banquet, which takes place in the castle’s Grand Ballroom from 6.30-10pm (again call 020 8150 6767 for more information).

Battle Abbey at High Street, Battle, holds 1066-related events throughout the summer (01424 775705 or www.english-heritage.org.uk ), and Lewes Castle also has a series of events for children in the coming months (01273 486290 or www.sussexpast.co.uk ). Newhaven Fort, an ancient monument in Fort Road, Newhaven, is on the site of Norman fortifications and has vast echoing tunnels built into the chalk cliffs. For details of summer events call 01273 517622 or visit www.newhavenfort.org.uk There’s also a series of medieval tournaments, pirates and smugglers days and Normans in the Castle Keep at Arundel Castle (01903 882173 or www.arundelcastle.org ).

For children who love the Romans, there’s a Roman Revelry at Bignor Roman Villa (01798 869259 or visit www.bignorromanvilla.co.uk ) on Saturday and Sunday, August 11 and 12, from 10am to 6pm. You can feel like a real Roman by learning about how Romans used herbs, practised religion and learnt how to become a gladiator. Raven Tor will stage gladiator combat displays.

The remains of the largest home in Roman Britain are to be found at Fishbourne Roman Palace, Roman Way, Fishbourne (01243 785859 or www.sussexpast.co.uk). A full list of museums in Sussex can be found at www.sussexmuseums.co.uk .

Feast of fun

Roald Dahl’s Charlie And The Chocolate Factory is one of the country’s favourite books and children can learn how to be a chocolatier for a morning at Le Salon de Chocolat at Hortons Yard in Melbourne Road in Chichester (01243 775933 or www.lesalonduchocolat.co.uk ). They will discover how chocolate is made into different shapes and make their own chocolates to take home in Children’s School Holiday Workshops on Friday, August 3, and Friday, August 10, where there is an introductory offer of £20 per child. Booking is essential. More events are listed on their website.

Under the sea

Children are transported to the spectacular “underwater gardens” of the Mediterranean and the tropical waters of the Blue Reef Aquarium at Rock-a-Nore Road, Hastings (01424 718776 or www.bluereef aquarium.co.uk ). They are home to jellyfish, seahorses, living corals and moray eels, but its centrepiece is a gigantic ocean display housing a coral reef and exotic species such as blacktip reef sharks, stingrays and puffer fish, with an underwater walkthrough tunnel.

The new Remarkable Reptiles features allow visitors to come face-to-face with poison arrow frogs, turtles, boa constrictors and bearded dragons.

And every Wednesday throughout August there are Creatures Of The Deep make-and-take workshops at Brighton Marina (www.brightonmarina.co.uk ). Themed each week on creatures such as cuttlefish, crabs, seahorses, starfish and octopus, the free events, in conjunction with artist-led charity group Same Sky, take place at 7 Mermaid Walk on the Waterfront on August 1, 8, 15, 22 and 29.