Photo: Dzp, CC BY-SA 3.0Animal parks, farms and wildlife centres in Sussex
13 animal parks, farms and wildlife centres in Sussex that suit families, each checked against official sources. Of these, 1 is free to enter, 6 have indoor space and 12 are marked as suiting toddlers.
Some animal experiences, tours and feeding sessions have to be booked in advance, so check the listing and the venue's website before you set off.
Free to enter
Free entry. Parking, food and activities inside can cost extra, so check each listing.
Photo: Oast House Archive, CC BY-SA 2.0Raystede Centre for Animal Welfare
The grounds of a long-running Sussex animal rescue charity, where visitors can see animals waiting for new homes and walk through the gardens and nature reserve. A free guided tour runs every morning.
Paid entry
Each card shows the price band; the listing has the details.
Image: Aldingbourne Country CentreAldingbourne Country Centre
A charity-run country centre near Chichester with an open farm, ride-on tractors, play areas, a maze and woodland walks. Profits support the Aldingbourne Trust's work with people with learning disabilities and autism.
Image: Drusillas ParkDrusillas Park
A family zoo aimed at younger children, mixing animals with rides, play areas and soft play. It is one of the easiest full days out in East Sussex for families with under-10s.
Image: Hastings AquariumHastings Aquarium
An aquarium on the seafront at Rock-a-Nore with an underwater tunnel, an ocean tank with catsharks and a jungle area. Talks and feeds run through the day, and there is a cafe on site.
Image: Huxley's Birds of Prey Centre and GardenHuxley's Birds of Prey Centre
A charity-run birds of prey centre behind Hilliers Garden Centre on the edge of Horsham, home to more than 80 birds including falcons, hawks, eagles and owls, plus a family of meerkats. Free flying displays run twice a day, with handler talks in between, all set in landscaped gardens.
Image: SEA LIFE Brighton AquariumSEA LIFE Brighton
The world's oldest continually operating aquarium, opened in 1872 on Brighton seafront, with more than 5,000 creatures under its restored Victorian arcade. Meet giant green sea turtles, sharks and jellyfish, and get hands-on in the rockpools.
Photo: PAUL FARMER, CC BY-SA 2.0Sharnfold Farm
A family farm park between Eastbourne and Pevensey with friendly animals, an adventure playground and a string of themed play zones, from a mini maze to a sensory street. It is also known for pick-your-own crops, including pumpkins in October.
Image: WWT Arundel Wetland CentreWWT Arundel Wetland Centre
Boardwalks and hides through reedbeds and ponds below Arundel Castle, with ducks, geese and swans to meet up close. The short boat safari through the reeds is a hit with younger children.
Image: Coombes FarmCoombes Farm Tours
A working farm in the Adur valley that opens each spring for lambing, with hundreds of ewes lambing in the barns and calves and piglets to see. Tractor rides head up onto the South Downs to see the animals out in the fields.
Check the listing for prices
Prices vary by activity or are set by the venue, so we do not guess.
Image: Blackberry Farm ParkBlackberry Farm Park
Blackberry Farm Park is a family-run farm park on the A22 south of Uckfield. Children can feed animals on the farm walk, join animal handling sessions and ride ponies from age two, then head to the big indoor and outdoor play areas. A café, picnic spots and party cabins make it an easy day with young children.
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Image: Fishers Farm ParkFishers Farm Park
A family-run adventure farm with animals to meet, more than 50 rides and attractions, and indoor soft play included in the ticket. It copes well with a wet day thanks to its indoor play and picnic barn.
Image: Knockhatch Adventure ParkKnockhatch Adventure Park
Knockhatch near Hailsham mixes a small zoo with rides and play for a rain-or-shine family day. Visit the Jungle Kingdom zoo and owl display arena, ride Blackbeard's Buccaneer, and use the indoor and outdoor play areas, with bookable experiences with capybaras, lemurs, meerkats and owls. It opens almost every day of the year.
Photo: Martyn Pattison, CC BY-SA 2.0Sky Park Farm
A working deer farm in the South Downs National Park near Petersfield, where fenced paths lead between paddocks of deer towards the River Rother. Children can let off steam in a handcrafted adventure playground, and there is a farm shop, butchery and bar and grill on site.
Questions people ask
Which animal parks, farms and wildlife centres in Sussex are free to enter?
Our listings show free entry at Raystede Centre for Animal Welfare. Check each listing for anything charged on top, such as parking, food or activities.
Which of these suit toddlers?
Our listings mark Aldingbourne Country Centre, Drusillas Park, Hastings Aquarium, Huxley's Birds of Prey Centre, SEA LIFE Brighton, Sharnfold Farm, WWT Arundel Wetland Centre and Blackberry Farm Park and 4 more as suiting toddlers and young children.
Which of these have indoor space?
Our listings show indoor space at Drusillas Park, Hastings Aquarium, SEA LIFE Brighton, Blackberry Farm Park, Fishers Farm Park and Knockhatch Adventure Park. The others are listed as outdoor visits, so dress for the weather.