Photo: Photo of Hastings: Peter Trimming, CC BY-SA 2.0Quirky and unusual days out in Sussex
The most unusual days out in Sussex include Volk's Electric Railway in Brighton, the world's oldest working electric railway (closed until Easter 2027), and Smugglers Adventure in Hastings, a tour through more than an acre of caves. For something gentler, try Pooh Corner in Hartfield, a Winnie-the-Pooh tearoom with a free mini museum, or Knepp Wildland at Dial Post, where white storks roam free.
Sussex has more unusual days out than its best-known attractions suggest. You can ride a railway that has run along Brighton beach since 1883, explore caves under Hastings' West Hill that tell the story of smuggling gangs, and visit the Sussex farmhouse of the surrealist photographer Lee Miller. The places below are picked for their stories and quirks rather than their size.
Several of them are seasonal, so check dates before you set off. Volk's Electric Railway is closed for the 2026 season and is due to reopen for Easter half term in 2027, Smugglers Adventure closes for winter after 1 November 2026, and Farleys House and Gallery's season ends on 30 October.
Opening days vary a lot, from daily hours to weekends only, so check the notes on each pick. Pooh Corner's museum is free to visit and Knepp Wildland's 16 miles of footpaths are free too, though food, gifts and guided safaris cost extra.
Every place here is checked against its official website; the latest check was on .
Under the ground and under cover
Indoor visits in buildings and places with an unusual past.
Image: Smugglers AdventureSmugglers Adventure
An atmospheric tour through more than an acre of St Clement's Caves under Hastings' West Hill, telling the story of the area's smuggling gangs. Life-sized scenes, interactive exhibits and sound effects bring 18th-century life underground to life.
Why it's here: More than an acre of St Clement's Caves under West Hill, Hastings, with life-sized smuggling scenes. It is open daily from 10am to 5pm until 1 November 2026.
Image: Observatory Science Centre & MuseumObservatory Science Centre
A hands-on science centre set among the green telescope domes of the former Royal Observatory at Herstmonceux. Children can try more than 100 interactive exhibits indoors and out, then see the historic telescopes that once mapped the night sky.
Why it's here: More than 100 hands-on exhibits among the green telescope domes of the former Royal Observatory at Herstmonceux. It opens at weekends and in East Sussex school holidays, 10am to 5pm.
Image: Brighton Toy and Model MuseumBrighton Toy and Model Museum
A volunteer-run museum packed into four Victorian arches beneath Brighton station, holding more than 12,000 toys and models. Model railways and toys from the golden age of British and European toymaking fill the displays, with themed exhibitions through the year.
Why it's here: A volunteer-run museum in four Victorian arches beneath Brighton station, with more than 12,000 toys and models. It is open Tuesday to Saturday.
Rides with a purpose
Railways and lifts that are part of the day out.
Image: Visit 1066 Country (Hastings Borough Council)East Hill Cliff Railway, Hastings
A short, steep cliff railway climbing from Hastings Old Town to the clifftop at East Hill. At the top, Hastings Country Park opens out with sweeping coastal views, and at the bottom you are beside the beach-launched fishing fleet.
Why it's here: A short, steep cliff railway from Hastings Old Town to Hastings Country Park, with coastal views from the top. In October it runs Wednesday to Sunday, 11am to 4pm, and from 1 November it runs at weekends only.
Photo: Poliphilo, CC0EMSR Adventure Park (Eastbourne Miniature Steam Railway)
A miniature steam railway in a country park on the edge of Eastbourne. One-eighth scale locomotives pull passengers for nearly a mile around the park and a five-acre lake, and there are playgrounds and a railway-themed cafe.
Why it's here: One-eighth scale steam locomotives pull passengers for nearly a mile around a country park on the edge of Eastbourne, which also has a five-acre lake. It is open daily from 10am to 5pm.
Collections with a story
Museums and houses built around one person or one passion.
Image: Wings Aviation MuseumWings Museum
A volunteer-run Second World War aviation museum in a hangar-style building near Balcombe, close to Gatwick. It is packed with aero engines, cockpits, gun turrets, uniforms and personal stories, with displays on the Home Front, the Blitz, Bomber Command and D-Day.
Why it's here: A volunteer-run Second World War aviation museum near Balcombe, close to Gatwick, with aero engines, cockpits and gun turrets. It is open Tuesday to Sunday until 22 November.
Photo: PAUL FARMER, CC BY-SA 2.0Farleys House and Gallery
The Sussex farmhouse home of surrealist photographer Lee Miller and artist Roland Penrose from 1949, filled with their art collection and visited by leading figures of 20th-century art. Guided tours of the house run alongside changing exhibitions and a sculpture garden.
Why it's here: The Chiddingly farmhouse that Lee Miller and Roland Penrose lived in from 1949, with guided house tours, changing exhibitions and a sculpture garden. The 2026 season runs to 30 October.
Image: Pooh CornerPooh Corner
A Winnie-the-Pooh tearoom, gift shop and free mini museum in the village where A.A. Milne's stories were set, on the edge of Ashdown Forest. Stop for tea in the themed tearooms before heading out to find Poohsticks Bridge.
Why it's here: A Winnie-the-Pooh tearoom and gift shop in Hartfield, the village where A.A. Milne set his stories, with a free mini museum. Food and drink are paid for.
Wild and offbeat outdoors
Working farms, woods and an outdoor lido.
Image: Knepp WildlandKnepp Wildland
A pioneering rewilding project, where free-roaming herds, white storks and recovering wildlife have replaced intensive farming. Public footpaths, tree platforms and a lakeside hide let you explore for free, and the Wilding Kitchen is open all year.
Why it's here: 16 miles of free footpaths on a rewilding estate at Dial Post, with free-roaming herds, white storks and five tree viewing platforms. Guided safaris are extra.
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.
Why it's here: A working deer farm in the South Downs National Park near Petersfield, where fenced paths lead between the deer paddocks. Book farm experiences online.
Image: Wilderness WoodWilderness Wood
A working family woodland in the High Weald where you can walk, picnic and watch green woodworking, with The Hatch serving refreshments. Seasonal trails, pop-up food and Christmas fayres give families a reason to come back.
Why it's here: A working family woodland in the High Weald at Hadlow Down, where you can walk, picnic and watch green woodworking. Non-members pay £4 per person for walks and picnics.
Photo: Simon Carey, CC BY-SA 2.0Saltdean Lido
A Grade II* listed lido on the coast at Saltdean, east of Brighton, now open all year after a restoration funded by the National Lottery Heritage Fund, Historic England, the city council and local residents. Swim outdoors, then warm up in the cafe.
Why it's here: A Grade II* listed outdoor lido at Saltdean, east of Brighton, open all year after restoration. Book swims online, then warm up in the cafe.
Questions people ask
Is Volk's Electric Railway running in 2026?
No. Volk's Electric Railway in Brighton is closed for the 2026 season and is due to reopen for Easter half term 2027. Tickets are bought at the stations, with no advance booking.
Which quirky days out are indoors?
Smugglers Adventure in Hastings is a tour through caves, and the Brighton Toy and Model Museum is housed in Victorian arches under Brighton station. The Wings Museum near Balcombe is indoors too, with aircraft cockpits and gun turrets.
Is there a free unusual day out in Sussex?
Yes. Knepp Wildland at Dial Post has 16 miles of free footpaths, and Pooh Corner in Hartfield has a free mini museum, though you pay for food and gifts.