Photo: Qmin, CC BY-SA 3.0Rainy day ideas in Sussex
Sussex weather has a habit of rolling in off the Channel without much warning. The good news is that some of the county's most memorable visits are indoors anyway, from George IV's seaside palace in Brighton to the Roman mosaics at Bignor, which sit under historic cover buildings.
We have mixed calm, grown-up visits with the farm parks and seaside play centres that have proper indoor space for children, and added a few autumn and Christmas events that run under a roof.
A word of warning: Bignor Roman Villa and Newhaven Fort both close for the season at the turn of the month, so October's wet weekends are the last chance until spring.
Historic interiors and museums
Weatherproof visits of an hour or two, several of them in Brighton, Lewes and Chichester town centres.
Image: Brighton & Hove MuseumsRoyal Pavilion
George IV's seaside palace, Indian-style domes outside and lavish Chinese-inspired interiors inside. It is Brighton's best wet-weather visit, a short walk from the pier and the Lanes.
Why it's here: George IV's seaside palace, with its dragon chandelier and Great Kitchen, a short walk from the pier and the Lanes. Families of at least one adult and two children get one child ticket free.
Image: Towner EastbourneTowner Eastbourne
Eastbourne's contemporary art gallery, with changing exhibitions, a cinema and free family activities. It is an easy rainy-day stop close to the seafront.
Why it's here: Free contemporary art, a cinema and free family activities at weekends and in school holidays, close to the seafront.
Image: Sussex Archaeological Society (Sussex Past)Lewes Castle and Museum
A Norman castle built after the Battle of Hastings, with steep steps up to the keep and panoramic views across Lewes and the Sussex countryside. The museum covers prehistoric to medieval Sussex, which makes it a handy rainy-day add-on.
Why it's here: A Norman keep with views across Lewes, plus a museum of prehistoric to medieval Sussex that makes a handy rainy-day add-on.
Image: Bignor Roman VillaBignor Roman Villa
Bignor Roman Villa preserves the remains of a Roman home with world-class mosaic floors, deep in the South Downs National Park. The mosaics, including a striking head of Medusa, are protected under historic cover buildings, and finds include the Bignor gold ring. A tearoom makes it an easy stop on a Downs day out.
Why it's here: World-class mosaic floors, including a head of Medusa, protected under historic cover buildings. Open every day of half term, with the season ending on 31 October.
Image: Newhaven FortNewhaven Fort
Newhaven Fort is East Sussex's largest fort, on the coast between Brighton and Eastbourne. Exhibitions cover Sussex history and both world wars, there is an interactive timeline and an immersive escape room, and children can let off steam in the adventure playground. A café and gift shop round off the visit.
Why it's here: Exhibitions on Sussex history and both world wars, an interactive timeline and an escape room, open daily until 1 November.
Image: Brighton & Hove MuseumsPreston Manor and Gardens
Preston Manor was the home of the Stanford family and brings the upstairs and downstairs life of Edwardian society to life. It stands with its gardens on the edge of Preston Park, one of Brighton's most popular parks. It is run by Brighton and Hove Museums and hosts atmospheric ghost events in the autumn.
Why it's here: Edwardian upstairs and downstairs rooms in the Stanford family's home, on the edge of Preston Park.
Image: Chichester CathedralChichester Cathedral
A 900-year-old cathedral in the centre of Chichester, free to enter by donation and welcoming to dogs. Look out for the John Piper tapestry, and the peregrine falcons that nest on the spire.
Why it's here: A 900-year-old cathedral with the John Piper tapestry and free drop-in guided tours at 11.30am and 2.30pm most days. Entry is by donation.
Indoor play for children
Places with enough under cover to rescue a wet day.
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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.
Why it's here: Indoor soft play is included in the ticket, and the indoor picnic barn is open all year.
Image: Harbour ParkHarbour Park
Harbour Park is a seaside family amusement park on Littlehampton's beach, with more than 15 attractions. Outdoor rides and arcades sit alongside indoor soft play, a pirate-themed escape room and Toddler Town, a set of role-play rooms with a supermarket, vet and building site. It covers both sunny and wet days on the coast.
Why it's here: Indoor soft play, Toddler Town role-play rooms and a pirate-themed escape room, right beside Littlehampton beach.
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.
Why it's here: A small zoo, an owl display arena and indoor and outdoor play, open 361 days a year.
Image: Paradise Park and GardensParadise Park and Gardens
Paradise Park in Newhaven pairs formal and informal gardens, with small lakes, waterfalls and fountains, with indoor planthouses and the Planet Earth Museum. Children can follow the Dinosaur Safari and use the Playzone, and there is a restaurant and coffee shop. A Halloween trail runs through October.
Why it's here: Indoor planthouses and the Planet Earth Museum alongside the Dinosaur Safari and Playzone.
Indoor events this season
Fixed dates, so book ahead.
Image: chichestercathedral.org.ukChichester Light Experience: Illuminating Art
Luxmuralis, the artist Peter Walker and composer David Harper, turn Chichester Cathedral into a canvas of light and sound for the annual Light Experience. This year's theme, Illuminating Art, projects four centuries of art onto the architecture, from the Baroque and the Impressionists to early photography, steam and animation, before a finale in the nave. Walk round at your own pace.
Why it's here: Four centuries of art projected onto Chichester Cathedral's architecture on evenings from 23 to 31 October. A family ticket for two adults and two children is £36.
Image: Bluebell RailwayHalloween fun on the Bluebell Railway
Felix the Wizard joins the Bluebell Railway for half-term, with Halloween crafts on board and a bingo carriage with magic tricks. Children travel for £1 with a paying adult, so it is a good-value steam day out.
Why it's here: Halloween crafts on board and a bingo carriage with magic tricks from 28 October to 1 November, with children travelling for £1 with a paying adult.
Image: Chichester Festival TheatreHey! Christmas Tree
A gentle, funny festive story created by Michael Morpurgo, made as a first Christmas theatre trip for 3 to 7 year olds. It lasts about an hour in the intimate Minerva Theatre.
Why it's here: A gentle, hour-long festive story by Michael Morpurgo for ages 3 to 7 in the Minerva Theatre, from 5 December, with tickets from £10.
Questions people ask
What can you do in Brighton when it rains?
The Royal Pavilion is Brighton's classic wet-weather visit, and Brighton Palace Pier has big arcades under cover a short walk away. Preston Manor is another indoor option on the edge of Preston Park.
Are there free indoor attractions in Sussex?
Towner Eastbourne's gallery is free to enter, and Chichester Cathedral is entry by donation, with £7 per visitor suggested.
Which Sussex farm parks have indoor play?
Fishers Farm Park includes indoor soft play in the ticket and has an indoor picnic barn, and Knockhatch and Harbour Park both have indoor play areas.