Photo: kallerna, CC BY-SA 4.0Things to do in Sussex for teenagers
Sussex suits teenagers who like a bit of atmosphere. This autumn there is a steam ghost train set around a mystery from 1926, a ghost tour of one of Brighton's most haunted houses made for 13 to 16 year olds, and a pumpkin field with live music after dark.
We have mixed thrill rides and evenings out with history that has some drama to it, and big outdoor spaces for those who would rather be on a beach or a hill. Minimum ages are noted where venues set them.
Several of the evening events are expected to sell out, so book early.
Thrills and evenings out
Rides, ghosts and fireworks.
Image: Brighton Palace PierBrighton Palace Pier
Brighton's classic pleasure pier, with a funfair at the far end, big arcades halfway along and fish and chips all the way. Even without the rides, the walk out over the sea is worth doing.
Why it's here: Helter Skelter, Crazy Mouse and Air Race rides at the far end and big arcades under cover halfway along. Ride hours are shorter on autumn and winter weekdays.
Image: Bluebell RailwayThe Ghost Train on the Bluebell Railway
A new immersive evening for 2026, set around a mystery from 1926, with actors on the platforms and ghosts on board the train to Horsted Keynes and back. Clues hidden round the station let you piece the story together.
Why it's here: A new immersive evening set around a mystery from 1926, with actors on the platforms and ghosts on board, from 22 October to 1 November. Rated PG.
Image: Brighton & Hove MuseumsHaunted Happenings: a ghost tour for young people
A daytime half-term ghost tour of Preston Manor designed for teenagers. It gives 13 to 16 year olds their own version of the manor's adult ghost evenings.
Why it's here: A daytime ghost tour for ages 13 to 16 on Friday 30 October, at £10, and over-13s can attend unaccompanied.
Image: Tulleys FarmTulleys Pumpkin Nights
The after-dark version of the Tulleys festival, with lit-up pumpkin fields, two live music stages and a bar. It works as a date night or a night out with friends as much as a family trip.
Why it's here: Lit-up pumpkin fields, two live music stages and a bar, from 15 October to 1 November, with a fireworks finale on one night.
Image: Ardingly FireworksArdingly Fireworks and Funfair Spectacular
Ardingly's showground hosts a big pyromusical fireworks night with a full funfair, street food and a DJ. A quieter early display suits small children, and the main show is choreographed to music by Illusion Fireworks. Rides cost £2 before 5pm.
Why it's here: A pyromusical display, a full funfair, street food and a DJ on Saturday 24 October, with the main show at 7.40pm.
History with some drama
Battlefields, forts and sieges.
Image: English Heritage1066 Battle of Hastings, Abbey and Battlefield
The place where the Battle of Hastings was fought in 1066, with the abbey William the Conqueror built on the spot where Harold is said to have fallen. Walk the battlefield with an audio tour, climb the gatehouse for views and finish at the playground by the café.
Why it's here: Walk the field where the Battle of Hastings was fought in 1066 and climb the gatehouse for rooftop views.
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 both world wars and The Lucky Escape escape room, open daily until 1 November.
Image: Arundel CastleCharacters from History at Arundel Castle
Arundel Castle brings the 12th century to life for two days of half-term, focusing on its first two sieges. Families can meet a crusader, knight and archer, watch the falconer and try archery.
Why it's here: Meet a crusader, a knight and an archer, watch the falconer and try have-a-go archery (over-8s) on 28 and 29 October, included in all castle tickets.
Big outdoors and art
Space to roam, and a gallery that is free for under-25s.
Image: Visit 1066 Country (Hastings Borough Council)Camber Sands
More than two miles of sandy beach near Rye. Winter is the time for long dog walks and kite flying, with the summer crowds long gone.
Why it's here: More than two miles of sand, with a water sports zone at Broomhill.
Image: West Wittering EstateWest Wittering Beach
A wide Blue Flag sandy beach at the mouth of Chichester Harbour, with the sand spit of East Head at one end and plenty of room to spread out. Out of season it is one of the best dog-walking beaches on the south coast.
Why it's here: A huge sandy beach at the mouth of Chichester Harbour, with the East Head sand spit to explore.
Image: National TrustDevil's Dyke
The longest, deepest and widest dry valley in Britain, cut into the South Downs just north of Brighton. Walk the Iron Age ramparts for the view Constable called the grandest in the world, then drop into the valley itself.
Why it's here: Britain's longest, deepest and widest dry valley, with Iron Age ramparts and the remains of a Victorian funfair.
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: Under-25s get free admission to exhibitions at this contemporary art gallery, which also has a cinema.
Questions people ask
What can teenagers do in Brighton?
Brighton Palace Pier has rides and arcades, and Preston Manor runs a daytime ghost tour for 13 to 16 year olds on 30 October 2026. Devil's Dyke, just north of the city, is good for a walk with big views.
Is the Bluebell Railway Ghost Train suitable for teenagers?
It is rated PG, and under-16s must be with a parent or guardian. It runs on evenings from 22 October to 1 November 2026 and is expected to sell out.
Are there water sports beaches in Sussex?
Camber Sands has a water sports zone at Broomhill, and West Wittering suits water sports too, with lifeguards only from mid May to mid September.