Arundel is a hilltop town below its castle on the River Arun, with the WWT Arundel Wetland Centre, Amberley Museum and the South Downs all close by.
Image: Arundel CastleA vast castle above the River Arun, home of the Dukes of Norfolk for nearly a thousand years, with a Norman keep, state rooms and celebrated formal gardens. Go before the season closes on 1 November, then return in spring.
Image: WWT Arundel Wetland CentreBoardwalks 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: Out of BoundsAn indoor and outdoor activity centre near Angmering with something for every age, from soft play and Clip 'n Climb walls to ten pin bowling and laser tag. Outside there is adventure golf, high ropes, adventure nets and jumping pillows, and a café serves hot and cold food all day.
The town museum in Littlehampton's 18th-century Manor House, with displays on local history. A free indoor stop close to the High Street.
Image: Amberley MuseumAmberley Museum is a family attraction near Arundel in West Sussex, with plenty to explore both indoors and outdoors. It suits a long family visit, and its 2026 season ends on 1 November, so the October half term is the last chance this year.
Image: Harbour ParkHarbour 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.
Photo: Dave Spicer, CC BY-SA 2.0A 3,500-acre estate of woodland, farmland and downland around an unspoilt village between Arundel and Chichester. More than 25 miles of paths cross it, taking in a stretch of the Roman Stane Street, the bank of a medieval deer park and Bronze Age barrows on Bignor Hill. Spring woodland flowers and autumn colour in Park Wood are the seasonal highlights.
Photo: Paul Gillett, CC BY-SA 2.0A Green Flag park just back from Littlehampton's seafront, next to the Littlehampton Wave leisure centre. It has a large boating lake, a children's play area, colourful flower beds and original Art Deco shelters.
Image: Bignor Roman VillaBignor 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.
Photo: AndyScott, CC BY-SA 4.0One of the finest Elizabethan houses in the country, begun in 1577 at the foot of the South Downs and still a much-loved family home. Inside are historic paintings, furniture, textiles and clocks, while outside there are pleasure grounds with a maze and a four-acre walled garden.
Image: Aldingbourne Country CentreA 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.
Photo: Steve Daniels, CC BY-SA 2.0Arundel's festive evening brings Victorian performers, live music and street entertainment to the historic town. A lantern procession leads to the Christmas lights switch-on, followed by carols around the tree.
Image: Arundel CastleArundel 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.
Image: Arundel CastleOver the Autumn half term, the History Man at Arundel Castle and Gardens appears in character, either based in a particular location or leading tours. The activity is included with a Castle and Gardens ticket. It suits families visiting the castle during the October half term.
Image: WWT Arundel Wetland CentreWWT Arundel swaps frights for fungi and fairy rings this half-term, with a free logbook to guide families round the wetlands. A wizard's potions class and boat safaris add a bit of magic.
Image: WWT Arundel Wetland CentreA beginner-friendly birdwatching walk on Sunday 2 November 2026 at WWT Arundel Wetland Centre in Arundel. Adults new to bird watching can learn how to spot and identify common species. Booking is recommended, and times are listed on the event page.
Image: WWT Arundel Wetland CentreA guided evening watch at WWT Arundel Wetland Centre on 4 November 2026, where visitors can see pied wagtails, egrets and marsh harriers arrive to roost. Times are listed on the event page. It suits families and anyone interested in birdlife, and booking is recommended.
Image: WWT Arundel Wetland CentreOptics Day at WWT Arundel Wetland Centre on Saturday 7 November 2026, from 11am to 3pm. Visitors can try out binoculars and scopes to find a model suited to birding and wildlife watching. It suits nature lovers of any experience level, and booking is recommended.
Image: St Nicholas' ChurchShepherds Arise! perform a carol concert at St Nicholas' Church in Arundel on Sunday 13 December 2026, starting at 2.30pm. The programme includes Blow ye the Trumpet and other carols, and the concert is open to everyone. Booking is recommended.
A children's light party takes place at the Wickbourne Centre in Littlehampton on 31 October 2026, from 17:00 to 18:30. It is aimed at families and toddlers, with booking recommended. The organiser's events page has further details.
Image: Arundel CastleA vast castle above the River Arun, home of the Dukes of Norfolk for nearly a thousand years, with a Norman keep, state rooms and celebrated formal gardens. Go before the season closes on 1 November, then return in spring.
Image: Out of BoundsAn indoor and outdoor activity centre near Angmering with something for every age, from soft play and Clip 'n Climb walls to ten pin bowling and laser tag. Outside there is adventure golf, high ropes, adventure nets and jumping pillows, and a café serves hot and cold food all day.
The town museum in Littlehampton's 18th-century Manor House, with displays on local history. A free indoor stop close to the High Street.
Image: Amberley MuseumAmberley Museum is a family attraction near Arundel in West Sussex, with plenty to explore both indoors and outdoors. It suits a long family visit, and its 2026 season ends on 1 November, so the October half term is the last chance this year.
Image: Harbour ParkHarbour 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.
Image: Bignor Roman VillaBignor 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.
The town museum in Littlehampton's 18th-century Manor House, with displays on local history. A free indoor stop close to the High Street.
Photo: Dave Spicer, CC BY-SA 2.0A 3,500-acre estate of woodland, farmland and downland around an unspoilt village between Arundel and Chichester. More than 25 miles of paths cross it, taking in a stretch of the Roman Stane Street, the bank of a medieval deer park and Bronze Age barrows on Bignor Hill. Spring woodland flowers and autumn colour in Park Wood are the seasonal highlights.
Photo: Paul Gillett, CC BY-SA 2.0A Green Flag park just back from Littlehampton's seafront, next to the Littlehampton Wave leisure centre. It has a large boating lake, a children's play area, colourful flower beds and original Art Deco shelters.
Photo: Phillip Capper from Wellington, New Zealand, CC BY 2.0An RSPB wetland reserve in the Arun Valley with views across to the South Downs. Trails lead through wet meadows and wooded heathland to hides, and wildlife that includes lapwings, nightjars and glow-worms.
Image: National TrustA grand 17th-century house holding one of the National Trust's finest art collections, including Turner, Van Dyck and Gainsborough. Outside, a 700-acre deer park by 'Capability' Brown gives big South Downs views and room for a long walk.
