Photo: Sdcjeff, CC BY-SA 4.0Horsham is a market town in the Low Weald, close to gardens such as Nymans and Leonardslee and to farm attractions popular with families.
Image: Huxley's Birds of Prey Centre and GardenA 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: Leonardslee Lakes and GardensA 240-acre Grade I listed woodland garden set around a chain of seven lakes in a steep valley. Free-roaming wallabies, a sculpture park and a dolls' house museum give children plenty to find as they explore.
Image: National TrustA romantic garden wrapped around a house that is part home and part dramatic ruin. Rare plant collections fill the garden, and beyond it ancient woodland leads down to a lake and cascades.
Image: High Beeches Woodland & Water GardenA 27 acre woodland and water garden near Handcross in the High Weald, with a collection of rare, exotic and award-winning plants from many parts of the world. Paths wind through glades, meadow and water gardens, with bluebells in spring and spectacular colour in autumn.
Image: Go ApeHigh ropes, zip wires and treetop crossings in the woods of Tilgate Park, just off the M23 at Crawley. Older children and adults take on the Treetop Challenge, while younger ones can try the lower Treetop Adventure course.
Crawley's Green Flag park, with lakes, lawns, woodland bridleways and a walled garden, at its most colourful when the rhododendrons bloom in spring. Within the park are Tilgate Zoo, Go Ape, watersports on the lake, a free maze and lakeside cafés, so it easily fills a day.
Image: Wings Aviation MuseumA 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.
Image: Leonardslee Wine EstateLeonardslee's wine estate stages fireworks over two nights around Bonfire Night, with live music from The Violet Jive and local street food. General admission covers the display and music, and you can add a glass of Leonardslee sparkling wine. The VIP option adds canapés, a two-course dinner in The Vineyard Kitchen and hot chocolate during the show.
Image: Leonardslee Lakes and GardensA winter light trail through Leonardslee's Grade I listed woodland gardens, taking 60 to 90 minutes on foot. Afterwards, Leonardslee Village serves mulled wine, doughnuts and local food until 10pm, with fire pits for toasting marshmallows.
Image: The Hawth (Parkwood Theatres)The Hawth's 2026 family pantomime is Aladdin, with the magic lamp, the flying carpet and plenty of audience shouting. It runs through December with a relaxed and a signed performance.
Image: National TrustA romantic garden wrapped around a house that is part home and part dramatic ruin. Rare plant collections fill the garden, and beyond it ancient woodland leads down to a lake and cascades.
Image: Wings Aviation MuseumA 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.
Crawley's Green Flag park, with lakes, lawns, woodland bridleways and a walled garden, at its most colourful when the rhododendrons bloom in spring. Within the park are Tilgate Zoo, Go Ape, watersports on the lake, a free maze and lakeside cafés, so it easily fills a day.