🌳Preston Park

Hove Lagoon is a family-friendly watersports and leisure destination located on the seafront in Hove. It features a large tidal lagoon where children can enjoy paddleboarding, kayaking, sailing, and windsurfing, with equipment hire available on site. There is also a dedicated paddling pool for younger kids. - The lagoon is surrounded by a sandy beach and grassed areas, perfect for picnics and sunbathing. - Adjacent to the lagoon is a modern playground with equipment suitable for toddlers and older children, including swings, slides, and climbing frames. - A beachfront café offers snacks, ice cream, and hot drinks, with outdoor seating overlooking the water. - Free entry, with pay-and-display parking nearby. Watersports equipment hire and lessons are available at additional cost. Practical tips: Arrive early to secure parking, especially in summer. Bring swimwear, towels, and sun protection. Lifeguards are on duty during peak season. Suitable for all ages, from toddlers in the paddling pool to teenagers trying watersports.

Hove Park is a large, well-maintained public park located in Hove, East Sussex. It features expansive green lawns, mature trees, a picturesque lake, and a variety of recreational facilities. The park is a popular destination for families, offering a large children's play area with equipment suitable for toddlers to older children, including swings, slides, and climbing frames. Facilities include tennis courts, a bowling green, a skate park, and a café serving refreshments. The park also hosts regular events and has plenty of space for picnics, ball games, and leisurely walks. There are public toilets on site. Practical tips: The park is free to enter and open daily from dawn to dusk. The café is usually open during daylight hours. Parking is available along the surrounding roads (pay and display). The park is easily accessible by bus from Brighton city centre.

A charming museum housed in the arches beneath Brighton Railway Station, dedicated to the history of toys and models. It boasts an extensive collection of vintage toys, model trains, dolls, teddy bears, and mechanical games, with a particular focus on railway models. Kids can enjoy a hands-on play area with train sets and blocks, while parents marvel at the detailed dioramas and rare exhibits. The museum is compact but packed with wonders, making it ideal for a short, engaging visit. Highlights include the Hornby Dublo model railway, a 1950s toy shop replica, and a display of cherished childhood classics from the Victorian era to the 1980s. The friendly staff often run the model trains for young visitors. - Interactive play zone for children under 8 - Step-free access (ground floor only, some tight corners) - Baby changing facilities available - Small shop selling vintage-style toys - Allow 1–2 hours for a family visit

Theatre Royal Brighton is a historic theatre in the heart of Brighton, dating back to 1807. It offers a varied programme including family-friendly shows, pantomimes, children's theatre, and musicals. Families can enjoy classic stories, live performances, and special events tailored for younger audiences. - Highlights: Pantomime season, family shows during school holidays, backstage tours (check availability). - Ages: Most shows welcome children aged 3+, with some specifically for under-5s. - Facilities: Accessible seating, booster seats available, babes-in-arms policy for under-18 months. - Practical tips: Book early for popular pantos; nearest car park at Church Street; plenty of nearby restaurants for pre-show meals.

Yellowave is Brighton’s premier beach sports centre, offering sand-based courts for volleyball, football, and other beach sports. Families can enjoy drop-in sessions, book courts, or join organised activities and junior camps. Equipment hire is available on-site, so you don’t need to bring anything. - Kids aged 5+ can participate in supervised sessions and holiday camps. - Facilities include a café with seating overlooking the beach, changing rooms, and showers. - Located directly on Brighton seafront with easy access to the pebble beach and promenade. - Ideal for active families; sessions last 1-2 hours and are great for all skill levels.

Komedia is a vibrant comedy and live entertainment venue in Brighton, hosting a mix of stand-up, theatre, music, and family-friendly shows. For families, it occasionally offers kids' comedy, storytelling, and interactive theatre performances suitable for children aged 5+. The venue has a bar and café, with wheelchair access and hearing loop facilities. Check the 'Kids & Family' section of their website for upcoming events. - Highlights: Family shows during school holidays, relaxed atmosphere, central location. - Ages: 5–12 for dedicated kids' shows; some all-ages events. - Facilities: Baby-changing, accessible toilets, buggy storage (limited). - Practical tips: Arrive early for best seats; shows sell out fast.

A classic Victorian natural history museum with stunning bird dioramas, dinosaur skeletons, and thousands of specimens. Kids can explore hands-on discovery drawers, follow a family trail, and see the giant ichthyosaur fossil. Free entry makes it a budget-friendly rainy-day outing. Facilities include baby-changing, a small shop, and nearby cafe at the park. - Highlights: Bird gallery with over 300 species, dinosaur fossils, butterfly collection, and taxidermy displays. - Activities: Family activity sheets, craft sessions on some weekends, and a 'touch table' with real bones and shells. - Ages: Best for 3-12 years, but younger toddlers can enjoy the visual displays. - Practical tips: Allow 1-2 hours. Free parking on nearby streets. The museum is on two floors with a lift. Accessible toilet available.

Brighton Museum & Art Gallery is a family-friendly museum located in the heart of Brighton, within the Royal Pavilion Gardens. It offers a diverse range of galleries including fashion, fine art, world cultures, and local history. Families particularly enjoy the interactive 'World Stories' gallery, where kids can dress up in costumes from around the world, and the 'Fashion and Style' gallery with colorful displays. There are also hands-on activities, trails, and a dedicated under-5s area called 'Sensory Box'. - Highlights: Dressing-up area, Discovery Areas, themed trails, temporary exhibitions. - Facilities: Baby-changing, buggy parking, café, shop, accessible toilets. - Practical tips: Entry is free (donations welcome); some special exhibitions may have a small charge. The museum is open daily 10am-5pm. It's a perfect rainy-day destination as it's entirely indoor. Nearby attractions include the Royal Pavilion, Brighton Beach, and the Sea Life Centre.

Brighton Dome is a historic performing arts venue in the heart of Brighton, comprising the Concert Hall, Corn Exchange, and Studio Theatre. It offers a diverse programme of family-friendly shows, including theatre, dance, music, and children's performances. Highlights include interactive workshops, storytelling sessions, and sensory-friendly events designed for younger audiences. The venue is accessible with baby-changing facilities, step-free access, and a café. Practical tip: check the 'Families' section on their website for age recommendations and early booking discounts. Recommended for ages 2-12 for most family shows, though some events cater to teens and adults.

A popular public park in Brighton, The Level offers a large playground with modern equipment, a skate park, and extensive green spaces perfect for picnics and games. Families love the splash pad in summer and the friendly cafe for refreshments. The park also features a bowling green and tennis courts. - Highlights: playground, skate park, splash pad (seasonal), cafe, open lawns. - Ages: all children, toddlers to teens. - Facilities: public toilets, benches, nearby parking. - Practical tip: great for a sunny day; arrive early for parking on weekends.