School’s out and apparently so is the sun. Time to get out while it lasts. If you are struggling to come up with cheap days out and about in the Brighton area, we have hopefully got you covered. Here are a few family-friendly trips that will at least spark some new ideas, and save a penny.
Local Museums
Interested in animals and fossils? The Booth Museum of Natural History is right on your doorstep. The free museum displays ‘an A to Z of the natural world’, and is currently exhibiting entries of the 2019 Sussex Wildlife Trust photographic competition.
If you fancy a full museum day out, head down to Brighton Fishing Museum. Located on Brighton’s historic seafront, the Brighton Fishing Museum follows the city’s fishing industry and beach leisure trade. Admission is free, and if you happen to be tracing your own Brightonian family history, archive viewings are available on appointment. Perfectly followed by an evening on the beach.
Brighton Seafront
Brighton seafront never fails to be a family favourite. The seafront is the perfect spot for a walk or bike ride out to the historic Brighton bandstand or Hove’s multicoloured beach huts. If you are heading along the promenade, make sure to stop by the paddling pool opposite the old West Pier, which is open to families until early September and is free of charge. Complete with volleyball and basketball courts, there is definitely something to please everyone.
Local Swimming Pools
Fancy a dip in the pool instead of the sea? There are a number of fantastic swimming pools across Brighton, all of which are a great idea for a family trip out. This includes St. Luke’s Swimming Pool, located inside a Grade 2 listed Victorian building. Tickets are reasonably priced and, at King Alfred Leisure Centre, Prince Regent Swimming Complex and St. Luke’s Swimming Pool, under 16s can swim for free during Brighton & Hove state school holidays.
Preston Park Rockery
First landscaped in 1935, Preston Park rockery is the largest municipal rock garden in the UK. The Rockery was also named England’s best park in 2016, after being shortlisted for the UK’s best park. A complex network of winding paths, stepping stones and running streams will lead you through the rockery. The park is managed weekly, and features a wildlife area where visitors can now watch the rockery’s many insects and birds. Plenty for the whole family to explore.
Active for Life Project
The Active for Life project was launched by the Brighton & Hove City Council back in 2005, encouraging residents to lead more active lifestyles. The project includes a number of free and cheap activities over the course of the summer holiday. These include scheduled family friendly ‘Healthwalks’ in Preston Park, the Seafront, Hove Park and the historic Undercliff to Ovingdean Gap.
The programme offers a wide range of other activities across the summer months, aiming to be as diverse and accessible as possible. For more details about the walks and the Active for Life project, check out the ‘Active for Life Summer 2019 Programme’ on the Brighton & Hove City Council website.
