To ask for info re Brighton/Worthing/Shoreham for a day trip today

[Triffid1]

Sorry, posting here for traffic! Me and Dc had to cancel our trip to the seaside so are planning a short day trip today. None of us are looking for anything fancy - we'd like to paddle a bit in the sea, walk along the beach, get ice creams and/or fish and chips, perhaps wander through a market or go on a carousel. Travelwise, Brighton etc is easiest from where we are in Surrey. We'd only leave at lunch time so we're looking at an afternoon out.

I thought Worthing looked like a good option with a pier, a beach etc, but not sure if we should rather go to Brighton on basis that there's more "vibe", DD will probably get a carousel ride or similar.

Locals - please advise?

Brighton has all of that, if you park at the Marina multi-storey it's free parking for 4 hours. About a 20min walk to the pier etc.

There's a kids Party In The Park at Buckingham Park in Shoreham today (was meant to be going but double booked) - it's not ticketed.

I don't think Worthing has a carousel, further along the coast is Littlehampton, which has rides IIRC.

Enjoy

There's nothing in Shoreham, Brighton has a LOT more going on than Worthing but will be super busy. If you're not worried by the crowds or high parking costs Brighton is your place

Thanks. I'm thinking Brighton after all. I was worried about it being manically busy but how bad can it be!?

Worthing has all you want except the carousel, it does have a fairly decent playground for primary age off the sea front (if that would appeal, not sure how old your kids are).

Brighton has it all, lots of rides on the pier and a carousel on the seafront. It's much busier and louder than Worthing, and quite expensive. The main problem I think you might have is you will struggle to do it in an afternoon - you could easily spend that time on just the pier - which might feel a bit unsatisfactory. For the amount of time you have I'd be tempted to go to Worthing as you only really need a day to see it, Brighton you could save for a weekend away.

Worthing also has a small crazy golf

Brighton is lovely! Go have a wander in the lanes while you're there.

What do you actually want advice on?

Worthing has the lido with little rides on the seafront. I've lived in Brighton as well as Worthing and Brighton will be very busy, although to be honest the traffic around both is horrendous at the best of times!

Why don't you go on the train instead of driving? Then you don't have to worry about parking (which is awful in Brighton)

(Sorry - I just assumed you were driving, but I see there's nothing about that in your OP!)

Brighton - everything you want and more, but insanely busy at this time of year. Horrific really.
Shoreham - quiet because there's nothing there.
Worthing - like Brighton but less so. Smaller but quieter. Wednesday is market day in the main shopping street though it's a pretty average market.

On a busy day in Worthing, there’ll be a handful of families on each section of beach. On a busy day in Brighton, you can barely see the shingle between the people.
Brighton does have loads of extra attractions, but for a seaside day trip with young children, I’d pick Worthing every time.

Oooh, I'm back to leaning towards Worthing!

We are driving - I'm not willing to spend the fortune on train tickets and from where we are we'd have to do changes etc which is not v fun.

Brighton has all the attractions you want but will be heaving.
Shoreham has a beautiful beach and there will be ice cream, fish and chips, playgrounds but no carousel or rides. There is a kids festival on today though.
Worthing has a pier but not much on it, a nice beach front playground though by splash point leisure centre, and a little splash park depending how old dc are.
I think looking at what your dc want and for the ‘vibe’ I’d go Brighton.

Yeah I'd pick Worthing, especially if you're only going for an afternoon. You can park along the seafront on the road for a few quid too, or its free if you go far enough along then walk down to the town and pier.

Actually I missed you were just going for the afternoon. In that case I’d go to Worthing! Parking will be a nightmare in Brighton and will take up a lot of time etc.

Thank you all. DC are excited. Basically, it's just fun to have a little day trip as our few days on the coast were cancelled after the friend we were staying with had to cancel us as her teenage DS tested positive. It was too late to organise paid accommodation (and we couldn't afford it anyway) so we're going to visit them later in the year. But the DC and I agreed that a day trip somewhere closer would be fun.

Where did you go @Triffid1? And did you have a good day?

We went to Worthing and it was amazing. We had such a lovely day and the beach was lovely. We are definitely going to go again - although we also want to try Lancing as we drove through it and it looked great.

Great news OP. Lancing on the seafront has a nice green space and cafe, not much in the village itself though. Glad you had a nice time!