Brighton and surrounding area with kids

[ChoccyJules]

We have just booked a few nights staying near Brighton, quite near Southwick beach which seems quiet and has a cafe.

DH and I did Brighton before kids and I am wondering which bits to repeat or not (ie will they find the Pavillion as interesting as we did?). Kids are 9 and 12.

I have seen a glow in the dark crazy golf, there’s the pier (expensive rides tho) and shopping (but littlest won’t do that for long). Is Lewes castle worth a trip?

Any recommendations, tips for eating and getting around welcome (think we will go by car but train is an option).

britishairwaysi360.com/plan-your-visit/tickets/
i360 viewing tower would be suitable at those ages I think.

bills-website.co.uk/restaurants/brighton
Seems to have gone more upmarket but we always used to eat here as a family when visiting Brighton.

www.the-observatory.org/

www.nationaltrust.org.uk/sheffield-park-and-garden

We also used to like this Italian restaurant in Shoreham:www.briorestaurant.co.uk/

You can get the little train along the seafront and then towards the end there’s (what I believe to be) the best crazy golf course. If your little ones can manage it, it’s nice to walk along, play crazy golf and then get the train back. Or if you want to go further right along to the marina that’s where the glow in the dark one is.

There’s some fabulous places to eat. We love The New Club which is right in front of the i360 which I also really recommend if you’re there on a clear day.

Afternoon Tea at the Grand would be fun for you: www.grandbrighton.co.uk/dining-and-lounge/afternoon-tea

There’s a long zip wire by Brighton pier on the beach, saltdean lido, out of bounds in durrington, pyo up there too, could try stand up paddle boarding at hove lagoon

Lots of stuff to work through here, thanks!

@FizzyPink which way would we get the train for crazy golf, is it going towards the marina or left towards Hove?

Not sure The Grand would want my two in among the swanky folk!

Going towards the marina. We walked down to the crazy golf, then carried on to the marina and then came back on the train. I believe it’s called Volks Electric Railway

Buy a wristband for unlimited rides on the pier - you'll need to get it in advance, I think - details on website

The cafe on the beach in lancing.
Volkswagen railway as pp said.
Hove lagoon splash park.
Play area & paddling pool by the i360.
Modelo lounge in hove for child friendly brunch.
Glow balls at the marina for rainy days.
Devils dyke.

Volks

My young nephew used to love Lewes castle

There's also the aquarium (Sea Life centre) of course, great for a rainy day. Get vouchers from Kelloggs packets for cheaper tickets, if they're still on them.

Parking is really expensive in Brighton. I would seriously think about catching the train in and out.

Brighton Museum is a good option if it is raining. It is a great mix of exhibits, so there is a fighting chance that the children will find something of interest. DD's favourite activity in Brighton is playing the shove-2p machines on the pier (entry is free and there are loos in the arcade too). I usually exchange £1-£2 and it would keep her amused for best part of an hour.

It might not look like it from a map, but you can get across the locks at Shoreham harbour. Apologies as I've not been there for years, but the nicer beach used to be over on the Shoreham side. Park at the Fort, Beach Green or at the Widewater Lagoon carpark.

If the kids have never tried SUP or windsurfing etc, Hove Lagoon might be of interest. It used to be used for model boats in my day, so I have no idea how good the tuition is: www.lagoon.co.uk/kids-watersports/

Further afield?

The older child might be a bit too old for it, but I expect the youngest would like Drusillas Zoo and Park:
www.drusillas.co.uk/

If you are fans of The Repair Shop, you should build in a trip to the Weald and Downland Living Museum at Singleton
www.wealddown.co.uk/

Paradise Park, at Newhaven, is lovely for little ones, their planet earth exhibition is great, inexpensive day out, big garden centre attached.

Arundel castle- you need to pre book 😊

Am going to need a spreadsheet soon thanks for the suggestions!

I think we will get the train in and out looking at the map.

Susan Calman did an episode of her beach series about Brighton and I saw the upside down house, has anyone been there?

Yes I’ve been. It’s ok- basically for taking selfies inside. It’s not all that fun, but it’s on the beach & near the i360 play area (splash pool) which is lovely x

Walk round the North Lanes
Fish and chips on the beach
Glow in the dark crazy golf at the Marina
Lunch at one of the Marina restaurants overlooking the boats
Go up the i360
Walk along the houseboats at Shoreham Beach
Pick your own fruit at at Roundstone near Littlehampton
Walk around Devils Dyke and have an ice cream up the top. Beautiful views.

I found a YouTube vlog which said you can pay piecemeal for pier rides instead of getting a wristband, is this correct? We are likely to just want the log flume!

@ChoccyJules

Yes - if you only want a few rides then you can buy a card on the pier and top it up with as much money as you need. I went last week. Most rides are between 4-5 pounds.

Crazy golf as mentioned before, next door is the beach volleyball which is on the Susan Calman programme. Even if you don't want to play, there is a lovely cafe which does bacon sandwiches etc and my kids tend to chose it to eat. You get to see the volleyball which can be fun.
Zip wire is about 300m long - the longest on south coast. Found it better to book it before as if a nice day the queue can build.
Upside house next on our list.

Thanks to everyone who suggested stuff to do on here.

We had a great time in Brighton. Highlights were shopping in North Laine, Glowballs crazy golf, making good use of the four hour free parking at the Marina, Hove lagoon and playground area.