Places

Hastings largest park at 109 acres with a playground, miniature railway, café, and woodland walks. The lower park has formal gardens while upper areas offer tennis courts and nature trails.

Bewl Water is a large reservoir offering various activities like an adventure playground, water sports, and walking trails. Its indoor soft play area is for children aged 0–8, with features like slides, tunnels, and a separate baby area.

Public library with books, audiobooks, eLibrary resources and regular children's activities. Free membership gives access to borrowing and events, open Mon-Sat with varied hours.

Ore Library is a community-run library in Ore, East Sussex, offering a friendly space for reading, borrowing books, and local events.

The former family home of Rudyard Kipling, author of The Jungle Book and Just So Stories. A 17th-century Jacobean house in the Sussex countryside, now a National Trust property with historic rooms and literary displays.

Contemporary art galleries with free entry, performance spaces, cinema and café. Hosts exhibitions, live music, theatre and film screenings throughout the year, sea views from terrace.

Castle ruins with views over Hastings and 20-minute audio-visual show about the Norman Conquest. Built by William the Conqueror in 1066, open seasonally Easter to October.

Contemporary art gallery with changing exhibitions, includes restaurant and café with sea views. Under 18s go free, open Wed-Sun 11am-5pm.

Small independent museum dedicated to the fishing industry and maritime history of Hastings, housed in the former Fishermen's Church of St Nicholas built in 1854. Admission free, donations welcome.

Local museum with global collection, child-friendly spaces and free entry. Open Tues-Sat 10am-5pm, Sun 11am-4:30pm, closed Mondays.

Hands-on mechanical art studio and automata space where visitors can explore kinetic artworks and tinker with mechanisms.

Visitor and wildlife centre run by Sussex Wildlife Trust with exhibitions, nature information and views across Rye Harbour Nature Reserve. The centre also runs family-friendly events and activities throughout the year.

Hands-on science centre with interactive exhibits in historic telescope domes at the former Royal Greenwich Observatory. Weekend opening 10am-4pm, check website for weekday times.

Baby Latte is a family-friendly café with a dedicated play space so parents can relax while little ones explore. It offers plenty of highchairs, buggy space, changing facilities and a menu suitable for both adults and toddlers.

Café inside ESK Warehouse Hastings with a free children’s play area, serving drinks and light meals — a relaxed spot for parents while shopping.

Cosy Old Town coffee house filled with books, serving coffee, cakes and light food, with a small selection of toys for children.

Independent book-lined coffee house on Robertson Street serving coffee, cakes and light bites, with a small selection of toys for children.

Indoor family-friendly street food market in St Leonards-on-Sea with multiple independent food and drink vendors.

Soft-play café with role-play areas for young children, offering coffee, snacks and regular special events.

Indoor role-play café with mini shops and themed play areas. Daily play sessions, creative activities and birthday party bookings available.

Family-friendly café and deli in Alexandra Park serving coffee, cakes and light bites. Accessible and open year-round.

Sustainably built visitor centre and café at Hastings Country Park with park information, wildlife displays and indoor/outdoor seating. Open 9am-4pm daily, free entry.

Independent pub in Hastings Old Town serving modern British food, local beers and wines, and hosting regular family-friendly events.

Leisure centre with gym, fitness classes, soft play area, sports hall, swimming and café. Birthday party packages available. Ring ahead before coming to use soft play.

Leisure centre with swimming pools, gym, fitness classes, sports halls and café. Regular birthday party packages available, entry prices vary by activity.

Community venue with a sports hall hosting classes and youth activities.

Features classic seaside arcade games including popular Penny Falls to win tickets and prizes, crane grabbers to win soft toys, and a wide range of games perfect for a raindy day. Open every day all year round (except Christmas Day) until late. Level access throughout the venue. Free cash machines on site. Adjacent to public conveniences.

18-hole pirate-themed adventure golf course open 364 days a year. Suitable for ages 3+, tickets £9.25.

Aquarium with sharks, rays and tropical fish, interactive displays and feeding demonstrations throughout the day. Under 18s entry £15.65.

Miniature railway operating since 1948 running along the seafront from Rock-a-Nore to Marine Parade. Features steam and diesel locomotives, £3 per ride, open daily in school holidays and weekends May-Oct.

Journey through St Clements Caves exploring smuggling history. Entry £11.50, suitable for ages 4+.

Historic funicular railway from 1891 with original Victorian wooden carriages. Open Saturdays and Sundays 11am-4pm, £5.50 per ride, card payment only.

Indoor play centre close to Hastings Pier with free parking for customers.

Kids soft play centre in Hastings featuring multi-level play zones with circus-inspired fairground, beach area for tots and babies, and castle adventure zone.

Sussex-based SEND charity in Hastings offering respite sessions, holiday clubs and multi-sensory activities for children and young people with SEND and their parent carers. The venue includes a bookable sensory room and soft play area in a quiet residential setting.

Independent community cinema in Hastings Old Town showing a mix of alternative films, family-friendly screenings and special events. The venue offers refreshments, a hearing loop and regular autism-friendly relaxed screenings, but has no step-free access.

Play café and children’s play centre at Chestnut Meadow in Bexhill-on-Sea, offering play sessions for babies and young children.

Family-friendly historic garden offering Garden Explorers sessions for toddlers and carers, with seasonal outdoor activities such as seed planting, cooking, woodland walks, minibeast hunts and fires in the woods. Sessions run in all weathers, are based at Dixter Farm, and require advance booking.

Community arts and events venue hosting workshops, classes and family activities throughout the year.

Independent non-profit arts and community organisation hosting creative events and workshops.