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National Trust Sussex - a Guide for Families

A day out at a National Trust property or garden is great for many reasons, but one thing is for certain, they are consistently well set-up for families. All offer:

  • Ample parking

  • Good accessibility – smooth paths for wheelchairs, pushchairs and toddlers!

  • Large cafes – with bottle/baby food warming facilities

  • Excellent toilet facilities

What’s more, they are a great option for days when the weather isn’t up to much – providing easy, mud-free walking as well as places to seek refuge indoors during rain showers. 

However, with so many to choose from it can be difficult to know which are best-suited to your family. Since National Trust days out appeal to all ages, it’s not always easy to determine what they have for children, or whether you can take scooters, bikes, dogs etc.

So to save you time and effort, we have visited all the National Trust properties in Sussex and beyond. These are the ones that we recommend for families - read our guides to find out why!

Whilst NT properties/gardens are not free to visit, family membership (for 2 adults and up to 10 children/grandchildren; under 5’s go free) costs just £13.25 per month (£159 per year). That’s great value by anyone’s standards, and would make a fabulous gift!

As a Member you can also park for free at any National Trust managed countryside or coastal destination. There are quite a number of these listed on our site, which aside from parking charges, are otherwise free to enjoy. 

So if you’re looking for a hassle-free, fun day out with the family, you’ve come to the right place!  

*This is not an ad, we just love the National Trust!​

Chartwell, Free days out Kent, National Trust, Fun woodland walking trail with obstacles, Winston Churchill's house

Westerham, TN16 1PS

Chartwell

Chartwell is Winston Churchill's family home - we loved the woodland activity trail!

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Batemans, National Trust, East Sussex, Family day out, Rudyard Kipling

Nr. Heathfield, TN19

Batemans

Discover the beautiful 17th-century home of Rudyard Kipling, author of The Jungle Book.

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Standen, National Trust, West Sussex, East Sussex, Family day out

Nr. East Grinstead, RH19

Standen

Delightful Arts & Crafts family home, set in beautiful gardens. Famed for its colourful...

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Scotney Castle, National Trust, East Sussex, Kent, Child-friendly, Family adventure

Nr. Wadhurst, TN3

Scotney Castle

Stunning gardens, a fairytale castle and a Victorian country mansion to explore!

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Knole House and Park, Free days out Kent, National Trust, Deer Park, Palace, Indoor

Sevenoaks, TN13 1HX

Knole House & Park

A magnificent 15th century palace surrounded by an enormous deer park...

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Nymans, National Trust, East Sussex, West Sussex, family day out, William Morris

Nr. Haywards Heath, RH17

Nymans

Explore the stunning gardens, set around the romantic house and ruins...

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Sheffield Park, National Trust, East Sussex, West Sussex, Child-friendly, Family day out

Nr. Uckfield, TN22

Sheffield Park

Stunning at any time of year and truly exceptional in Autumn, when the vivid...

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Petworth House and Park, Free days out West Sussex, National Trust

Petworth GU28

Petworth House & Park

17th century Petworth House was built to rival the palaces of Europe and is filled...

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Bodiam Castle, National Trust, East Sussex, Kent, Child-friendly, Family adventure

Robertsbridge, TN32

Bodiam Castle

This corker of a medieval castle not only looks picture-perfect on the outside...

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Wakehurst, National Trust, Kew, West Sussex, Millennium seed bank, family day out

Nr. Haywards Heath, RH17

Wakehurst

There are over 500 acres to explore at Wakehurst botanic gardens, including...

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Uppark House, National Trust, West Sussex, family day out

Nr. Midhurst, GU31

Uppark House & Garden

Today, Uppark House stands proudly on a hill top surrounding by glorious gardens...

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Other notable NT-owned countryside sites:

Ditchling Beacon (on the outskirts of Brighton) - Blow away the cobwebs whilst admiring breathtaking 360 degree views from the second highest point in the South Downs National Park.

Petworth Deer Park - See hundreds of fallow deer (honestly) in this 700-acre historic country park (Petworth, West Sussex).

Crowlink - An outstanding combination of rolling hills and stunning clifftop views make this adventure in the South Downs National Park unmissable! Located between Eastbourne & Seaford, East Sussex.

Harting Down - Amazing views if you're prepared to climb a few hills! (Near Petersfield, West Sussex).

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