Top Cities Near Brighton for a Family Day Trip or Weekend Getaway with the Kids

In recent years, we have loved going on weekend breaks as a family in and around the Brighton location. If you have been, you’ll know how lucky you are to have the beach, quirky lanes, and plenty to do. But sometimes, you need a change of scene—somewhere within a specified radius of Brighton in the South East that offers fun for the whole family (and ideally, won’t leave you with a hefty bill).

So whether you’re after a day trip, a last-minute weekend getaway, or just ideas for the school holidays, here’s a roundup of the closer places, small towns, and cities near Brighton that we’ve tried and tested with the kids. Some are under an hour’s commute and perfect for when you need to escape—but not too far. Think seaside fun, castles, and steam trains.

Quick insight: These places are all within an easy drive of Brighton, United Kingdom, using drive time estimates and straight-line distances as a guide. We’ve popped in addresses, websites, and top tips for each spot – plus, I’ve added some personal bits from our own days out, too. Because let’s be honest, when travelling with kids, preparation is everything, and knowing your total area of places to visit, whether rain or shine, is key!

We have found travelling by train has always been easy. We buy the yearly family and friends railcard, which seriously lowers the price of travel for the weekend and reduces stress, as there is no stopping for toilet breaks—it comes with you!

Here is our list of nearby Brighton locations worth visiting for a family break.

📍1. Worthing – For a Laid-Back Seaside Day Out

Estimated population: 111,000

✅ Top 6 Things to Do in Worthing:

1. Brooklands Park – Huge play area, zip lines and lake
   📍 Western Rd, BN15 8SA | Website
   Top tip: Take scooters—the paths are smooth and long.
2. Worthing Pier – Amusements, arcade games and fresh doughnuts
   📍 Marine Parade, BN11 3PX | Website
   Top tip: Try the retro arcade section—a big hit with our two!
3. Highdown Gardens – Beautiful and free!
   📍Littlehampton Rd, BN12 6FB | Website
   Top tip: Ideal for a post-lunch wander (buggy-friendly paths too).
4. Worthing Museum & Art Gallery – Free entry
   📍Chapel Rd, BN11 1HP | Website
5. The Lido – Seasonal open-air fun
   📍Marine Parade, BN11 3PX | Website
6. Hungry Horse Pub – Family-friendly meals and you can often find deals on in the week making it even cheaper.
   📍Various locations | Website

📍2. Lewes – Perfect for History & Independent Shops

Estimated population: 17,000

Distance from Brighton: 9 miles / ~20 mins by car

Best for: A bit of culture, castle climbs, and riverside walks

Lewes might be small in population number, but it’s packed with charm. Ideal if you’ve got a defined age group, like tweens who love a little history or parents wanting a pint in a Greene King pub post-walk.

✅ Top 6 Things to Do in Lewes:

1. Lewes Castle – Kids can climb the towers
   📍169 High St, BN7 1YE | Website
2. Depot Cinema – Fab family screenings
   📍Pinwell Rd, BN7 2JS | Website
3. Pells Pool – Oldest freshwater lido in the UK
   📍Brook Street, BN7 2BA | Website
4. Riverside Walks – Bring your wellies!
5. Anne of Cleves House – Tudor time travel!
   📍52 Southover High St, BN7 1JA | Website
6. St Patrick’s Day Celebrations – Lewes loves a local event
   📍Check local listings in March

Top tip: Park at the top of the hill and walk down—it’s easier on little legs, although you have to get back up at the end of the day!

📍3. Eastbourne – For Classic Seaside Fun

Estimated population: 103,000

Distance from Brighton: 23 miles / ~45 mins by car

Best for: Big beach days and lots of family attractions

This one ticks all the boxes for a traditional UK vacation spot. It’s got pier games, mini trains, and a beach perfect for sandcastle building (at low tide). Expect a slightly older crowd – Eastbourne’s demographics lean older, but it’s brilliant for families.

✅ Top 6 Things to Do in Eastbourne:

1. Treasure Island Adventure Park
   📍Royal Parade, BN22 7LQ | Website
2. Miniature Steam Railway
   📍Lottbridge Drove, BN23 6QJ | Website
3. Eastbourne Pier
   📍Grand Parade, BN21 3EL | Website
4. Beach Walks and Rock Pooling
5. Fort Fun Soft Play
   📍Royal Parade, BN22 7LU | Website

Top tip: This is great for an affordable day—entry fees are low, and parking isn’t bad either.

📍4. Chichester – Ideal for Culture & Countryside

Estimated population: 27,000

Distance from Brighton: 35 miles / ~1 hr

Best for: Exploring Roman history and peaceful parks

This one’s fab if you love useful data and custom maps of the past—Chichester is Roman through and through. It’s calmer than a full-on resort town but still has tons to do. It is one of our preferred locations for something educational but fun.

✅ Top 6 Things to Do in Chichester:

1. South Downs Planetarium
   📍Kingsham Rd, PO19 8AE | Website
2. Fishbourne Roman Palace
   📍Roman Way, PO19 3QR | Website
3. Priory Park – Great open space and play area
4. Pallant House Gallery – family-friendly Art
   📍9 North Pallant, PO19 1TJ | Website
5. **Check out any St Patrick’s Day events if you visit in March!

Top tip: Pair your visit with a National Trust stop nearby for bonus adventures.

📍5. Hastings – For Pirates, Castles & Quirky Fun

Estimated population: 92,000

Distance from Brighton: 37 miles / ~1 hr 10 mins

Best for: Kids who love action and adventure

One of the more distinct points near Brighton. Our two LOVED the Smugglers Adventure—it’s hands-on, a little spooky, and very memorable. Bonus: There’s loads of ice cream and chips nearby.

✅ Top 6 Things to Do in Hastings:

1. Smugglers Adventure
   📍St Clement’s Caves, TN34 3HY | Website
2. Blue Reef Aquarium
   📍Rock-A-Nore Rd, TN34 3DW | Website
3. Hastings Castle
   📍Castle Hill Rd, TN34 3RD | Website
4. Seafront arcades & rides
5. Mini golf madness
6. Fish and chips at the pier (obviously!)

Top tip: Wear layers – it’s windy by the castle, even in summer.

��6. Portsmouth – Packed with Museums & Maritime Magic

Estimated population: 214,000

Distance from Brighton: 50 miles / ~1 hr 15 mins

Best for: Rainy days with kids or an entire weekend stay

Portsmouth is one of the best weekend trips if you’ve got kids who love history or transport. It’s also a bit of a gem when you look at city data for affordability—definitely not the most expensive UK city.

✅ Top 6 Things to Do in Portsmouth:

1. Mary Rose Museum
   📍Main Rd, PO1 3PY | Website
2. Explosion Museum of Naval Firepower
   📍Heritage Way, PO12 4LE | Website
3. Blue Reef Aquarium Portsmouth
   📍Clarence Esplanade, PO5 3PB | Website
4. Gunwharf Quays outlet shopping (and soft play!)
5. Harbour boat tour

Top tip: Book tickets online—it’s cheaper and saves queuing with kids in tow.

Cities Near Brighton with Kids: Your Family Travel Q&A

We’ve had so many mums asking us for ideas on easy trips from Brighton that are fun, affordable, and won’t end in “Are we there yet?” before you even hit the A27. So here’s our Q&A guide to visiting cities near Brighton with kids, packed with real mum insights, honest answers, and some useful data to help you plan your next family adventure.

❓What are the best cities near Brighton to visit with kids for a day trip?

Here’s a quick custom map-style answer. These cities are all within an easy drive time estimate of 1–1.5 hours from Brighton:

• Lewes – small, historic, and full of charm
• Worthing – seaside fun without the crowds
• Eastbourne – big beaches and family attractions
• Hastings – pirate caves, castles, and rock pools
• Portsmouth – packed with museums and boats
• Chichester – Roman ruins and green spaces

Each one sits within a specified radius of Brighton—perfect for day trips or weekend getaways.

❓Which is the cheapest city near Brighton for families?

📍Hastings wins hands down for affordability.

With plenty of free or low-cost attractions, like the Smugglers Adventure, Hastings Castle, and the beach, it’s brilliant for budget-conscious families. A typical day out here won’t cost much more than your average pint and a portion of chips (we checked the price of a pint of Guinness—still under £5!).

💡 Top tip: Bring a picnic and spend the day exploring the Old Town. Bonus points if you spot a pirate.

❓ What’s the most expensive city near Brighton for a family break?

📍Chichester tends to be the most expensive UK city on this list when you factor in service prices, hotel stays, and restaurant meals.

That said, it’s a beautiful place and great for educational trips. You’re paying for the history, countryside, and calmer vibe. The estimated total number of people visiting in recent years has risen, which usually nudges the prices up.

💡 Still want to visit? Check road conditions and go off-peak – a weekday day trip saves on parking and crowds.

❓Which city near Brighton has the most to do with active kids?

📍Eastbourne is fab for high-energy kids. Think:

• Zip wires and sandcastle building
• Adventure parks like Treasure Island
• Scootering along the seafront promenade
• Fort Fun for younger kids (indoor + outdoor play)

It’s a brilliant spot for families who don’t want to sit still. Also great if you’re tracking your step count on your watch!

🎯 Compass bearing: Head east along the coast—just under an hour’s drive.

❓Which city is best for a cultural or educational experience?

📍Chichester again! With places like Fishbourne Roman Palace and South Downs Planetarium, it’s great for curious kids—and ideal if your little one has a geography homework piece due.

You’ll find relevant population data, location marker exhibits and interactive experiences for all specific age groups.

❓Is there anywhere great for younger children or toddlers?

📍Worthing is brilliant for under-5s. It’s flat, has accessible paths, good changing facilities, and gentle beaches. Brooklands Park is a favourite with our little ones, and there’s a cafe for caffeine-deprived parents.

Also worth mentioning is that Lewes is calm, compact, and easy to get around with a buggy. Smaller towns in a smaller radius often work best for this age group.

❓Where can we celebrate St Patrick’s Day in cities near Brighton?

📍Try Lewes or Portsmouth for great  St Patrick’s Day celebrations. Look out for themed events in local pub chains like Greene King or Hungry Horse—they often have family meal deals and music in March.

Want to teach the kids about Irish traditions? Combine a St Paddy’s stop with a museum visit for a balanced day out.

❓Which city is easiest to reach by train from Brighton?

• Lewes – around 15 mins
• Worthing – around 30 mins
• Eastbourne – around 45 mins
• Portsmouth – around 1 hour 20 mins

Train travel avoids parking stress and gives you time to relax (or bribe the kids with snacks and iPads).

❓Any cities near Brighton that are great for rainy days?

📍Portsmouth is the MVP here. With museums like the Mary Rose, Naval Firepower, and Blue Reef Aquarium, it’s fab for wet weekends or school holidays.

It’s also great if you’ve got international visitors staying with you and want to show them something different without hopping on an hour-long flight.

❓What if we’re planning a weekend trip on a budget?

📍Hastings and Eastbourne offer great value, even overnight. Think seaside B&Bs, budget-friendly attractions, and a family fish and chip dinner for under £30.

Check out Airbnb and default population setting areas where locals stay—often cheaper and more authentic.

Final Thoughts

Whether you’re looking at a map – nearby cities, checking road conditions, or need a last-minute idea to keep the kids entertained, loads of cities near Brighton tick every box for a mum-friendly adventure. Use your own product criteria, make a plan (or don’t!), and explore somewhere new.

For more inspiration, follow us on Instagram or check out our full list of weekend trip ideas. We hope our Cities near Brighton to Visit with Kids is helpful. Let us know your best spots.