We really enjoyed our family visit here. It suited all ages and surprisingly for a museum our…read morechildren would have stayed for much longer than we had time for. We need to go back again to see all the things we missed last time. The only reason I didn't give five stars is because it was very difficult carrying the toddler. This is just due to the age of the building that it is not possible to take the buggy round and that had to be left behind. So I would suggest leaving this until your youngest child is about 4yrs old - old enough to be interested in seeing the beautifully laid out rooms and learn a bit about the past. We visited during the autumn but apparently when the weather is fine there is a lot ot do in the gardens at the back. Exit is through the gift shop. This was wonderfully stocked so expect to be forking out for toys and novelties to take home. There are pay and display carparks down the highstreet or park in the Battle Abbey car park.

Great selection of displays, has been expanded recently so a lot to see, great little shop when u…read morecome out as well

Battle is steeped in history such as it is so close to Hastings and the site of that famous battle…read morein 1066. Yesterday's World is a shopping arcade come cafe with a selection of displays to keep you interested. It's a perfectly good way of whiling away half an hour over a cup of tea after a hard day's history.

The widlife reserve is fantastic, a great place for the young and old to get close to a huge…read morevariety of birds. The entrance fee of £7 for an adult is not cheap, however you can happily spend the day. There is a small railway, a playpark, peacocks wandering through the grounds, pigs and of course the motor museum, showing many unusual motor vehicles and providing the history behind many of it's exhibits. The cafe is cheap and provides a good selection of hot and cold snacks, alternatively take a picnic. A great day out and good value for money.

Despite it being very cold and plenty of snow on the ground, we had a lovely time…read more Plenty of ducks and swans wandering about and all in a very peaceful setting. Good to look at some of the old cars on display in the motor museum as well. Some cracking home made cake on offer as well.

Formerly the site of the Royal Observatory (from 1958-1990), the site is now run by a charity as a…read morevenue for exhibitions, lectures and educational programmes. The renovated telescopes can be visited by the public, for school visits, and are used by colleges and astronomical societies. It makes a great fun-but-educational family day out. Most people associate the Royal Observatory with Greenwich, where it was founded by Charles II in 1675. It was increasingly recognised that London was not a good location due to light and atmospheric pollution, and the effects of vibrations from rising road and rail traffic. Plans were made to relocate the observatory in the 1930s; transfer began to the new site at Herstmonceux in 1947 and was completed in 1958. The complex of buildings was constructed to house three reflecting and three refracting telescopes in six domes, of brick and concrete with green copper domes and balustraded balconies, with adjoining support buildings, all set around a central ornamental pond. These are themselves classic examples of 1950s architecture. The telescopes were joined in 1967 by the giant 98-inch Isaac Newton Telescope (INT) once housed in the silver dome to the south of the main complex. The UK was never an ideal site for astronomical observations because of the preponderance of cloud, and over time, increasing light pollution from Eastbourne. The growth of cheap air travel in the 1960s enabled astronomers to travel to parts of the world with clearer skies and in 1984 the INT telescope was moved to the Canary Islands. Eventually, the decision was taken to close the site and move the remaining staff to the Institute of Astronomy at the University of Cambridge. The site reopened in its current guise in 1995 and the site, including the telescopes, was refurbished in 2004. Visitors now enter through the eastern grounds of Herstmonceux Castle (itself now a college of Queen's College, Ontario). Car parking is available in a small car park but in summer most park on the lawn in front. The ticket office at the entrance houses a small shop with merchandise aimed at children and young people, covering a range of scientific subjects. Numbers are limited, so advanced booking is strongly recommended. There are guided tours of the telescopes (which take about half an hour) and separate science demonstrations. The site has both indoor and outdoor hands-on activities for children (of all ages!) covering aspects of science and engineering - a bit like a small hands-on science museum. We found the volunteer staff to be friendly and knowledgeable, and the sessions were very interactive for the children. We happily spent a couple of hours there. There is a small cafe on site, serving drinks and a limited range of snacks. The site is on several levels and has a lot of steps and gravel pathways, but there are ramps for level access and a disabled toilet: more details are on the main website. Children must be accompanied and supervised by an adult at all times, and dogs are not admitted (except assistance dogs). As well as being open for general visits, there are periodic stargazing evenings: numbers are also limited for these and need to be booked in advance.

This is such an interesting place to take the kids for some star-gazing. They are so good at…read morekeeping everyone's attention on the go (things like this can get a bit boring). There's so many different night and daytime events on offer here and a lot of them depend on weather and, of course the stars but we had a great night there and got to see so many beautiful sights. There's a fantastic shop to pop into at the end of the day with some really interesting and informative books to buy.

Huge crowds and it wasn't even a weekend. Reason: free…read more This is equivalent to Natural History ones in US. However, there are historical contexts with british roman empires and other inclusions that makes this place distinct in a variety of ways. There are also kid packet activities- ask front desk. Some areas have uneven heating and cooling so you may be prone to fainting / esp if the ennui alone is not enough to get you there- ha! Place is great for history buffs, though, as it is free- do not expect high end bathrooms and overall exceptional service. Otherwise, 5 stars for being free and for a very elaborate set up.

British Museum, London, April 5…read more Our family of four with kids ages 9 and 10 spent part of the afternoon at the British Museum as an easy cultural stop during our London stay. Entry to the permanent collection is free and straightforward, with no reservation required, which made it simple to drop in. There are paid special exhibitions, but the main museum itself is open access. Arrival and First Impressions Entry to the building was very easy, and once inside the scale is immediate. The Great Court sets the tone right away, and everything feels larger and more layered than expected. Even just orienting yourself takes a moment because of how expansive the space is. Getting in was smooth and flexible, and the museum handles steady crowds well without ever feeling restrictive, which helped a lot with kids in tow. The Highlights The Egyptian galleries are one of the first moments where the scale really lands. The large stone sculptures and statues are far bigger in person than photos suggest, and they create a dramatic backdrop as you move through the space. The Rosetta Stone was another key highlight. Seeing it in person adds a different level of context, especially knowing its role in unlocking ancient Egyptian writing. It is not large or flashy compared to some of the other artifacts in the room, but it carries a quiet importance that draws attention naturally. The Samurai exhibition was a standout and required a paid entry ticket. It was absolutely worth it. The display of full armor sets, helmets, weapons, and artwork created a complete and visually rich picture of samurai life. The craftsmanship in the armor in particular held everyone's attention far longer than expected, and it felt more immersive than a typical museum exhibit. We also spent time in the hands-on style learning stations, which were a strong break in pace. These included real artifacts like a flint knife that was thousands of years old and a Roman cosmetic jar believed to have been used for eye makeup. Seeing objects like that up close made history feel very tangible for the kids in a way that glass cases alone do not. There is also a family area tucked away downstairs that worked well as a short reset point. It felt quieter and more relaxed, and it gave the kids a chance to decompress before continuing, which made the overall visit more sustainable. The museum works best as a series of short, flexible stops rather than a structured route, and we naturally moved based on interest and energy levels. The Challenges The main challenge is scale. It is very easy to underestimate how large the British Museum is, and even with breaks built in, pacing becomes the key factor in how enjoyable the visit feels. Trying to cover too much quickly would likely be overwhelming, especially for kids. Would We Return Yes, but with a more focused plan and specific sections chosen in advance rather than trying to see everything broadly again. Final Thoughts The British Museum is best experienced in segments rather than as a single continuous visit. The Egyptian galleries, the Rosetta Stone, the Samurai exhibition, and the hands-on artifact stations all offered very different but equally strong experiences. It is free, accessible, and incredibly rich, but the real value comes from slowing down and treating it like a collection of smaller discoveries, with breaks built in, rather than a single museum to "finish."

It's a castle, it's made of stone and it's very old. Built by the Normans or built to keep them…read moreout, can't remember which. There are some cannons outside and one of those wood plaques with a hole where you can attach someone's head and point and laugh at them. Yea, I should have taken a picture to make this easier. The castle courtyard is small like my backyard at home. I didn't pay the £4 it costs to enter, because it didn't look like it would be worth it.

Very modest local history museum. Entry fee is UKP 4 for an adult. small kids (maximum 3) get free…read moreentry. The items on display aren't very special, and it's a small place that won't occupy your time for more than 20 minutes. The tower itself is more appealing and rewarding than the inside. There's an authentic women's prison cell which is interesting, simple multimedia presentation included. The place does offer special activities for children, and for families with smaller fry it might be worth a visit. Not suitable for disabled people! If you do visit, make sure to drop by at the adjacent Ypres Castle Inn, a pub that offers a good selection of ales, solid food and a great view from the outside seating area.

Small lovely museum, funded mainly by donations with lovely staff. Educational and mind opening…read moreexperience. I hope the museum gets the opportunity to expand and have more exhibits. When we came they had an exhibit about menopause. I think more people need to learn about the vagina in general and as a whole and understand what it is like to have one and all the burdens that come along with it and without it in the end.

A soon as I saw the name on the sign outside I HAD to go in. They have a wide variety of products…read moredisplayed from information pamphlets, books and jewellery that looks like ummm well I'm not sure what word Yelp will consider PC or risqué so just read the name of the business and you'll know exactly what I'm messing. You can wear them on your ears with a knitted sweet or on a chain around your neck made of an plastic type material, they had bold showing every size, shape and colour. You can also get t-shirts. The staff stayed behind the desk but they were friendly and greeted everyone that entered. I realised like myself most people seemed to be coming in out of curiosity and don't make any purchases but b they staff took that in stride and continued greeting everyone with the same courteous smile. Kudos to this company for celebrating woman so boldly

April 4, Natural History Museum, London…read more Our family of four with a son 9 and daughter 10 visited expecting a quicker stop and ended up spending several hours exploring. Arrival and First Impressions We had tickets reserved which helped us get in quickly. The building itself is stunning, one of the most impressive museum entrances we saw on the trip. The main hall immediately grabs your attention with massive displays and a very grand feel. The museum was busy but manageable. The Highlights The dinosaur exhibit was the clear favorite. The animatronic Tyrannosaurus rex was a big hit and kept both kids fully engaged. There is a strong mix of exhibits covering natural history, geology, and the origins of Earth. I personally enjoyed the sections on plate tectonics and geological history and the kids stayed interested longer than expected. The scale of everything stands out. Large animal displays, interactive areas, and plenty of visual elements make it easy to explore as a family. The Challenges It is easy to lose track of time and energy. After a few hours fatigue sets in, especially for kids. Would We Return Yes, there is still a lot we did not see and it is worth another visit with a more focused plan. Final Thoughts The Natural History Museum is a great balance of education and entertainment. It is visually impressive and very engaging for kids, making it an easy recommendation for families.

Lots of bones! Plenty of old stuff! Great turn-of-the-century over-the-top ornate architecture!…read morePlan on an hour unless you're hardcore. Ride the escalator into the middle of the earth to find out what music is playing inside. See extraordinary taxidermy handiwork. Even see a fake dodo bird thought to be an adjacent species that didn't exist. And if you like dinosaurs this is your Mecca. Just don't dare sit anywhere like on some stairs in the corner or some overzealous guard will kick you right out. But otherwise you'll have a great time. Also enjoy the outside grounds for a stroll, and hit up the West entrance for zero lines while the hoards line up on the other side.

A lovely property to wander round, we attended during the battle reinactment which made for a…read morelovely day out (held in October). As well as the Abbey there is also a small restaurant selling locally sourced produce, it can be a bit pricey however. Butyou can picnic in the grounds if it's a nice day. For the kids there's plenty of room for them to run around, an interactive museum and a themed playground.

After William the Conqueror had invaded Great Britain and made it his home he built the Battle…read moreAbbey to commemorate his victory. The Abbey is a truly an interesting site to visit because he built it on the exact spot where he first set foot on British soil. I don't want to go into much detail about the battle but if ancient history is a forte yours as it is mine then highlights of the visit include an interactive audio visual interpretation of the battle.

Now a museum, this excellent example of a 16th-century timber-framed house formed part of the…read moredivorce settlement to Anne of Cleves from Henry VIII in 1541. Although there is no evidence that she ever visited it, it is a fascinating example of a substantial Wealden Hall-house. Some of the rooms are furnished to reflect the period when it was built. The house also contains a museum with a varied collection of historic artifacts from Sussex's past, though I found these only mildly diverting.

There's tons of ancient history to be seen here. A beautiful old timber-framed house that formed…read morepart of Anne's divorce settlement from Henry VIII in 1541. If you are interested in your Sussex history, this place is steeped in it. Old pottery and iron work are dotted all around the place. Strangely enough, for a property that was involved in a very famous divorce, the house is licensed for weddings and is very popular indeed. Personally though I'd find that a bit odd but it is a very beautiful place indeed. Please note, due to the age of the house, its not the best place to bring anyone in a wheel chair, they have installed ramps where they can but you may find it a little difficult.