12 Cool Things to do this Summer

An exciting two week archaeological dig at Petworth House aims to discover evidence of a lost Tudor wing of the National Trust’s magnificent Petworth House. Part of ‘Henry VIII on Tour’, a research project led by Historic Royal Palaces (HRP) in partnership with the University of York, the work will map each and every venue occupied by Henry VIII on his 'Royal Progress' tour. 

Will the dig find the footprint of the lost North Wing, built when Henry acquired the house in 1536? The dig will also be searching for evidence of a 'mystery building' in the park. Marked on various historical records, the building is thought to be a banqueting house or hunting lodge where the king would have entertained his guests.

Visitors will be able to explore the explorations on daily tours of the dig site at 2.15pm (excluding Thursday 25 July), and any finds will be displayed for all to see in the Battery House. Families can get hands on at a 'have-a-go' mini archaeology pit, play a Henry on Tour game of chance, and there's also the opportunity to make your own family crest.

19th - 31st July. Find out more here.

Whether in the tranquil surroundings of 'Paradise' at Chichester Cathedral or against the picturesque backdrop of Weald & Downland Living Museum, there's a feast of theatrical performances to entertain you this summer. All you need is a chair and a picnic and you're all set.

Open air theatre at Chichester Cathedral 

The Merry Wives of Windsor with The Pantaloons - 31st July: The critically-acclaimed Pantaloons put their own innovative and interactive spin on Shakespeare's classic comedy. Enjoy slapstick, abundant anachronisms and memorable music amid Shakespeare’s poignant poetry.

The Adventures of Doctor Dolittle with Illyria - 4th August: theatre group Illyria brings you an adaptation of this feel-good family favourite. Join the adventure with Doctor Doolittle's trusty pet-crew of Jip the dog, Chee-Chee the monkey, Dab-Dab the Duck and permanently hungry Gub-Gub the pig.

Open air theatre at Weald & Downland Living Museum

Enjoy performances of family classics like Five Children & It, Peter Pan and Jemima Puddleduck, to Great Expectations and Shakespeare favourites, As You Like It and The Comedy of Errors. See more and book tickets here.

Discover the treasures that lie on Selsey's shores on a Marine Life Walk. Come armed with an inquisitive pair of eyes, a camera and lots of questions as you learn how to seek out the marine residents with Anya Frampton of Mulberry Marine Experiences. Runs on various dates during the summer, advance booking required. £15 per person.

Wind your way around a Maize Maze and pick your own stunning Sunflowers at Cowdray Estate's Sunflower Patch in Midhurst. Open from 1st - 26th August this is a fun family trail teaching children about farming and animals, with stamps to collect along the way. This year alongside the sunflower varieties you'll be able to pick stems of other flowers such as cornflowers and poppies, too. Bunches of flowers can be picked on the day for just £5 per bunch. £6 per person (under 3s free of charge). Dogs on leads are welcome.

You can also pick your own Sunflowers at Bignor during August, where there's also a maze to navigate. Secateurs at the ready! Entry is £5 per person with under 5's free and sunflower stems charged at £1 per stem. Open all week.

Swoop into Tangmere Military Aviation Museum's annual family fun day on 4th August. Tickets to the day include exploring the museum with its abundant and awe inspiring treasures, big and small. Families can explore open cockpits, simulators (adults), emergency vehicles, face painting, balloon animals, caricatures and much, much more. Children under 5 are free of charge

The 2024 Chichester International Film Festival kicks off in style with a series of open air cinema screenings. Employing bright LED technology for impactful viewing, there's five screenings to choose from, all of which are set in the picturesque location of Priory Park in Chichester. Families can enjoy a picnic in the sunshine and watch afternoon screenings of The Lego Movie and Wonka (in aid of Stonepillow), while evening screenings feature Barbie, Dirty Dancing and Stop Making Sense, the iconic concert film featuring Talking Heads.

Open Air Screenings 9th – 11th August

Chichester International Film Festival runs 9th - 25th August 2024 with an exciting and varied programme of film screenings, exclusive premieres and a host of new live events to captivate audiences, including a showcase of Spanish and Portuguese films, a centennial tribute to Marlon Brando, a focus on Greta Gerwig. The full programme is yet to be announced.

Find out more and book tickets

The multi-award winning musical, Oliver! arrives at Chichester Festival Theatre reconceived by director and choreographer Matthew Bourne and Cameron Mackintosh. The sensational, familiar score including Food Glorious Food, Consider Yourself, and You’ve Got to Pick-a-Pocket or Two, will have you tapping your toes and singing along as you follow Oliver on his journey from the workhouse to Fagin's gang of pickpockets led by the Artful Dodger, and beyond.

Promising to be one of the Festival Theatre's most unforgettable productions, this is a show you won't want to miss - it might even leave you asking for more! Runs 8th July - 7th September.

2024 marks 200 years of saving lives at sea by the RNLI. RNLI Selsey is marking the occasion with host of activities during 'Lifeboat Week' at Selsey Lifeboat Station. There's a week of activities to enjoy culminating in:

Saturday 3rd August - ‘999’ Open Day

Experience a display by the Emergency Services. The Ambulance, Fire Engines and Coastguard will be outside the boathouse. Join a tour of the Lifeboats and boathouse. There will also be family fun on the Lifeboat Green including a funfair and dog show.

Sunday 4th August - Lifeboat Launch Day

See the Lifeboats on the water, as well as watching the kayak racing, enjoying live music and a funfair.

Make the most of the stunning Sussex coast as you hit the water. There's a huge choice of experiences to be had from family sailing tuition to wind surf lessons, with everything in between. We love the Sunset Paddle trip at Chichester Harbour by Fluid Adventures which use double sit-on kayaks making it perfect for a trip with friends or family as you witness a Sussex sunset against this beautiful backdrop. Families can learn to sail together at Cobnor Activities Centre. In Hawk 20 Keelboats, up to five of you can get to grips with the basics of sailing with your own dedicated instructor.

Adventures under canvas offer a extra level of freedom and connect you with nature like no other stay. Toast marshmallows over the fire and sit back and gaze at starry Sussex skies. Additional creature comforts can be found in ready-assembled yurts at a variety of campsites like Wild Combe, Elessar and Woodfire, where phenomenal feasting is also the order of the day. Lordington Park Campsite even has a tearoom! Whether you choose to pitch up for a night or two or escape for a longer break, maybe 2024 is your year to conquer camping? Explore the wide range of welcoming campsites here.

A veritable feast awaits your eyes this summer, from the ground breaking work of Leonora Carrington at Newlands House Gallery, and a celebration of the colour blue at Kevis House Gallery to 'The Shape of Things' exploration of the impact of still life in Britain at Pallant House Gallery, Chichester featuring a ‘Who’s Who’ of Modern and Contemporary British artists.

Summer Lates return to Pallant House Gallery again this summer -a chance to enjoy drinks in the courtyard from Pallant Cafe every Thursday until 8pm, plus half-price entry to the gallery. There's also live music on the first Thursday of every month.

Take your tastebuds to The South Downs Food Festival. Championing the wonderful food and drink of the South Downs, this new festival will introduce you to amazing farmers, fishermen and food producers, mouth watering demos, tastings, BBQs, and much, much more. The show will be opened by none other than Prue Leith! Across the two days you'll get the opportunity to feast, with menus from Michelin-starred chefs (proceeds going to Rowan’s Hospice), picnics crammed full of Sussex specialties, wood-fired pizza, and low and slow brisket for an unforgettable gastronomic experience. 

The South Downs Food Festival is working with the Elizabeth David estate, the post-war food writer who inspired countless chefs and food writers, to celebrate the revival of British food culture. Plus talks with food historians Diane Purkiss and author Rachel Cooke, and Guy Singh-Watson, founder of Riverford veg boxes. Foodies, you won't want to miss this.

And one for luck!

The Big Hoot lands in Chichester and Arundel

Discover a trail of 30 unique arty owls dotted around Chichester city centre, the historic town of Arundel and around Chichester Harbour in this fun, free, family trail in aid of Chestnut Tree House. 30 little owls are also hiding in shops, museums and libraries - can you find them all? There's a map to help, or you can download an app. Collect the letters to answer a question!

The trail is free to discover from 10th July – 1st September 2024