PrimeCarers
Sheffield Park and Garden, Uckfield

Companionship careEast Sussex

Days out in East Sussex for an older parent

Nine places in East Sussex that make a good day out for an older parent, from Sheffield Park and Garden to Hastings Contemporary. For each one: what its own access information confirms, what it costs, how long to allow, and the carers nearby who drive and could take them.

Researched by PrimeCarers from each place’s own website and access information  ·  Updated October 2026

Sheffield Park and Garden. Photo: Karen Roe, CC BY 2.0

Nine days out across nine towns

The best places to take an older parent in East Sussex

Four of them are free to visit or to walk around. The access information for one describes a step-free route, and two confirm an accessible toilet. Where a place does not publish its access, we say so.

Sheffield Park and Garden, Uckfield

Photo: Karen Roe, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Garden · Uckfield

Sheffield Park and Garden

Sheffield Park is a National Trust landscape garden with four lakes linked by cascades, surrounded by rare trees and shrubs that are famous for their autumn colour and spring rhododendrons. The Coach House café has a second-hand bookshop, and volunteers lead free garden tours.

Parking is free with Blue Badge bays, there are accessible toilets by reception and in the café, and paths suitable for wheelchairs, with a site mobility scooter that can be booked by phone.

Time to allow
Half a day
Cost
Paid entry, free parking

Access

Their website does not set out its access in detail, so ring ahead about parking, paths and toilets.

Their website

Carers who drive, based near Uckfield

Bodiam Castle, Bodiam

Photo: Antony McCallum, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Castle · Bodiam

Bodiam Castle

Bodiam Castle is a 14th-century moated castle with round towers, battlements and an original portcullis, standing in a wide moat in the Rother valley. The Wharf Tea-room overlooks the river.

Accessible toilets are by the car park and the courtyard has level access, but the paths are gravel with some slopes and the towers are up steep spiral stairs, so many visitors enjoy it from around the moat.

Time to allow
Half a day
Cost
Paid entry, parking charged for non-members

Access

Their website does not set out its access in detail, so ring ahead about parking, paths and toilets.

Their website

Carers who drive, based near Bodiam

Bateman's, Burwash

Photo: DeFacto, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Historic house · Burwash

Bateman's

Bateman's is the 17th-century Sussex house where Rudyard Kipling lived, kept much as he left it, with his study, books and his Rolls-Royce in the garage. The gardens run down to a working watermill, and the tea-room sits by the Mulberry Garden.

There is designated parking near reception on a tarmac path, an accessible toilet there and wheelchairs to borrow, though the house has stairs to the first floor and the grounds are only partly accessible.

Time to allow
Half a day
Cost
Paid entry

Access

Their website does not set out its access in detail, so ring ahead about parking, paths and toilets.

Their website

Carers who drive, based near Burwash

1066 Battle of Hastings, Abbey and Battlefield, Battle

Photo: Tony Hisgett from Birmingham, UK, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Day out · Battle

1066 Battle of Hastings, Abbey and Battlefield

English Heritage's site at Battle covers the field where the Battle of Hastings was fought in 1066 and the ruined abbey William the Conqueror built on it, with an exhibition in the gatehouse. There is a large café near the gatehouse.

Mobility scooters can be borrowed and there is a suggested route for limited mobility, but paths are gravel with steep slopes and most abbey buildings have steps, so the battlefield is best viewed from the Lower Terrace.

Time to allow
Half a day
Cost
Paid entry

What their access information confirms

  • Partly step-free
  • Café

Their websiteAccess information

Carers who drive, based near Battle

De La Warr Pavilion, Bexhill on Sea

Photo: Alan Stanton, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Gallery · Bexhill on Sea

De La Warr Pavilion

The De La Warr Pavilion is a Grade I listed 1930s building on Bexhill seafront, used as a gallery, theatre and concert venue. The café and terrace look straight out to sea.

Two travel wheelchairs can be borrowed, there are disabled toilets on two floors and disabled spaces in the car park, and the seafront promenade outside is flat.

Time to allow
An hour or two
Cost
Free

What their access information confirms

  • Accessible toilet
  • Wheelchairs to borrow
  • Blue Badge parking
  • Café

Their websiteAccess information

Carers who drive, based near Bexhill on Sea

Towner Eastbourne, Eastbourne

Photo: Goldenretrieved, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Gallery · Eastbourne

Towner Eastbourne

Towner Eastbourne is a free contemporary art gallery with changing exhibitions and a collection of more than 5,000 works, including paintings by Eric Ravilious. There is a cinema and a café bar in the building.

There is a very large lift to all floors, a manual wheelchair to book ahead, Blue Badge spaces in the car park 100 metres away and a drop-off area right outside.

Time to allow
An hour or two
Cost
Free entry

What their access information confirms

  • Blue Badge parking
  • Café

Their website

Carers who drive, based near Eastbourne

Ashdown Forest, Forest Row

Photo: BillPP, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Nature reserve · Forest Row

Ashdown Forest

Ashdown Forest is more than 6,500 acres of open heathland and woodland on the High Weald, known as the home of Winnie-the-Pooh. The Forest Centre at Wych Cross has information on walks and wildlife.

Many small car parks sit right on the heath with wide views, so a carer can find a spot where your parent can enjoy the forest from the car or a short walk.

Time to allow
An hour or two
Cost
Free

Access

Their website does not set out its access in detail, so ring ahead about parking, paths and toilets.

Their website

Carers who drive, based near Forest Row

Rye, Rye

Photo: JackyR, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Market town · Rye

Rye

Rye is one of the best preserved medieval towns in England, a hilltop Cinque Port with cobbled Mermaid Street, the Norman church of St Mary's and the 14th-century Ypres Tower. Independent shops, tearooms and pubs fill its narrow streets.

The cobbles and slopes of the old citadel can be hard going, so a carer should park close to the part of town you want to see and plan regular stops in the tearooms.

Time to allow
Half a day
Cost
Free

Access

Their website does not set out its access in detail, so ring ahead about parking, paths and toilets.

Their website

Carers who drive, based near Rye

Hastings Contemporary, Hastings

Photo: N Chadwick, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Gallery · Hastings

Hastings Contemporary

Hastings Contemporary is a gallery of modern British art on the Stade, among the tall black fishermen's net huts of Hastings Old Town. Its café has panoramic views over the beach and fishing boats.

The building is step free with a lift to both floors, two wheelchairs can be borrowed, there is an accessible toilet and 15 Blue Badge spaces in the Rock-a-Nore car park.

Time to allow
An hour or two
Cost
Paid entry

What their access information confirms

  • Step-free route
  • Accessible toilet
  • Wheelchairs to borrow
  • Blue Badge parking
  • Café

Their website

Carers who drive, based near Hastings

Regular groups and events in East Sussex

Something to go back to every week or every year, from our research into what older people enjoy doing in East Sussex.

  • Cooking & Baking · RyeRye Bay Scallop WeekAn annual late winter food week when pubs, restaurants and the fish market in Rye build menus around locally landed scallops. A carer could take someone along to buy scallops from the fishmonger and cook them simply at home, or book a table somewhere with step-free access.Details
  • Dancing · HastingsHastings Traditional Jack in the GreenA May Day weekend custom in Hastings Old Town with morris and border dance sides, drummers and a procession up to the castle. A carer can find a kerbside spot with somewhere to sit for the procession rather than following the whole route uphill.Details
  • Dancing · HastingsDance Hastings community dance sessionsA local dance charity running regular community dance sessions at a community centre in St Leonards. A carer can handle transport, stay for the session and join in with seated or partnered movement so no one has to arrive alone.Details
  • ReadingEast Sussex Libraries home library serviceA free county council service bringing library books and audiobooks to people who cannot easily get to a branch, chosen to suit their taste. A carer can help set up the account, talk through what to request next and read aloud when eyesight or concentration makes print hard.Details
  • Sports · EastbourneGrass court tennis at Devonshire Park, EastbourneThe annual pre Wimbledon grass court tournament in Eastbourne, with top players on show and quieter outside courts on early days. A carer can book accessible seating in advance, use the published accessibility guidance and plan shade and rest breaks between matches.Details
  • Volunteering · Sheffield Park, near UckfieldVolunteering on the Bluebell RailwayA preserved steam railway with its main station and workshops at Sheffield Park, taking volunteers across stewarding, shop, catering and engineering roles. A carer can sort travel to and from a shift and stay nearby, so a half day of station volunteering stays manageable.Details

Hobbies and carers who share them in East Sussex

At a glance

The nine places side by side

What each place’s own access information confirms. “Ask” means it does not say, not that it is missing.

PlaceTimeCostStep-freeToiletCafé
Sheffield Park and GardenUckfieldhalf a dayPaid entryAskAskAsk
Bodiam CastleBodiamhalf a dayPaid entryAskAskAsk
Bateman'sBurwashhalf a dayPaid entryAskAskAsk
1066 Battle of Hastings, Abbey and BattlefieldBattlehalf a dayPaid entryPartlyAskYes
De La Warr PavilionBexhill on Seaan hour or twoFreeAskYesYes
Towner EastbourneEastbournean hour or twoFreeAskAskYes
Ashdown ForestForest Rowan hour or twoFreeAskAskAsk
RyeRyehalf a dayFreeAskAskAsk
Hastings ContemporaryHastingsan hour or twoPaid entryYesYesYes

Where the places are in East Sussex

The county’s boundary, numbered as on this page, with the main towns for reference.

TelscombeCrowboroughHeathfieldWadhurstUckfieldHailsham123456789
  1. 1Sheffield Park and Garden, Uckfield
  2. 2Bodiam Castle, Bodiam
  3. 3Bateman's, Burwash
  4. 41066 Battle of Hastings, Abbey and Battlefield, Battle
  5. 5De La Warr Pavilion, Bexhill on Sea
  6. 6Towner Eastbourne, Eastbourne
  7. 7Ashdown Forest, Forest Row
  8. 8Rye, Rye
  9. 9Hastings Contemporary, Hastings

What it costs

What a day out with a carer costs in East Sussex

Carers in East Sussex charge £19 to £22 an hour through PrimeCarers, typically £20, with our fee included. A four-hour outing is about £80 for the carer’s time. Entry, food and parking are extra, and travel costs are only payable if you agree them with the carer in advance, in writing. The cost of home care in East Sussex has the full figures.

Photographs on this page are from Wikimedia Commons, credited under each one.

Questions

Questions families ask about days out in East Sussex

Sheffield Park and Garden in Uckfield, Bodiam Castle in Bodiam, Bateman's in Burwash, 1066 Battle of Hastings, Abbey and Battlefield in Battle, De La Warr Pavilion in Bexhill on Sea, Towner Eastbourne in Eastbourne, Ashdown Forest in Forest Row, Rye in Rye and Hastings Contemporary in Hastings. Each has its own section on this page with what its access information confirms, the cost and how long to allow.

The access information for Hastings Contemporary describes a step-free route. De La Warr Pavilion and Hastings Contemporary have an accessible toilet. De La Warr Pavilion and Hastings Contemporary lend wheelchairs. Access changes, so ring ahead about anything your parent depends on.

De La Warr Pavilion, Towner Eastbourne, Ashdown Forest and Rye. Parking is often charged even where entry is free.

Yes. A companion carer can drive your parent there, walk at their pace, help with the toilet and meals, and bring them home. 34 of the carers with a rate near East Sussex drive. Visits are booked by the hour, typically £20 an hour here with our fee included. Companionship care in East Sussex shows who is available.

Often. Many attractions let a carer or companion in free, or at a reduced price, with a disabled visitor, and some ask for proof such as a letter or a benefit award. It varies, so check each place’s access or prices page before you go.

Where the nearest carers live

From the profiles of the carers based within about 45 minutes of East Sussex

  • Maidstone7 carers
  • Ashford6 carers
  • New Romney4 carers
  • Crawley3 carers
  • Tonbridge3 carers
  • East Grinstead2 carers

Where the nearest carers live. A carer close to home can manage a longer day out.

Companionship care in the counties around East Sussex

Days out in the areas around East Sussex

Companionship care by town in East Sussex

Each town page shows the carers who list it as home, with their rates and reviews.

Find a carer who could take them out in East Sussex

See carers near East Sussex who drive, with their photos, interests, rates and reviews. Talking to them is free and nothing is booked until you say so.

Search carers in East SussexCall 0203 369 3624
Free to searchNo obligationVetted & insuredYou choose the carer