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Chichester Cathedral, Chichester

Companionship careWest Sussex

Days out in West Sussex for an older parent

Eight places in West Sussex that make a good day out for an older parent, from Chichester Cathedral to Horsham Museum and Art Gallery. 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 September 2026

Chichester Cathedral. Photo: Evgeniy Podkopaev, CC BY-SA 3.0

Eight days out across five towns

The best places to take an older parent in West Sussex

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

Chichester Cathedral, Chichester

Photo: Evgeniy Podkopaev, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Cathedral · Chichester

Chichester Cathedral

Chichester Cathedral has stood in the centre of the city for over 900 years, with Norman stonework, a Chagall window, a John Piper tapestry and a detached bell tower. Entry is free, guided tours run most days, and the Cloisters Kitchen café sits in the garden.

There is step-free level access through the South West Door and throughout most of the building, with ramps to raised areas and a manual wheelchair to borrow, so the whole visit can be made without steps.

Time to allow
An hour or two
Cost
Free, donations welcome

What their access information confirms

  • Step-free route
  • Wheelchairs to borrow
  • Café

Their websiteAccess information

Carers who drive, based near Chichester

Pallant House Gallery, Chichester

Photo: Ian Cunliffe, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Gallery · Chichester

Pallant House Gallery

Pallant House Gallery in Chichester joins a Queen Anne townhouse to a modern wing and holds one of the best collections of modern British art, with works by Henry Moore, John Piper and Lucian Freud. It has changing exhibitions and a café.

The main entrance has street-level automatic doors, a large lift reaches every floor, there are two accessible toilets on the ground floor, and two wheelchairs can be booked in advance.

Time to allow
An hour or two
Cost
Paid entry

What their access information confirms

  • Step-free route
  • Accessible toilet
  • Wheelchairs to borrow

Their websiteAccess information

Carers who drive, based near Chichester

Fishbourne Roman Palace, Chichester

Photo: Charlesdrakew, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

Museum · Chichester

Fishbourne Roman Palace

Fishbourne Roman Palace, just west of Chichester, is the largest Roman home found in Britain, with the biggest collection of in-situ Roman floor mosaics in the country under a cover building. Outside, the Roman garden has been replanted to its original design.

The site is generally level with ramped walkways to the museum, mosaics, café and film theatre, parking is free and an essential carer goes in free.

Time to allow
Half a day
Cost
Paid entry, essential carer free

What their access information confirms

  • Step-free route
  • Café

Their website

Carers who drive, based near Chichester

Weald and Downland Living Museum, Singleton

Photo: DimiTalen, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons

Museum · Singleton

Weald and Downland Living Museum

The Weald and Downland Living Museum at Singleton, north of Chichester, has more than 50 historic buildings rescued from across the South East and rebuilt in the countryside, from medieval houses to a Victorian school. There are working animals, gardens and a café by the lake.

A flat resin path gives step-free access to the visitor centre and there is an accessible toilet in the café building, though the wider site is grass and gravel and the museum does not hire out wheelchairs.

Time to allow
A full day
Cost
Paid entry

What their access information confirms

  • Partly step-free
  • Accessible toilet
  • Café

Their websiteAccess information

Carers who drive, based near Singleton

Highdown Gardens, Worthing

Photo: Dave Spicer, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Garden · Worthing

Highdown Gardens

Highdown Gardens is a chalk garden on the edge of Worthing created by Sir Frederick Stern, with rare plants collected from around the world, a rose garden and views over the downs. It is free to visit and run by the council.

There are accessible toilets at the garden entrance beside the Highdown Hill car park, and the upper lawns near the entrance are the gentlest part of the sloping garden.

Time to allow
An hour or two
Cost
Free

What their access information confirms

  • Partly step-free
  • Accessible toilet

Their websiteAccess information

Carers who drive, based near Worthing

Worthing Pier and seafront, Worthing

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

Coast · Worthing

Worthing Pier and seafront

Worthing Pier is an Art Deco pier with a pavilion theatre, a café and bar at its southern end, and a long promenade runs east and west along the seafront. The seafront has gardens, beach huts and plenty of benches facing the sea.

The promenade and pier deck are long and level, so a carer can plan a short walk out to the pavilion café and back with the sea on both sides.

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 Worthing

Wakehurst, Haywards Heath

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

Garden · Haywards Heath

Wakehurst

Wakehurst near Ardingly is Kew's wild botanic garden, with an Elizabethan mansion, walled gardens, woodland, a wetland and the Millennium Seed Bank, where seeds from around the world are stored. There are cafés and a restaurant on site.

The formal gardens around the mansion and the Seed Bank are near the entrance, so a carer can plan a short visit there and ask about mobility help before going down into the steeper valleys.

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 Haywards Heath

Horsham Museum and Art Gallery, Horsham

Photo: Whn64, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Museum · Horsham

Horsham Museum and Art Gallery

Horsham Museum and Art Gallery is in a medieval timber-framed house on the Causeway, Horsham's prettiest street, with rooms on local history, Shelley, costume, toys and art, and a walled garden behind. Entry is free.

It is free and in the town centre close to the parish church and shops, so a carer can pair a short look round with lunch nearby, and should ask about the upper floors before going.

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 Horsham

Regular groups and events in West Sussex

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

  • Music · PetworthPetworth FestivalA long running summer arts festival in and around Petworth with classical, jazz and folk concerts in churches, halls and Petworth House. A carer can pick a single afternoon or early evening concert, arrange parking close by and book seats on an aisle.Details
  • Photography · WorthingWorthing Camera ClubA local camera club with a programme of talks, lectures and competitions through the season. A carer can provide the lift to meetings and help print or upload images for club evenings.Details
  • Sports · WorthingSouth Downs Leisure walking footballRegular walking football sessions in Worthing listed with the Walking Football Association, aimed at older players who want the game without running. A carer can drive to the session, bring water and a change of shoes and watch from the side.Details
  • VolunteeringBefriending volunteer with Age UK West SussexAge UK West Sussex, Brighton and Hove recruits befriending volunteers to keep in regular contact with older people who are lonely. A carer can help with the application and the induction, and keep a diary note of the weekly call or visit.Details
  • Knitting · SteyningKnit and Natter at Steyning LibraryA knitting, crochet and craft group meeting at Steyning Library in Church Street. A carer can check the meeting time with the library, provide the lift and carry the bag of wool and needles.Details
  • Knitting · WorthingKnit and Natter at Durrington LibraryA library craft and knitting group in Durrington, north Worthing, listed in the county council's clubs and societies directory. A carer can ring the library for the current day and time, then make the session part of a regular weekly routine.Details

Hobbies and carers who share them in West Sussex

At a glance

The eight 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
Chichester CathedralChichesteran hour or twoFreeYesAskYes
Pallant House GalleryChichesteran hour or twoPaid entryYesYesAsk
Fishbourne Roman PalaceChichesterhalf a dayPaid entryYesAskYes
Weald and Downland Living MuseumSingletona full dayPaid entryPartlyYesYes
Highdown GardensWorthingan hour or twoFreePartlyYesAsk
Worthing Pier and seafrontWorthingan hour or twoFreeAskAskAsk
WakehurstHaywards Heathhalf a dayPaid entryAskAskAsk
Horsham Museum and Art GalleryHorshaman hour or twoFreeAskAskAsk

Where the places are in West Sussex

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

ArundelEast GrinsteadSouthwickSelseyMidhurstHaywards HeathCrawley12345678
  1. 1Chichester Cathedral, Chichester
  2. 2Pallant House Gallery, Chichester
  3. 3Fishbourne Roman Palace, Chichester
  4. 4Weald and Downland Living Museum, Singleton
  5. 5Highdown Gardens, Worthing
  6. 6Worthing Pier and seafront, Worthing
  7. 7Wakehurst, Haywards Heath
  8. 8Horsham Museum and Art Gallery, Horsham

What it costs

What a day out with a carer costs in West Sussex

Carers in West 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 West 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 West Sussex

Chichester Cathedral in Chichester, Pallant House Gallery in Chichester, Fishbourne Roman Palace in Chichester, Weald and Downland Living Museum in Singleton, Highdown Gardens in Worthing, Worthing Pier and seafront in Worthing, Wakehurst in Haywards Heath and Horsham Museum and Art Gallery in Horsham. 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 Chichester Cathedral, Pallant House Gallery and Fishbourne Roman Palace describes a step-free route. Pallant House Gallery, Weald and Downland Living Museum and Highdown Gardens have an accessible toilet. Chichester Cathedral and Pallant House Gallery lend wheelchairs. Access changes, so ring ahead about anything your parent depends on.

Chichester Cathedral, Highdown Gardens, Worthing Pier and seafront and Horsham Museum and Art Gallery. 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. 38 of the carers with a rate near West Sussex drive. Visits are booked by the hour, typically £20 an hour here with our fee included. Companionship care in West 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 West Sussex

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

Companionship care in the counties around West Sussex

Days out in the areas around West Sussex

Companionship care by town in West 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 West Sussex

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

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