Winter things to do on a budget

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Winter things to do on a budget

January 17, 2024

Embrace the changing seasons and enjoy some seasonal activities on a budget in the Arun District / ‘Sussex by the Sea’ this Winter!

If you’re looking for free, low cost or perhaps ‘added value’ days out, activities and events to enjoy in Arundel, Bognor Regis & Littlehampton - without stretching the purse strings, we have some suggestions for you to investigate.

Arundel

Arundel offers some great options to enjoy all year round, without spending too much.

Enjoy a sense of wellbeing, the crisp winter air and great outdoors with a scenic walk in beautiful surroundings.

Download a free map of Arundel or follow some suggested walking routes written by locals. Whether it’s a relaxed stroll around the historic town centre, or an energetic hill hike up into the South Downs, there’s plenty to choose from at the countryside and walks section of the Visit Arundel website and a bargain Festive Trail map in December too from the Museum, but make sure you spend some time inside the museum first.

Arundel has a number of outside spaces and parks for people of all ages to enjoy when the weather permits. Take a stroll along Mill Road from the town to Swanbourne Lake and on to the Arundel Wetlands Centre. Pack a flask and snacks or enjoy refreshments at both locations. Alternatively, The Black Rabbit riverside pub or The Waterside Café are good refreshment stops. Best to call ahead and check opening times and local weather conditions.

If you’d rather stay warm and toasty indoors, there are plenty of local hostelries to choose from in the town centre and surrounding villages. Everyone is feeling the pinch, so why not support the local hospitality businesses, while soaking up a warm welcome and the local West Sussex culture.

The historic Town Hall shows great value films and nearby Slindon Cinema has a historic and vintage films in their 1930’s village hall. Arundel Farmers Market in the town square continues throughout the winter months on the third Saturday of the month.

The BIG event at this time of year is the wonderful Arundel at Christmas, starting on Friday 2^nd December and continuing at weekends throughout December 2022, with lots of free entertainment.

For latest events, and many more seasonal attractions and ideas, visit the Visit Arundel website.

Bognor Regis

There is plenty to see and do on a budget in Bognor Regis, throughout the year.

The beach promenade and pier are easily accessible to enjoy the sea views of the award winning East Beach. The seaside amusements provide colourful entertainment and who doesn’t like a bag of chips in the fresh sea air. There are parks and outside areas that are family and pet friendly and all the beaches from Felpham to Pagham are popular for kayaking and windsurfing activities as the weather permits. You can enjoy some amazing wildlife watching too a little further west along the coast at RSPB Pagham Harbour, a beautiful nature reserve bursting with over wintering birds and other creatures.

Discover the Bognor Regis Heritage Trails and have fun exploring facts along the prom, trees in Hotham Park and intriguing local history. Use your smartphone or pick up a trail leaflet or two at The Regis Centre or the local library (subject to availability)' Or why not join in, volunteer or just watch the participants in the weekly free Bognor Regis ParkRun? Join the local running community in Hotham Park every Saturday for adults, and every Sunday for children. Hotham Park offers a great free venue for a family day out all year round, and from 6^th – 24^th December 2022 there’s a free illuminated “Alice in Winterland” Trail to follow through the park towards the Ice Rink by the Park, which is open until the 2^nd January 2023.

The Picturedrome, Bognor Regis – is an independent cinema with latest films and streamed performances at bargain prices and you can enjoy great value shows and entertainment throughout the year at the Regis Centre and Alexandra Theatre. If you’re looking for a treat, Butlin’s Bognor Regis offer great value family holidays on the south coast. Read this recent news report Butlin's vs Centre Parcs: The holiday park break that's half the price of the other in October (inews.co.uk)

Find all these ideas and many more at the Love Bognor Regis website. There’s more than enough to do inspire visits all year round!

Littlehampton

Littlehampton has two beautiful beaches and a stunning harbour and riverside to enjoy walking all year round - with great views!

West Beach is home to one of only 3 sand dune systems in West Sussex, on a clear day you can enjoy views of the Isle of Wight and take long (or shorter) strolls in the bracing air. Watch the marine traffic in and around the harbour and witness the changes in the weather. Check the Tide Times with the Littlehampton Harbour website, discover much more information and activities ideas, and stay safe.

East Beach is an award-winning sand and pebble beach, is family friendly and worth a visit whatever the weather, and the promenade is also home to Britain’s longest bench! Bring a flask of your favourite hot drink or support the local cafes, you’ll find a great range of drinks and snacks, 'The Beach Club, Littlehampton', 'Edge by the Sea', 'East Beach Café', 'Mewsbrook Park Café', and 'Littlehampton Wave swimming centre' are all within easy reach of the prom.

Harbour Park Amusements by the river also has the children’s play facilities open all year too and more restaurants and cafes can be found alongside the riverside and in the nearby town centre. Checkout their opening times during the quieter winter months. Don’t miss the great value entertainment at the Windmill Entertainments Centre too.

Littlehampton also has seafront parks, adventure golf, a new skate park and green spaces for visitors to enjoy as part of their visit as well as many organised and free events all year round. Find out more at the Visit Littlehampton website.

Whether you live locally or are visiting Sussex by the Sea for some fresh air and exercise, share your favourite great value adventures and pics with us on Facebook or Instagram.

Take a look at some more FREE, FRESH AIR activity ideas to enjoy wherever you are in the Arun District/ ’Sussex by the Sea’

Arun District Council / 'Sussex by the Sea' is not responsible for the content published on external websites

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