By Phie Bannister
Beat the crowds and cut costs this summer by spending a day at a new playground. We’ve rounded up our favourites for you…
John Pears play area, Ashurst Wood
Tucked away, this park has lots of wooden play things, slides and a surrounding green with sports courts. Free parking, but no toilets or cafe.
Goldsmith Recreation Park, Crowborough
A large play area with climbing frames and a zip wire, a miniature boating lake, a model railway line, sports courts, athletics track and skate park. Free parking, cafe and toilets.
Hempstead Field Play Area, Uckfield
Hidden along the railway line, this nature reserve has a good sized play area and outdoor gym, with regular trains passing for little petrol heads to enjoy! There’s also a short woodland walk at the bottom. A small free car park, no toilets or cafe.
Ringmer playground
This newly-refurbished playground has something for children of all ages, including a large playing field and a duck pond. You can park for free in the roads around, but there are no toilets or cafe.
Priory Ruins, Lewes
This historic site is free to walk around, and there is a play park too with a mini sunken trampoline, bridges, tunnels and sand play. You have to pay to park and there are no on-site toilets or cafe.
Big Park, Peacehaven
As the name suggests, this huge play area is brimming with different areas to explore. Suitable for toddlers and teenagers alike. You could spend a whole day here if you brought bikes or scooters too, as there’s a large field with a path. Free parking, toilets and a really nice cafe.
The Salts Recreation Ground, Seaford
This big play area is over the road from the beach and is packed full of equipment. There is a cafe with soft-serve ice cream and toilets available. Free roadside parking.
Horam Recreation Ground
This large play area is next to Horam Village Hall and there’s plenty of space and lots of equipment. There is a skate park and free ping-pong tables. Free parking, no cafe or toilets (unless the village hall is open).
Princes Park, Eastbourne
A beachside play area with play park, splash pad, boating lake and different areas to explore. Lovely cafe and toilets available. Parking on the streets around.
Egerton Park, Bexhill
A large open space with a boating lake, sculptures, playground, outdoor gym and sports courts. Cafe, toilets and parking available.
Alexandra Park, Hastings
Filled with local wildlife and water, this park is a scenic retreat. There’s a play area, statues, sports courts and a miniature railway. The cafe is worth a visit and there are toilets. Parking available on the streets around the park.
Where is your favourite playground? Let us know which gems we have missed.
