Posts Tagged ‘Brighton For Children’

Yes, we’ve just spotted there are loads more activities on during this half term week in Brighton. Possibly the most interesting is running at Churchill Square shopping centre where they have set up an ice rink.

It’s not a real ice rink, but still plenty of fun for all the family if you are visiting Brighton during half term.

It’s £6 per 20-minute session and it’s all part of publicity for the latest production by the Holiday on Ice people who are launching ‘Tropicana’ in January next year.

The rink is an ‘off-ice’ rink – so there’s no skates and not even any ice! Opened by dancers from the show, the rink is ready for fun all week.

Cold but cool - Image Flickr/Leonski

Fans of the real ice-skating enjoying Christmas and New Year in Brighton can bring their own skates when they book into their Brighton BnB from November 12. The Royal Pavilion will again play host to an ice rink and restaurant all the way up till January 22.

With excellent food and a fantastic location, the winter ice-skating will be another must-do activity on family weekends in Brighton well into the New Year.

More details emerging about the Gastro delights known only as ‘Feast’ have appeared on the Peppermintbars Blog -not often we big up another Brighton blog, but we liked reading this one.

Tickets for the Royal Pavilion Ice Rink, please visit: www.ticketmaster.co.uk

More ways to enjoy half term in Brighton

Yes, it’s nearly Halloween and the little horrors will soon be keeping us up with their tricks – and demanding an endless supply of treats no doubt. Well, if you need them entertained book a BnB in Brighton and take a look at the range of events we’ve got coming up next week.

Autumn sun and half term fun!

Child Friendly Brighton has the most comprehensive listing of what’s on – here’s our pick of the best entertainment for families in Brighton and nearby.

Gorrid the Horrid

Live music, puppets and animation combined in this children’s fright fest. Turn up in fancy dress and you can win a prize. Ideal for kids aged 4-10 yrs and good offers on family tickets.

B-Starz Academy Half Term Boot Camp

Industry pros help kids burn off their half term excitement with classes in dance, acting and singing. There’s a fee involved, but the course runs till Thursday and all students get to perform in the live show. Ideal for kids aged 7-11 and 12-16 yrs.

Halloween Lantern Walk

The weekend in Brighton is when the activities really get going. Starting in Preston Park on Saturday 29 there’s a lantern walk, with prizes for the best lanterns and fancy dress costumes. Wrap up warm and keep the creeps away.

Visiting Brighton for the first time, have a look at our Brighton What’s On page.

And for more details and inspiration for the October half term, here’s the planner and a great resource for child friendly activities.

The dawn walkers you see wandering the seafront on weekends in Brighton aren’t zombies, they’re just clubbers who couldn’t get enough! Still, there are some places in Brighton where the dead can be found… And if you know the right man, you can walk in their footsteps.

Rob Marks keeps strange company. And creepy tales unfold as he takes people on a ghost walk of the Lanes , and through the dark history of the city. He explains more:

Walking with Brighton's ghosts. Image: Flickr/Louwuselchen

The Brighton Ghost Walk is very popular, but when did you start your wanderings?

I began my wandering around the Lanes three years ago. I had carried out extensive research into the many alleged hauntings in the area and scripted the show three years before.

The walk’s for all ages, but are there some tales you have to leave untold?

The walk is essentially light-hearted fun and I tend to juxtapose the dramatic intensity of the stories with comic respite. I carry a Gladstone bag filled with props relating to my tales; some mildly gruesome. However, the kids love it and I always make a special point of bonding with them throughout the walk.  I made a point of choosing tales that were suitable for all age-ranges so there are none that I would leave untold. There are occasions when I have simplified the language for younger groups and left out any risqué jokes.

Ever been really spooked yourself?

I’ve been doing this for a long time in Brighton and York. One thing I’m pretty sure of is that ghosts can’t harm you. Nevertheless, I did once feel a tad spooked when visiting an old empty, part derelict house that I was later told was haunted.

Most weekends in Brighton are peaceful affairs, so why walk with its ghosts?

Weekends in Brighton are also fun affairs and the ghost walk is all about having fun.

What’s the town’s most haunted spot?

The original fishing quarter, now know of as the Lanes, is unquestionably the most haunted part of the city. There is hardly a street or lane that does not have a spectral connection.

If you came back to haunt the town, where would you hang out?

New Road, opposite the Pavilion Gardens. It’s a delightful spot to sit and while away an hour of two over coffee and watch the world go by.

Take a look at Rob’s video on the Ambassador Facebook page.

Bringing your family to the coast this weekend? We’ve family rooms in Brighton.

Visiting Brighton this summer you’ll be keen to keep costs down – there’s the cost of transport, food and entertainment, as well as the price of your bed and breakfast in Brighton.

Free fun in Brighton

Sticking to our reputation of being the best value and most characterful Brighton BnB, we’ve put together a list of things to do in Brighton for the family that are either cheap, or free.

You’d be very surprised just how much you can offer your family, with no need to break the bank.

Here goes:

All Month

Dinosaurs in Churchill Square. Thanks to a partnership with the Natural History Museum, Churchill Square shopping centre is now home to some of the most impressive animated dinos you’ll ever get to see. Price: FREE and not to be missed!

07 July

SOURCE New Music – Upcoming stars of the Brighton music scene and special guest perform at the Brighton Dome. Price: just £4 –

07 July

‘Bloomsbury in Brighton’ walking tour. Rose Collis,  author of ‘The New Encyclopaedia of Brighton’ leads a tour of Brighton that reveals the town’s artistic and creative contributors. Fans of Virginia and Leonard Woolf, Duncan Grant, Edward Le Bas and Lytton Strachey will love it! Price: 2-for-1 tickets on the day. Tickets £6.50 Meet at Brighton Museum 2pm/6pm

10 July

Johnny Boy – Young people from local education groups take the legend of Don Giovanni and give it a modern twist. Price: £6/£3 at the Brighton Dome

13 – 17 July

Young at Art 2011- Perfect for families harbouring a young artist. An exhibition that helps young people get their visions up on the walls and presented in a professional exhibition. Price: FREE

14 July

Antigone – for less than a fiver you get to see the award winning West Sussex Country Youth Theatre present its latest play, Spring Awakening, again at the Brighton Dome.

06/24 July

North Laine Summer Walks – Don’t spend the weekend in Brighton walking around aimlessly, when you can pick up a great history lesson as you wander. Price: from £3, leaves from outside the Brighton Museum

23 July

Young Artists’ Day – Drop-in events run by local talent that will inspire the junior Picassos and would-be Wagners. Price: FREE – Brighton Museum

24 July

Love it Local Summer Fair
Local arts, crafts, hippie heaven and fun for the family at the Hanover community centre. Price: Yep, it’s FREE!

And there are the downs, and Hove lawns, and the piers (well, one pier) and all the Brighton parks to explore. Check out more free stuff and free events

It just goes to show, you don’t need loadsa money when booking a Bed and Breakfast in Brighton, just a little local knowledge and a splash of imagination – oh, and don’t forget the beach: it’s cheaper than chips, it’s free!

For comprehensive what’s on and Brighton local events

Special offers on Brighton accommodation

Leaving a hotel in Brighton off on a little shopping trip? The temptation must be to get the kids doing something they love while you get right into the retail.

Bringing real dinos to Brighton

Well, shopping in Brighton’s about to take an unexpected twist next month, one which will have every member of the family excited: Dinosaurs are coming to town!

And they will be allowed in Churchill Square, thanks to an event set up in conjunction with the Natural History Museum – so don’t think for a minute these will be moth-eaten waxworks – this is the real deal, provided by the museum’s touring exhibition.

Star of the show is likely to be T-Rex. At more than four metres long and six metres tall, this pre-historic predator will dominate proceedings.

Although, the vegetarian option – an armour-plated Ankylosaurus – will also draw gasps from the kids, distracted from shopping in Brighton by the size and complexity of the plates of bone grown into its hide.

Shopping for a dinosaur?

Dotted around Churchill Square there will also be ‘touch and feel’ boxes to keep visitors busy, as well as a real T-Rex skull. And if dinosaur junior is getting a little too excited, there’s always the intimidating Oviraptor, a six-foot, bird-like dinosaur that used to pick up and carry off children – especially the disruptive ones…

There’s plenty here to keep imaginations driven wild, as Churchill Square’s Marketing Coordinator, Tara Philips pointed out: “The exhibition promises to be a truly lifelike experience which aims to transport people back to a time when dinosaurs ruled the land!”

Churchill Square is probably the best place to start shopping in Brighton: As well as being home to the bigname brands, it’s central, served by just about all the bus routes and links through to a multi-story car park.

The Dinosaur Encounter exhibition runs from 1st July to 4th September 2011 at Churchill Square Shopping Centre – and don’t worry about finding a Spendalotasaurus, the exhibition is completely free!

Grab hotel offers for the family

Some people looking to entertain the kids might think it’s too much of a party town, yet spending family weekends in Brighton you’ll soon find the town lays on lots of family friendly events, take this weekends People’s Day festival.

Slap in the middle of town thee are ten different zones to explore, stages and performances and plenty of opportunities for everyone to get involved.

People's day map

The part of town known as the North Laine area is the place to start looking for the family friendly activities. History zone, Play zone, even quiet zone can al be found within a few minutes’ walk.

And there’s a rare opportunity to get unique access to the backstage areas on a guided tour around the Theatre Royal.

There’s a stage in New Road and also one inside the Dome, where the local community groups will be performing. From Zumba dancing to Archaeology boot camps, there are activities to brighten up every kid’s day and make family weekends in Brighton a regular event.

The fun and games start at 10 a.m. so give them an early wake up, grab a bite from your Brighton B&B and get into interactive mood!

What’s on in Brighton

Let’s get this party started!

Up for a night out, it’s rare you’ll be returning to your hotel in Brighton before 2 am! Well, this weekend there is a night organised that’s guaranteed to keep you up till dawn. White Night is a celebration of the last day of British Summer time and it’s packed with arts events – and goes on all night!

From family friendly events in the Sea Life Centre to sensory light installations in the Pavilion Gardens, there’s entertainment of the oddest and maddest sort.

With a programme that runs from 18:00 on the Saturday to 07:00 on the following morning, it’s a late one…

Every landmark in town is involved: West Pier, Jubilee Square, Prince Regent until it all finishes with a jazz quartet in the Birdcage bandstand ( something to tweet about then -badoom, splash!)

Our pick of the events:

Dream Machine, in Marlborough House 20:00 – 02:00

White Light in the Brighton Dome 23:00 – 02:00

The truly bonkers Illumination Station & the Enlightenment Machine, at the Latest Music Bar 23:00 – 02:00

and the absolutely foolish Midnight Half Marathon.

Please take a look at their site. If you are thinking about booking a hotel in Brighton because you’ve been told there’s loads to do, then this is the night for you!

White Night

And for more local info about entertainment for children, try our child friendly page

There’s so much organised for this weekend in Brighton, we just had to do another post!

So, with a little help from Child Friendly Brighton & Hove we’ve got even more activities to get the kids playing and enjoying the half-term in Brighton.

Cinderella in Churchill Square

Theatre Royal Brighton present a fun-filled half term week with FREEstorytelling sessions, craft activities, competitions and a Cinderella trail. Children are invited to come in fancy dress on Friday as Cinderella herself will make an appearance! Monday 25 – Friday 29 October 11am – 4pm at Churchill Square Brighton.

Half term activities at King Alfred Leisure Centre All week from 25-30 Oct:

Mini Fun, Mini Mayhem, Artworld, Junior Fitness, Sports. Low cost activities, the age range for activities are from under 5s right through to 12-16 years. See website events calendar for details:

Spring Barn Farm Park

Come and enjoy a Spooky Halloween week on the farm. Activities take place daily from Sat 23rd – Sun 31st October.

Wear your spookiest outfit when you come to the farm on these dates.Prizes for best dressed

On the 31st theFarmhouse Kitchen will be open until 8.30pm and the farm open until 9pm so come along and enjoy the Halloween fun on the farm. Normal entry applies. A small charge will be made for face painting and pumpkin carving.

Wizard Weekend at Bluebell Railway Bluebell Railway is a heritage steam railway running through Sussex.

There will be Wizard Shows at Horsted Keynes at 11.30am, 12.30pm, 1.30pm, 2.30pm & 3.30pm, Scary Subway, Hunt the bat competition, Face Painting, Fancy Dress Competition at Horsted Keynes at 1.20pm, Scary story telling and Special train service.

For details on ticket prices and how to book please visit www.bluebell-railway.com/event/wizard-weekend/

We’ve plenty of half-term offers, take a look:

For more information from Child Friendly Brighton & Hove, visit their web site here.

Booking your family into a hotel in Brighton? We know you’re on the lookout for child-friendly places and events they can enjoy. So, we’ve teemed up with the town’s experts on the matter Child Friendly Brighton and Hove to give you a half-term heads up.

Here’s what’s happening on the coming half-term in Brighton:

This is an older post, so look here for half term events for October 2011

(Keep checking back as we will be updating this as new events are announced)

October half term week (25-31st October 2010)

Halloween Fun at Newhaven Fort – a week of Halloween themed activities for children, sounds great! 25th-31st October, 10.30am-5pm daily. Web: www.newhavenfort.org.uk

Brighton Dome – theatre show for young children: “Don’t Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus”. 29th-31st Oct. www.brightondome.org

Little Big Draw at Brighton Museum (FREE drop in and draw workshops for 2-5 year olds, as part of the “Big Draw”) – 26th October.

Mega Beasts at Booth Museum (book in advance!). My children love this! They get to meet a tarantula, giant snail, lizards and other mega beasts. 27th October. Further details are on the museum web site:

We’ve plenty half-term offers, take a look.

For more information on Child Friendly Brighton and Hove, please visit their site, a really good resource for families staying over in hotels in Brighton or just visiting for the day!

Well, just because the summer is coming to an end, doesn’t mean it’s an end to the festival season.

If you are coming to Brighton with your family, or just taking a leisurely stroll along the seafront, drop in to Brunswick Square, you’re sure to have a good time.

A festival for all the family

The Brunswick Festival now runs over two consecutive weekends, but this weekend is the one for the townsfolk.

Imagine a festival organised by residents, not event organisers; think homegrown talent and homegrown foods. It’s a local festival for local people, but everyone’s always welcome.

There’s usually a main stage for the live bands and oddball children’s entertainers, lots of food stalls and enough Reiki healers and Yoga practitioners to chill an army. Imagine it: A Yoga army! No more destruction, just very supple and well-grounded enemies – very nice end to the weekend thankyouverymuch.

You’ll find bric-a-brac stalls to rummage through, hear tunes you’ll dance to, and sample lots of home brewed beer – it was lovely the last two times we went, no doubt it will be great this weekend.

There is just one problem though: If you are visiting with your family and children, it will make you want to move to Brunswick Square, it’s lovely, and the festival is a showcase of the Brighton community at its best.

Bring a rug, bring a kaftan, bring whoever you find along the way, even bring your gran. It’s going down (peacefully) this weekend in Brunswick Square.