Hailsham Bypass, Hailsham, BN27 3GD
Knockhatch Adventure Park in Hailsham is one of those places that manages to keep kids buzzing from the moment they arrive to the second they’re bundled into the car at the end of the day.
Set in the East Sussex countryside, the park offers a lovely range of animals, play zones, gentle rides and active attractions all wrapped up in a setting that feels refreshingly unpretentious. It’s not flashy or overly commercial, but it delivers on its promise of giving families a full, affordable and fun day out.
The park is split into several themed zones, which helps break up the day and keeps little ones interested. The animal areas are a major highlight, especially for younger children. The farm section includes goats, pigs, alpacas and the usual suspects. You can buy a cup of food to feed them.
There is also a small zoo area. Meerkats, otters, wallabies and parrots all make an appearance, and the owl displays give kids a chance to learn something in between all the running around. The animal enclosures are well-kept and accessible and there’s a strong sense that the staff genuinely care about the welfare of the animals.
For those looking for action, the park is packed with play areas. Dragon Castle, a large adventure playground, is one of the standout features with its bridges, turrets, zip wires and slides, offering a castle-like structure kids can climb and explore. There’s also a smaller wooden adventure playground nearby and plenty of open space to run off steam.
The indoor options are equally appealing. Two large soft play zones keep things interesting if the weather turns. One is dinosaur-themed with very high slides (one is basically a vertical drop), climbing areas and a Dino Drop ride. The theming in here was fantastic. The other soft play zone caters more to younger children with ball pits and padded obstacles.
Sessions in the indoor areas are timed, which helps manage crowding and keeps everything feeling clean and safe, though it does mean some planning is required to fit everything in.
In terms of rides, Knockhatch focuses on family-friendly attractions rather than big thrill rides, which suits its core audience of toddlers through to pre-teens. There’s a small rollercoaster, a tractor ride, a Jurassic Park-style simulator and a few spinning rides. Nothing too intense, but enough to get a few squeals and keep the energy high. Older children might find the rides a bit tame, especially teenagers, but that’s not really who the park is targeting.
One of the more unique elements is the water play. The Splash Pad and rowing lake offer a nice change of pace, especially on warm days. The Wave Runner 2 family water coast is a real highlight with four water slides with twist, turns and drops. The kids also loved the slides at the Splash Pad and the changing rooms were an added convenience.
Seasonal extras like the climbing wall, quad bikes and go karts come with a small extra cost and are only available during weekends and school holidays, but they’re a nice bonus for those visiting at peak times.
Food options are straightforward and fairly priced. There’s the usual mix of burgers, chips and jacket potatoes, along with indoor and outdoor seating areas. For families who prefer to bring their own food, there are plenty of picnic benches and a covered barn area where you can eat in the dry. It’s all very low-key, but it works.
Knockhatch’s biggest strength is its variety. It offers just enough of everything to fill a day without feeling overwhelming. It’s particularly well-suited to families with kids under 12 who want an active day out without spending a fortune.
Planning ahead is a must, especially if indoor play is a priority or if you’re hoping to catch one of the animal talks or special activities. And remember to bring trousers, socks and a T-shirt for the high slides, due to friction burn. There is a sign to say that you can buy these items of clothing at the shop but the shop was closed when we visited.
We also found that the Jumping Pillows were fun but extremely dirty, so it’s worth bringing an extra pair of socks and some baby wipes.
Overall, Knockhatch Adventure Park is a fun, well-run family attraction. It might not have the gloss of some bigger theme parks, but it more than makes up for it with heart, good value and an atmosphere that feels relaxed and welcoming.
Families leave tired but happy, which is pretty much the gold standard for any day out with children.
Knockhatch review – 4 stars
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