A Guide to Half Term Activities in Wittering & Chichester
With February half term just around the corner, you may be planning a getaway with family or friends and looking for inspiration to make the most of the school holidays. As the winter weather can be unpredictable at this time of year, we’ve put together a selection of activities close to Wittering and the Chichester area in West Sussex. From indoor attractions to outdoor adventures, there’s something to keep little ones entertained whatever the weather brings.
West Wittering Beach & East Head
February half term is a lovely time to escape to the coast. The beaches are quieter, the air is fresh and bracing, and there’s plenty to do if you’re happy to wrap up warm and embrace a bit of outdoor adventure. A winter walk along West Wittering Beach is hard to beat. Let the kids run free across the wide sands, explore the dunes at East Head, or simply enjoy a peaceful stroll with the sound of the waves.
Coastal Walks
February is perfect for slow, scenic walks. Wander along the local beaches or follow coastal paths around Chichester Harbour for a peaceful ramble. With fewer crowds, it’s a great time to spot harbour seabirds and soak up the beauty of the landscape without the summer bustle.
Cycle Rides
Exploring by bike is a wonderful way to see the area. Follow picturesque routes such as the Centurion Way or Salterns Way, weaving through rolling countryside, woodland trails and coastal paths. It’s ideal for families and a brilliant way to burn off some holiday energy.
Surfing & Watersports
The Witterings are well known for surfing and stand-up paddleboarding, and half term can be a fantastic time to give it a go.
The Beach Bracklesham Surf Club offers relaxed, high-quality surf experiences on the beautiful Sussex shoreline for both adults and children. Whether you’re stepping onto a board for the first time or looking to build confidence in the water, their friendly and experienced coaches run small-group lessons, private sessions and social surfs for locals and visitors to the area. Each session is tailored to the conditions and the group, creating a supportive and fun environment for complete beginners and returning surfers alike.
All surf lessons include equipment, so you can simply turn up, get suited up and enjoy time together in the sea. It’s a wonderfully memorable way to add a sense of adventure to your coastal break — and perfect for families keen to try something new.
🌟 Special Offer for Our Guests 🌟
Use code WELLIES10 at checkout to enjoy 10% off all surf sessions and services — the perfect way to make your seaside adventure even sweeter.
After a bracing walk, bike ride or surf session, there’s nothing better than warming up with something delicious. The Witterings area is full of welcoming spots perfect for refuelling after a wintery beach adventure.
☕ Cafés & Hot Chocolates
Pop into one of the local cafés in Wittering or Bracklesham for a steaming mug of hot chocolate, a comforting latte or a selection of freshly baked pastries. These relaxed cafés are ideal for families — sandy boots and rosy cheeks very welcome.
Our top favourites include:
🍽 Seaside Pub Lunches
For something heartier, settle into a cosy seaside pub and enjoy classic comfort food such as homemade soups, fish and chips or locally sourced Sunday roasts. Many pubs feature roaring log fires and a friendly, laid-back atmosphere — perfect for unwinding after a chilly coastal walk.
Our top favourites include:
🍰 Sweet Treats
Finish the day with something sweet, whether it’s a scoop of local ice cream or a slice of cake from a nearby bakery. Even in February, there’s something special about enjoying a treat while watching the waves roll in.
Brownie Bay in East Wittering is a firm favourite, offering a wonderful selection of delicious brownies.
A cosy pit stop is the perfect way to round off a winter’s day at the Witterings — creating memories, warming up, and leaving everyone happy and content.
Looking for exciting ways to keep the whole family entertained this February half term? The Chichester area is packed with fantastic indoor activities, family attractions and special events to suit all ages.
Bowling, Laser Quest & Escape Rooms – Tenpin Chichester
For family-friendly entertainment in Chichester, Tenpin is a one-stop destination for non-stop fun. With an impressive 26 bowling lanes, there’s plenty of space for everyone to join in. Beyond bowling, you’ll find a wide range of activities to keep all ages entertained.
Sing your heart out in one of two private karaoke rooms with thousands of songs to choose from, take on a thrilling sci-fi laser tag adventure complete with special effects, or put your problem-solving skills to the test in one of three themed escape rooms.
Cinema – Cineworld Chichester
Cineworld Chichester is a modern 10-screen multiplex showing all the latest releases. Located at Chichester Gate, it’s close to the city centre and surrounded by a variety of eateries, making it ideal for a family day out. Free parking is available for up to three hours.
Chichester Festival Theatre – The Koala Who Could
Tuesday 17 – Sunday 22 February
Based on the award-winning book by Rachel Bright and Jim Field, The Koala Who Could is a heart-warming and humorous story about taking chances and embracing change. This uplifting stage adaptation is perfect for families and young children, delivering plenty of laughs alongside an empowering message.
Flip Out – Chichester’s Ultimate Indoor Trampoline & Adventure Park
Burn off some energy at Flip Out, the largest adventure trampoline park in Sussex. With attractions for all ages, from soft play areas for under 5s to trampolines and challenges for teens and adults, there’s something for everyone to enjoy in a safe, weather-proof environment.
Laser Show Extravaganza – Chichester Canal Basin
Enjoy a magical evening at the FREE Laser Show Extravaganza at Chichester Canal Basin. Lasers will light up the night sky on Friday 20 and Saturday 21 February 2026, creating an unforgettable display.
Wrap up warm and enjoy food and drink stalls, or refreshments from the Canal Café. Parking is available in city centre car parks.
The event starts at 5pm, with laser shows taking place at 6pm, 7pm and 8pm.
Arundel Wetland Centre – Mudfest 2026
February 14 – 21, 2026 | 10am – 4pm
Pull on your wellies and embrace the muddy magic of wetlands this February half term at Mudfest 2026. Enjoy a full week of hands-on activities where mud isn’t just messy — it’s marvellous.
Families can cook up creations in the mud kitchen, sculpt wetland creatures from clay and natural materials, splash through puddles, make seed bombs to take home, and test their aim in the mud-slinging contest.
Regular admission applies, with free entry for WWT members. No booking is required, and visitors can save 10% by booking tickets online.
February half term is the perfect time to get creative, and there are some fantastic arts and crafts activities on offer for children and families in the area.
The Gnarly Tree – Screen Printing Workshops (East Dean)
Try your hand at screen printing this February half term at The Gnarly Tree’s creative workshop in East Dean. These fun, hands-on sessions allow children to design and print their very own item to take home.
Participants will choose a garment, select a design, pick their ink colour, and learn the basics of screen printing in a relaxed and supportive studio environment. It’s a brilliant way for children to express their creativity while learning a new skill.
Workshops take place on 14, 16, 17 and 18 February, with each session lasting around one hour. A small non-refundable booking deposit of £10 per child is required to secure a place, with the remaining cost paid on the day depending on what is printed.
Places are limited, so early booking is recommended. Available time slots can be viewed and booked online.
Pallant House Gallery – Build a Theatre in a Box
Inspired by classic stories such as Peter Pan and Cinderella, step into the magical world of pantomime and create your very own theatre in a box at Pallant House Gallery. With guidance from an experienced artist educator, children will paint, craft and collage a miniature stage complete with sets, curtains, props and even lighting.
Once the theatre is complete, participants will learn how to create mini characters to bring their creation to life. From pumpkins, fairies, pirates and crocodiles to characters from their own imagination, the possibilities are endless.
Workshops take place on Wednesday 18 February 2026, with two sessions available:
These creative workshops offer a wonderful opportunity for children to explore storytelling, design and hands-on making during the February half term.
Step back in time this February half term with a range of fascinating museum experiences and hands-on history activities for the whole family.
Amberley Museum – Communications Adventure
Enjoy a fun-filled communications-themed adventure at Amberley Museum this February half term. To celebrate the many anniversaries in 2026 linked to communication in all its forms, the museum is hosting a brand-new family trail alongside themed craft activities.
From Wednesday 18 to Friday 20 February (11am–2pm), families can take part in hands-on craft sessions where children can create their own handheld communication devices.
On Thursday 19 February, visitors can also try the traditional craft of woodturning with the West Sussex Woodturners and take home a small wooden keepsake (a £2 charge per person applies).
The Pottery Studio with Nancy Scantlebury-Thompson runs daily, inviting children to unleash their creativity with clay by making beetles and bugs to take home and paint (£2.50 per session).
Activities run from 18–22 February, 10am–4.30pm, with general admission prices applying.
Fishbourne Roman Palace – Live Like a Roman
16–20 February | 10am–4pm
Travel back nearly 2,000 years with Fishbourne Roman Palace’s Live Like a Roman half-term programme. Home to some of the finest Roman mosaics in Britain, the palace offers a week of immersive, hands-on activities designed especially for families.
Explore the recreated Roman gardens, admire the remarkable mosaic floors and even dress up as a Roman while enjoying a different themed activity each day:
Weald & Downland Living Museum – A Very Victorian Half Term
Tuesday 17 – Thursday 19 February
Step into Victorian rural life at the Weald & Downland Living Museum and experience what childhood was really like in the 19th century. Across three immersive days, families can take part in strict school lessons, household chores and traditional games as part of a full programme of hands-on Victorian activities.
Expect to work hard — Victorian children were very much expected to be seen and not heard!
✔ Check local listings closer to February for the most up-to-date event details.
✔ Book ahead where possible, as popular venues and activities can fill up quickly.
✔ Some activities are weather dependent, so it’s always worth planning an indoor backup.