South Downs Dark Skies Festival and tour 2020

Dates: Friday 7th February 2020 – Sunday 23rd February 2020

Time: 4-8pm

Addresses: 

Saturday 8 February – Midhurst Rother College, Midhurst, West Sussex

Saturday 15 February  – Steyning Grammar School, Steyning, West Sussex

Tuesday 18 February – Festival Hall, Petersfield, Hampshire

Thursday 20 February – The Town Hall, Lewes

Now in its fourth year, the South Downs Dark Skies festival celebrates the wonderful night skies of the National Park with two weeks of star parties, talks and family activities.

Stargazing South Downs – 2020 Roadshow

The popular – and free – Stargazing South Downs event, will be going on tour during February half term week to  venues in West Sussex, East Sussex and Hampshire (See details above). No matter what the weather is outside, you can still come and learn about the amazing dark skies in the National Park.

2020’s events will include indoor planetarium shows, a giant ‘dark night skies’ colouring wall, talks about the planets, the stars and nocturnal wildlife, science demonstrations, and, if the night is clear, the opportunity to go outside and take part in some moon-gazing with the experts.

Worthing Running Festival

Date: Sunday 9th February 2020

Time: 9am-1.30pm 

Address: Worthing town and Worthing promenade 

Tickets: Entry from £9 for the Fun Run up to £37.50 for the Worthing Half Marathon

The Worthing Running Festival consists of the Worthing Half, Worthing 10000 and Worthing Mini Mile. Super fast, closed road, flat course by the sea. Half marathon runners navigate their way round the town for several miles before heading out West along the seafront and returning back along the promenade. Perfect pre-London, Brighton and other Spring marathon.

Ford Airfield Market & Car Boot Sale

Date: Sundays (Market and Car boot sale), Thursday and Saturdays (Car boot only)

Time: Sundays 8.30am, Thursday and Saturdays 7.30am

Address: Ford Airfield Market and Car Boot Fair, Ford, Nr Arundel, West Sussex BN18 0FL

Tickets: Entry free for buyers and from £10 for sellers

Ford Airfield Market & Car Boot Sale is a weekly Market & Car Boot Sale held on Sundays from 8.30 am on Ford Airfield, near Arundel. 

One man’s trash is another man’s treasure as they say! A great morning out sifting through bargains with the family is sure to garner plenty of laughs and you might actually find something worthy of a place in your home. 

On a serious note, why buy new when you can buy a perfectly good item at the local car boot sale?  Extend the life of any number of goodies – from household appliances, through to bargain music and books, there’s always something for everyone. 

There’s also car boot only sales (no market) on Thursdays and Saturdays – see website for details: https://www.fordairfieldmarket.co.uk/

The Lancing Village Market

This great market runs four times a year, with the next date being Friday 10th April 2020 for the Easter market. 

Selling local Sussex produce, the market takes place in North Road, Lancing between 9am and 2pm. There’s also food stalls and local community groups promoting more great events – so well worth a visit. 

Seven Sisters coastal – The Chalk Cliffs of Sussex 21km Day Hike

Date: Saturday 25th January 2020 

Time: 8.15am – 7pm

Address and meeting time details: See meetup site

Cost: £28 per person

Come and join Outdooraholics for their most popular day hike and ‘the most exhilarating coastal hike in the South East of England’, with breathtaking views of the striking and dramatic white cliffs. 

A good proportion of the hike is up high on the cliffs, as they look down over the sea beneath. 

On the 25th of January, the group is off to Sussex to hike the classic Seven Sisters hike from Seaford to Eastbourne, a hike Outdooraholics have been organising for nearly seven years and have had over 65 wonderful trips there.

It’s a 13 mile hike (about 5.5 – 6.5 hours of hiking – with a planned train arrival time back into London after the hike of 7pm). Outdooraholics has a group train ticket and you are committed for the day until that time.

Trip Highlights:

• Hike one of the most spectacular coastal hikes in England
• A great physical challenge with several easy options to shorten if needed
• Enjoy amazing views over the coastline for much of this hike
• Finish in Eastbourne – England’s sunniest town
• Explore the South Downs National Park – the newest in the UK
• Photos – All photos were taken by Outdooraholics

Find out more at: https://www.meetup.com/Outdooraholics/events/266994515/ 

February half time fun at Scotney Castle

There’s some great events for kids and adults alike at Scotney Castle throughout half term – with something for every taste! 

Murder Mystery Trail

Date: Sat 15 – Sun 23 Feb 

Time: 11am-5pm

Address: Lamberhurst, Tunbridge Wells TN3 8JN

Cost: £2 per trail

There’s been a murder in the mansion at Scotney Castle and they need your help in solving the crime. Pick up your trail sheet and start looking for clues. 

Photography for kids

Date: Thu 20th February 

Time: 10.30am-1pm

Cost: £39 per child. Booking essential.

For ages 7-11, join Sharp Shots at Scotney Castle and learn how to use a digital camera, using the garden as your classroom.

Photography for teens

Date: Thu 20th February 

Time: 2pm-4.30pm

Cost: £45 per teen. Booking essential.

For ages 12-25, teens will learn how to capture Scotney Castle’s beautiful setting, whilst understanding how their camera works.