Plumpton College

When you’re not heading for the hills around the site on South Downs strolls, look to the market town of Lewes for local things to do: this traditional spot has one of the UK’s oldest outdoor pools, along with a 16th-century castle and a handful of must-see museums. If you’re one for getting wet, you could also indulge in a bit of wild swimming in the Cuckmere River. Rather admire aquatic attractions than submerge yourself in them? Amble around the Arlington reservoir instead. For a complete change of scenery, get to Glyndebourne (20 minutes) for opera performances in a 600-year-old stately home, then make a beeline for Brighton and modern entertainment options, from comedy shows to nightclubbing. Swing by the Eastern-inspired pavilion as well – a building Queen Victoria referred to as ‘strange’ – and pull up a striped deckchair on the pebbly Brighton beach for a breather. If you’re up for more coastal explores, head to Seven Sisters Country Park and take on some of the clifftop walks, detouring to Drusillas Park along the way to see animals ranging from scarlet ibis to sloths. This is also Europe’s first Hello Kitty-themed attraction – purrfect news if you have any fans of the feline character in your family.