Shocktober Fest

Did you ever watch Goosebumps behind a couch cushion!? Daring to peek round the corner with your little heart pounding in your little chest….you were scared but excited right!?

Tulleys Farm is the grown ups Goosebumps experience minus the comfort of your sofa and unfortunately minus that safety blanket cushion. BUT 10x more exciting!

Tulleys Shocktober Fest is a world renouned Halloween event. People from all over the country travel to the crap your pants but laugh whilst you are doing it experience. Yet it’s right on our doorstep.

So what can you expect from this ghoulish visit? Start off by arriving on time or slightly beforehand as they recommend allowing yourself 4-5 hours to pack in the most amount of fun possible. Admission starts at 17.00 or 18.00 depending on the day of the week.

The setup is exactly that of a festival. Food areas, bars and live music are Halloween themed and you will encounter terrifyingly realistic zombies, creepy clowns and axe wielding psychopaths.

The main event of course is the horror attractions …..and there’s 10 of them! Each has an individual theme and the detail of these live attractions is insane. Expect a real life zombie apocalypse experience.

Standard tickets (Xscream Pass (We love it)) from £33-£45. Fast track from £53-£65. There is also a street pass available for those who want to perhaps go with a group of friends but is A big fat pussy, this gives you access to the fest but not the attractions.

This may all seem quite pricey for one evening BUT when you see the attention to detail you understand the value in the event. Decor, access, toilets, volume of actors etc…justifies the ticket price and then some.

If you are planning a visit I would really recommend investing a little extra in a fast pass. Does what it says on the tin and saves on so much on air time giving you more opportunity to see more attractions and soak up the experience.

One last tip…. take an extra pair of tighty whities….you are going to need them.

Book your tickets here: https://tulleyshalloween.digitickets.co.uk/event-tickets

Give Me, Give Me Moor

Having just returned from a long weekend at The New Forrest I have found that I am just not done with that beautiful moorland landscape. Luckily a friend of mine stumbled across this gem of a location by chance and I knew I had to share it with you guys!

Lords Piece is located just east of Fittleworth West Sussex (7km west of Pulborough) and there are two car parks on either end which are easy to access AND FREE.

Rumour has it that the heathland is home to a very rare species of field cricket (I’ve googled image searched it….it ain’t pretty.)

This heathland landscape is a refreshing change from the rolling green hills of the South Downs we are used to and I can imagine that as autumn is on its way it would make for a great rolling-in-golden-leaves picnic spot. The sun was so bright that the photos really do not do the beautiful purple heather any justice.

The walk is a circular one with lots of opportunities to take cut through short cuts if you are not walking inclined. We spent about an hour here and did not see one single person, it was deserted, we had the whole place to ourselves.

Well worth checking out this little patch of heather heaven. Stick it into your Satnav and go! Address: Lords Piece, Pulborough, RH20

Pick Up A Pumpkin

Don’t cop out and purchase your pumpkin from a huge chain supermarket this year….where’s the fun in waiting in line for Linda to open till number 9?!

Go forage, pick your own, or purchase your pumpkin in style. Halloween is only once a year so don’t be a witch! Make the most of some of the great pumpkin patches in our area.

Sompting pumpkin patch-

There are wheelbarrows to push your pumpkins around in, Halloween crafts, fun activities for the kids and a little food and drink stall for refreshments.

For the (Insta)grammers or those looking for cute autumn family shots, they have a very photogenic house made out of pumpkins!

Slindon Pumpkin Farm

My personal favourite as pooches are welcome and let’s be honest… were you EVEN at a pumpkin farm if you didnt post a picture of your dog dressed as a pumpkin?!

Slindon pumpkin farm has been creating muriels for 50 years and this years display is rumoured to be made with a mere 1800 pumpkins.

Tulleys Farm

Not just open in the evenings for the world famous crap your pants shock fest.

Tulleys farm is a working farm and has an extensive pumpkin patch for you to scout out with a total of 12 acres, producing around 75,000 pumpkins! That’s a lot of carving.

Though the pumpkins from my suggested locations may be a little more pricey than your bog standard Tesco’s job the value of the Halloween experiences far out way the couple of quid more.

All these experiences are free entry so make the most of this glorious time of year. So, don’t be a bumpkin, go pick ya own pumpkin!

Lord Of The Rings

Head for the hills for freebie killer views and if you are lucky a close encounter with some pretty tame New Forrest ponies.

Cissbury Ring is a Sussex landmark on the South Downs. It is treasured for its beauty, its history and its views. This National Trust walk is located North of Worthing in the village of Findon.

These killer views over Worthing and beyond are only set to get more dramatic as autumn rolls in and that greenery turns that mm mmm mmmm golden and fire red hues.

We were lucky enough to have several close encounters with the local New Forrest ponies who really don’t appear to be fazed by too much so made for a sweet photo op.

Having been to Cissbury a few times I would say watch out for the weather as it does get windy up there! If there is a bluster on ground level expect that bluster to be a full blown gale up on the ring.

Overall a nice little hike worth getting off your butt and going out for!

More information: https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/cissbury-ring

Boats and Rows

With autumn drawing closer its time to hit that summer bucket list hard.

With romantic (The) Notebook vibes in mind one point on my to do list was to rent a rowing boat.

I chose to keep it local to me and headed to Swanbourne Lake in Arundel. The boats are still available to hire for 30 mins at a time. £4 per adult.

Top tip curtesy of our last minute panic purchase is to take some duck feed out on whatever lake you are on. The ducks and swans love it and we ended up nearly getting swarmed and loosing a few fingers!

An added note about Swanbourne itself is that its got a few scenic walks you can take. The most popular is about a 20 minute paved stroll around the actual lake. There is a cute little café if you fancy a beverage and an ice cream hut where we bought our duck feed.

So go grab a pedal-o, row boat, or canoe and enjoy what’s left of the summer sun on the water!

Up

I love the iconic Bristol balloon festival but, who has the funds to trek it to the west country for one day eh? Or to Turkey for THAT iconic Instagram shot?

I have found a great alternative here in West Sussex!

The 28th annual Wisborough Green Charity Hot-Air Balloon Festival, is taking place this year over two days. On Saturday 31st August and Sunday 1st September 2019.

Multiple balloons will be launching from the village, at 6am and 6pm on both days.

Wisborough Green is a village and civil parish in the Chichester district of West Sussex, England, 2 miles west of Billingshurst on the A272 road. Just stick Wisborough Green in the SatNav!

Look it UP: http://www.wisboroughgreen.org/product/charity-balloon-lift-off/

A Night In Paris

Bonjour. Looking for something a little different for date night?

Angmering manner is located in the heart of Angmering village and hosts a French night every Thursday. Booking is essential as I had to wait a week to get our table, but, was it worth the wait?

Yes!…….Upon entering we were greeted by a young gent’ in full French get up including a comical drawn on moustache, beret, and a garland of garlic around his neck. I appreciate this is full blown in your face stereotyping but for a novelty fun night, it’s bang on point.

The dinner set up is towards the back of the dining room over looking a pretty charming garden. The tables are dressed in checked linen and little fun French flags. French music plays quietly plays in the background.

But to the food.

I was hoping for the full-on French experience of snails and frogs legs, alas, there was none to be had! I imagine the demand for that type of menu would be low. But they do offer some pretty frenchy options.

We started with French onion soup which was pretty damn good and was topped with a giant floating, cheesy crouton. We also tried the pate! It was good, but nothing to write home about.

The selection of mains is decent. Offering chicken, beef, fish and of course a vegetarian option. We opted for the steak frites and though we weren’t asked how we would like our steak, it was really reeeeeally good.

Overall if you are a MASSIVE thoroughbred foodie this might not be the evening for you BUT if you like good food, having a laugh and trying something new I would HIGHLEY recommend booking your table.

AU REVOIR!

2 Course meal £19.00 per person

3 Course meal £23.00 per person

Both include a glass of complimentary glass of wine. Cheers.

Website link: https://angmeringmanor.southcoastinns.co.uk/index.php

The Not So Secret Cinemas

Every year I plan on attending a Secret Cinema event. It looks so exciting, different, a unique experience. Every year I go to purchase a ticket……. but then I don’t. Tickets are expensive (usually £60-£100+) plus the cost of travel to get to an event in London can be a real added expense.

However rather than sulk in my relatively poor person despair I have compiled for you a collection of outdoor cinema events a quarter of the price and local to our area! Let’s go through some cinema you can watch under the stars.

Thank Screen On The Green is returning for its 6th year on Littlehamptons beach green.

Free event this weekend is Littlehamptons Screen On The Green Saturday 17th. It’s a cost-free event located on the sea front. All you need to bring is a blanket and some booze. I’m not personally keen on the fixture this year which is Hairspray but the atmosphere is great and you can take pooches along which is always a bonus in my books. Food stalls are open from 19:00 and the film begins just after sun down at 20:30. As it is not ticketed, I would recommend turning up a little earlier to secure the perfect view of the giant 40ft inflatable screen.

Another event I am attending is a paid one. An outdoor viewing of Mama Mia 2 is on Tuesday 20th at the Weald & Downland Living Museum just outside of Chichester. Tickets as of now are still available and an adult ticket is £15. I am taking my mum along as it is her favourite film (I’m packing tissues), she makes a mean picnic and she doesn’t drink so she can be designated driver which is handy as I will be getting into the spirit with…..some spirits. Cheers. Weald & Downland Living Museum does host outdoor cinema events over the entire summer period and so check out the link below to browse what’s on.

My mum legitimately believes this is us….im packing the tissues as its going to be a happy tears atrocity.

Just outside our jurisdiction of West Sussex, but its Brighton (our honouree city) so it’s worth a mention is the Luna Beach Presents. With 3 viewings a day and featuring films from the likes of As Star Is Born, Sing Along Bohemian Rhapsody and Dumbo. Standard Admission is £12.50 and you can upgrade to a sunchair seat or even VIP beach hut.

CineStock specialise in outdoor cinema events and are set up for viewings at Holbrook Club in Horsham. Mama Mia is the August feature and Jurassic Park and Bohemian Rhapsody in September. A nice touch to this event is they set up live music which plays until the sun has set and dark enough for the films to begin. This is not an open forum and Jurassic Park is the best film ever and so I’m making my ticket purchase in advance (£12.00).

These are just a few examples of the many open-air cinemas available in our local area and you don’t have to spend big bucks to get a big experience.

Like, share and comment with other open-air events you would recommend.

Littlehampton: http://www.visitlittlehampton.co.uk/whats-on/screen-on-the-green/

http://www.visitlittlehampton.co.uk/whats-on/screen-on-the-green/
http://www.visitlittlehampton.co.uk/whats-on/screen-on-the-green/

Chichester: https://www.wealddown.co.uk/events/summer-season-cultural-evenings-of-film-theatre-music-opera/

https://www.wealddown.co.uk/events/summer-season-cultural-evenings-of-film-theatre-music-opera/

Brighton: https://thelunabeachcinema.seetickets.com/tour/luna-beach-cinema/default/1/200

Horsham: https://www.cinestock.co.uk/outdoor-cinema/2019-venues#outdoor-cinema/holbrook-club-2019-section

Pack A Picnic And Go

The ‘get off your butt and go’ destination for this weekend is Leonardslee Lake & Gardens.

Leonardslee Gardens re-opened to the public earlier on this year, and oh my word it looks like alot of love and hard work went into restoring it.

The garden was orginally first planted in 1801. So as you can imagine there are some pretty big-ol’ trees to admire if you are into it, but also a deer park, wallabies, multiple walking trails and the jewel in the crown lake, with inhabitants that include carp and wildfowl.

Every walking trail has its own personality and you really do feel as though you are walking from world region to world region.

So if walking aint your boo, they also have a beautiful stately like house and café with high tea and food available. I am planning on taking my mum and nan pretty soon.

Entry is £12 per adult and children £6.50. I did initially think this was a little pricey but for the experiance and, bearing in mind you can realistically spend a whole day exploring it is SO worth the dollar.

Find more information on https://www.leonardsleegardens.co.uk

Wash out weather? Hakuna-Matata.

This weekend is looking like a washout weather wise BUT take it as the perfect opportunity to cozy on down in a local, small or independent cinema!

Worthing Dome’s Screen 1

Ditch the over priced and over air conditioned big chain theatres (Cine-who?) and relive your childhood doing it right. The current cinema line up is a throw back hotspot at the moment so re experiance the wonder of The Lion King or Toy Story 4 in the right setting.

This post is featuring Worthing Dome which is one of the oldest working cinemas in England. An Edwardian building full of character and charm which is the perfect setting to dramatise your cinematic experience.

Supporting your local small cinema wont only benefit your viewing experience but will also keep these stunning establishments in business. Do you remember the up roar when Bognor’s Picturedrome nearly went under? ……..”A typical don’t know what you got till its gone” scenario. So visit!

I have listed cinemas all over West Sussex and Brighton so think Hakuna Matata and book your tickets (Almost certain to be half the price of you know who) this weekend!

Worthing- Worthing dome https://domeonline.co.uk/DomeCinema.dll/

Bognor Regis- The Picturedrome Bognor http://www.picturedromebognor.com/

Littlehampton- The Windmill http://windmillcinema.co.uk/WindmillCinema.dll/Home

Horsham- The Capital https://thecapitolhorsham.com/ Everyman https://www.everymancinema.com/

Haywards Heath – Orion http://www.orioncinema.com/

Midhurst- Hazelmere Hall http://www.haslemerehall.co.uk/cinema/