The Going Out Awards

Best Family Day Out – sponsored by Papa John’s

Blessed with both the countryside and the sea, Sussex is a perfect haven for families who want to spend as little as possible on a day out.

But we want to hear about those venues and attractions which provide a great experience and good value for money, while keeping the whole family happy – whether it’s a farm park or a crazy golf course.

THE SHORTLIST

Sea Life Centre, Brighton

SET in the arches supporting Marine Parade’s famous terraces, the world’s oldest operating aquarium is not only a fascinating visit for a budding oceanographer, but a beautiful use of space too.

This year saw the opening of the new Rainforest Adventure, featuring water dragons, poison dart frogs and piranhas.

Since 2010 the centre was the first to offer glass bottom boat rides over its giant tank, to see giant turtles, tropical sharks and reef fish.

Drusillas Park, Alfriston

THIS year Drusillas Park welcomed Japanese icon Hello Kitty to open a secret garden at its ever-growing list of attractions.

She joined Thomas And Friends which has a rail line going around the park, and a menagerie of exotic animals, ranging from red pandas and meerkats to penguins and tamarins.

The park also hosts regular events days during the school holidays, with visits from the Fat Controller, Scooby Doo and various creepy crawlies.

Palace Pier, Brighton

BRIGHTON’S Grade II listed pier is still the most popular visitor attraction in the city.

And part of that is its suitability for all the family – whether the plan is to ride the giant Booster or Wild River flume at the seaward end of the pier, play the fruit machines, win a prize on the Dolphin Derby or simply have a long stroll over the water accompanied by a doughnut or ice cream.

Royal Pavilion Ice Rink, Brighton

PATSY PALMER, Ronan Keating, Norman Cook and Zoe Ball were among the famous faces testing out the temporary ice outside Brighton’s iconic landmark this year.

The outdoor rink opened once more this month, and is still proving as popular as ever – supported by the pop-up Hardings restaurant alongside.

The ice is remaining in Brighton until January – offering Christmas parties throughout December. Its continued popularity adds to the continuing call for a permanent ice rink in the city.

Q Leisure, Albourne

CELEBRATING its 21st birthday this year, Q Leisure offers go karts and quad bikes for young petrolheads.

And grown-ups can enjoy a variety of activities, ranging from 4x4 off-road driving to clay pigeon shooting to paintball. It’s also popular for corporate entertaining and stag and hen parties.

Young drivers can join the Kids Karting Club which teaches them the disciplines of motor sport and gives driving experience in a safe environment.

AND THE WINNER IS... Q Leisure, Albourne, West Sussex

Lloyd Peacock celebrated his 31st birthday yesterday. Today the Q Leisure co-director’s family business has been named Best Family Day Out in the Going Out Awards.

“It’s a bit of a shock,” he says, “We were shortlisted against some big players and we class ourselves as a small family run business – so it is great news.”

Peacock runs the activity centre in West Sussex with his father, mother and two siblings, whose partners occasionally get roped into shifts.

Lloyd’s father Peter started Q Leisure in 2000 on an overgrown field near Albourne.

Almost 15 years later there is a paintball centre and barn with a restaurant to go with the acitivites including go karting, quad bikes, archery and clay pigeon shooting.It has taken a lot of dedication and hard work to get where we are – but I think that’s why we won.

“The karting is the main event and kids from eight years old can do that. The track is open on Sundays for anyone to come and if don’t want to join the karting you can have coffee in restaurant while the kids are on the track.”

THE SPONSORS - Papa John’s

As a high school student working at a local pizza pub in Jeffersonville, Indiana, Papa John's founder John Schnatter felt there was something missing from national pizza chains – a superior-quality traditional pizza delivered right to the customer's door.

His dream was to one day open a pizza restaurant that would fill that void.

John picked up his business degree from Ball State University and went back to Jeffersonville, Indiana. In 1984, at the age of 22, he knocked down the broom closet of his father's tavern (Mick's Lounge), purchased $1600 worth of used restaurant equipment, and began delivering pizzas out of the back of the bar.

From day one, John knew he could make a better pizza by using fresh dough and superior-quality ingredients, and he refused to sway from that commitment to quality. It worked, and people loved his pizza.

In 1984, John opened his first Papa John's restaurant, and Papa John's has been going strong ever since. Today, Papa John's is the recognized leader of the pizza category and now owns or franchises approximately 4,200 restaurants in all 50 states and 35 countries.

Almost 30 years later, one thing remains the same – Papa John's is still fully committed to delivering on its brand promise of "Better Ingredients. Better Pizza."

"Making a quality pizza using Better Ingredients has been the foundation of Papa John's for more than 25 years. You have my commitment that Papa John's will not stray from the foundation of quality & superiority upon which the company was built. We will always strive to be your 'Better' Pizza Company."

Order online: www.papajohns.co.uk/