IF YOU are looking for free things to do in and around Brighton this half-term, look no further – here are seven of the best that will not break the bank.

Brighton Palace Pier

The most popular free attraction outside London continues to be popular with locals and tourists alike, attracting millions of visitors every year.

With fairground rides at the end and amusements and stalls throughout, the 525m long pier is the perfect place to see some beautiful views of the city, while relaxing on the free deckchairs.

The beach is also a perfect place to go – why not visit some of its 15 artists’ studios or take a ride on the Volk’s Railway.

Parks

There’s no shortage of parks and walks in Brighton – Stanmer Park is full of plants and wildlife, and the perfect place to go for a walk with the family to take in the views and the history that Stanmer House and Stanmer Church have to offer.

St Ann’s Well Gardens in Hove is full of native and exotic trees and features a scented garden for the visually impaired and fenced off nature conservation areas.

The Devil’s Dyke on the South Downs could be the perfect country walk, with an Iron Age hill fort and incredible panoramic views of Sussex.

Museums and galleries

There are a plethora of free museums and galleries, such as Hove Museum and Art Gallery. It has displays on Hove’s participation in the birth of cinema with magic lanterns, cameras, and footage from filmmakers of the 1890s and 1900s, and an interactive toy gallery with a wizard’s workshop for broken toys and a bedroom split between the modern day and Victorian times.

There’s also the Booth Museum in Dyke Road, Brighton, a Victorian collectors’ treasure trove full of natural history interactive displays and activities – birds, bones, and butterflies galore.

Back on the seafront, Brighton Fishing Museum can teach you all you need to know about the history of the fishing industry and beach leisure trade of Brighton, with exhibitions on boats and fishing artefacts, and archive and contemporary film.

Arundel

Just 20 miles outside Brighton is the town of Arundel, which is full of quirky independent shops, art galleries, and historic walking tours.

There’s also Arundel Castle, which still has some of its 11th century features, and which underwent a huge restoration project completed in 1900.

Royal Pavilion

The Royal Pavilion is a must-see, as well as its gardens.

Built for King George IV between 1787 and 1823, the Grade I listed building is known for its historic Indian style and has been a civic building, World War One hospital and holiday home for royals. The gardens surrounding it are the only fully restored Regency gardens in the country. The gardens make for a perfect wander, and if you’re lucky there might be buskers and street entertainers to watch and enjoy.

Brighton Marina

Europe’s largest man-made marina isn’t just for people looking to shop.

Laughing Dog has an art gallery showing a range of constantly changing artists, and there is free outdoor ping pong and giant chess boards.

Science Festival

Brighton Science Festival is putting on an entire week of events this week in its Hands-On Half Term event, designed to keep children busy. There is a Pocket Science Funfair, a session with the Marine Conservation Society, and moon-gazing on Brighton Seafront.

There’s also a sci-fi escape room and Lego WeDo robot workshops, as well as an introduction to Python programming and Raspberry Pi computers.

For those who are more into the history of evolution, Are We Nearly Here Yet? will take you through the history of the earth over the last 14 billion years, covering everything from stars to dinosaurs to under-water volcanoes.