Surrounded by stunning countryside and awash with flowers Horsham is a traditional country town at its best. It is set in the heart of the Sussex countryside and, together with 23 villages covering 205 square miles, makes up the unique Horsham district.
The district's southern villages lie in the South Downs Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. There are a number of places of particular interest, including the enchanting St Leonard's Forest to the east of Horsham, which is said to be the lair of an ancient dragon. Also worth a visit are Warnham Nature Reserve, the RSPB's site at Pulborough Brooks and a rare example of Sussex heathland at Sullington Warren.
Horsham is famed for floral magnificence and holds a virtual monopoly on the South East In Bloom competition, having won in four of the last five years. International success came at the Nations in Bloom finals in 2001, where Horsham took first prize for Landscape Enhancement and won its population size category.
The award reflects on an historic town, which was first mentioned in King Eadred's Saxon Charter of 947AD and many of the shops and houses in the town centre date from medieval times. However the oldest local settlement is Pulborough, where there is evidence of habitation from 200,000 years ago and it was also a strategic site on the Roman Road of Stane Street.
Horsham was the birthplace of the poet Percy Shelley, whose family is buried at the 12th Century Parish Church of St Mary's. The revolving Rising Universe water sculpture in the town was inspired by Shelley's famous poem Mont Blanc. The writer and humorist Hilaire Belloc was also a local, and there is a memorial to him at King's Mill - a restored nineteenth century windmill he used to own at Shipley.
Horsham is also a modern town with a number of small shops whose high quality local produce varies from antiques to cheese and there is even an aleshop. And despite its country setting Horsham has good links to both the south coast, central London and is a just 15 minutes by train from Gatwick Airport.
Population 45,000
Attraction
Blue Idol Meeting House
Christ's Hospital
Horsham Museum
Huxleys Experience
Shipley Windmill
Budget
Premier Inn Horsham *book online*
Camping
Care Home
Charity
Action Medical Research
Care for the Wild International
RSPCA
Classes
Dance - Bousfield School of Dance
Club
Council
Dentist
Black Horse Way Dental Surgery
Carfax Dental Practice
Dental Healthcare Practice
East Mews Dental Practice
Forestmead Dental Practice
Doctor
Orchard SurgeryPark Surgery
Riverside Surgery
Rudgwick Medical Centre
Estate Agent
Arun Estate Agencies Ltd
Black Horse Agencies - Geering & Colyer
Fox & Sons
Hamptons
Woodlands Estate Agents
Farmers Market
Carfax Local Produce and Crafts Market
Golf Club
Horsham
Mannings Heath Golf Club
Rookwood Golf Course
Slinfold Park Golf Club
Market
Bishopric General Market
Carfax Local Produce and Crafts Market
Horsham Car Boot
Performing Arts
Horsham School Of Dance
Horsham Symphony Orchestra
Pub and Bar
Black JugCrown Inn
Dog & Bacon Inn
Fountain Inn
Kings Arms
Nelson
Queens Head
Shelley's Late Night Bar
Tanners Arms
Restaurant
Black Jug
El Bodegon
Longroom Restaurant
Merrythought Restaurant
Piccolos
River Kwai
Tortellini
School
Christ's Hospital
Farlington School
Self-Catering
Solicitor
Coole & HaddockSeymours & Solicitors
Smith Gadd & Co
Taxi
Abba Cabs
ABC Taxis
Becks A To B Taxis
Carfax Car Co Ltd
Horsham Taxis
Maddisons Taxis
Voyager Taxis
Vet
Sports Clubs
Broadbridge Heath Judo Club (Martial Arts)
Broadbridge Heath TC (Tennis)
Earth Balance Tai Chi (Martial Arts)
Festival RC (Cycling)
Holbrook RFC (Rugby Union)
Horsham (Men's Hockey)
Horsham (Women's Hockey)
Horsham CC (Cricket)
Horsham Cycling (Cycling)
Horsham TTC (Table Tennis)
Knepp Castle Polo Club (Polo)
Partridge Green CC (Cricket)
Roffey CC (Cricket)
Shops
Bookends
British Book Shops Sussex Stationers
Ottakars Bookstore
Church Street Flowers
Boots
Westons Farm Shop
Early Learning Centre
Old Barn Nurseries
Hillier Garden Centre
Horsham Pet Centre
Whittard of Chelsea
Little Sky
Day Lewis
Dixey CB Opticians
Thomas Hart Ltd
Horsham Cobblers
Waterstones
J D Sports
Carfax Centre of Well-Being
Blacks
Cowfold Gallery
Horsham Piano Centre
Majestic Wine
Robert Dyas
Fast Art
Cowfold
Holland and Barratt
Natural Way
Mothercare
Dreams
Edinburgh Woollen Mill
Clarks
T K Maxx
Phase Eight
Salon Supreme
Andrea Sarlo Photography
Topshop
BHS
Simply Olive Oils
Sussex Lighting (UK) Ltd
The Entertainer
Antiques
Queen Street Antiques
Lampard L E & Sons
BodyShop
Activities
Horsham Superbowl(Bowling)
Places to Stay near Horsham
Premier Inn Horsham (0.34 miles)
Conveniently located for Horsham train station. For shops and local amenities Horsham town centre is only half a mile away. Our Horsham Premier Inn has everything you'd expect, free parking, incredibly comfy beds in every room ... More | visit websiteWimblehurst Hotel (0.58 miles)
As an alternative to the large corporates, the Wimblehurst experience offers a more personal home from home, yet maintains the professional touch our guests have come to expect.Your hosts have ... More
South Lodge Hotel (0.84 miles)
Built in 1883 as a family home South Lodge still exudes that feel. Amongst the 93 acres of parkland are 260 varieties of Rhododendrons, Camellias and Azaleas, which, when in bloom, present a magnificent sea of colour. Inside ... More | visit website
Mannings Heath Hotel (3.04 miles)
The Hotel is set in the midst of beautiful West Sussex countryside at the edge of a lake ,overlooking our own golf course.Yet only a mile and a half from ... More
Cisswood House (3.38 miles)
Cisswood House is the perfect country house retreat. Set in the village of Lower Beeding, just a short drive from Gatwick, Crawley and Brighton, the hotel is the ideal base for visitors to the South ... More
Red Lyon Public House & Restaurant (3.49 miles)
Situated in the centre of picturesque Slinfold village, close to the cricket field and St.Peters Parish Church, the Red Lyon has been an Ale House since the 17th Century.We are ideally suited for ... More | visit website
Random Hall Hotel (3.88 miles)
Chef Proprietor Nigel with his wife Cathy have run the business for 20 years, the majority of the time as a 3 star AA hotel. Now as a guest house ... More
Barrington Lodge (4.70 miles)
Barrington Lodge is a Historic Building offering a wealth of character. Newly Refurbished to a high level, all rooms have Hair Dryer, Safe, Lcd TV, Phone, Tea & Coffee facilities ... More
Travelodge Billingshurst Five Oaks (5.30 miles)
There are loads of reasons our customers choose to stay at Travelodge. Our great value clean and comfortable rooms with en-suite provide everything needed for a good night's sleep and are close to where people ... More | visit website
The Chequers (5.47 miles)
Traditional country pub set in beautiful location, close to Gatwick, 15 mins , London 50 mins and Brighton, 20 mins. Real ales and excellent food served, award winning chef. Ideal for a perfect getaway or ... More | visit website
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