Museums and Art Galleries
The history of the Horsham District offers a rich tapestry of stories reaching back 100 million years to the time when a freshwater lake stretched from here to France! Time time to discover for yourself some of the fascinating objects and artefacts that survive to this day and are displayed in a range of excellent local museums across the District (see below).
The Capitol
The Capitol is the Horsham District's key arts venue offering unrivalled facilities including a 423 seat theatre, 2 cinemas, studio (seating up to 100), gallery space, meeting room and stylish café and lounge bar. Details of all the shows and films on offer at The Capitol can be found by visiting their website directly or requesting a brochure. The venue is also available for public hire.
The Capitol, North Street, Horsham, RH12 1RG. Location map (NB: This is an off-site Google map)
www.thecapitolhorsham.com.
Email: capitol@horsham.gov.uk
Tel: (01403) 750220.
Lovers of music and drama are also sure to find something to appeal in each term’s programme of events at Christ’s Hospital School, held in both the Theatre and the truly stunning buildings around the site. Opening hours are Mon-Fri 9.30am-12pm term time only.
www.christs-hospital.org.uk.
Email: boxoffice@christs-hospital.org.uk
Box Office: (01403) 247434.
A new Art Gallery and a separate Arts and Crafts Gallery are now on offer in Horsham Museum and Gallery, with many of the objects for sale either on site or by auction. The Museum itself can be considered a work of art as it is housed in a medieval timber-framed merchants house with 26 galleries and exhibition spaces and two walled gardens. Temporary exhibitions take place throughout the year so do check their website for more details. The Capitol (see above) also exhibits a rolling programme of local art in its gallery space on the first floor.
Horsham Museum and Art Gallery is the major local museum of the District and has its own dedicated website offering full details about the museum, its collection and outreach services as well as texts from past exhibitions and links to other heritage groups.
Other Horsham District Museums
Horsham District Museums
| Museum |
Phone |
Amberley Working Museum:
Set in 36 acres at the foot the South Downs, this museum has many fascinating working exhibits illustrating the rich industrial heritage of South East England. It was used as a film set for the James Bond movie "A View to A Kill" starring Roger Moore. |
(01798) 831370 |
The Christ's Hospital School Museum
Housed on the top floor of the Infirmary, the museum has many artifacts from school life at London, Hertford and Horsham, as well as an original Matron's kitchen from 1902. Christ's Hospital has a complete run of admission books, giving pupils' details from 1563 to present day, as well as many other records detailing life at the School. Viewing by appointment only. |
(01403) 211293 |
Steyning Museum
The Museum tells the story of the Steyning area from pre-history to the present day. There are permanent exhibits as well as temporary displays, so a look around is equally worth while for new or regular visitors. Have a look at our shop and if you want to research something in more detail, we keep a Museum library and archive. Open throughout the year, entry to the Museum is free, including free parking nearby. |
(01903) 813333 |
Storrington Museum
Storrington and District Museum houses a collection of local and social history of Storrington and the surrounding villages, including local archaeology, articles from local churches, domestic history, details of local people and their memorabilia, artefacts of vanished local places, trades and services and articles from the two world wars. Open Tuesday to Sunday from 14:00-16:00, and at other times by appointment. Access to archives collection by appointment only. Free entry. |
(01903) 892210 |
Henfield Museum
A small local history museum, offering a diverse collection from early fossils and flint implements, through the Medieval and Tudor era to the Georgian, Victorian and Edwardian periods. Household objects from these times recall Henfield in the past. There are many farm tools on display with a horse-drawn plough together with a mid-Victorian pump outside. Uniforms of the Sussex Rifle Volunteers Regiment take pride of place, as well as an extensive collection of local paintings and photographs. Open Monday to Saturday, 10.00am - 12.00 noon, Wednesday 2.30pm to 4.30pm, Saturday 2.30pm to 4.00pm. Free entry. |
(01273) 492546 |
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For further information about Museums, both local and national, look at the 24hourmuseum website.