TOWNS & VILLAGES
You'll be fascinated by the villages and hamlets in the area, each with its own individual character. The quiet narrow streets, thatched cottages, spired churches, traditional Sussex village greens, and not forgetting the local pub, are all part of the Sussex Village experience.
For further information see Places to Visit in the Horsham District.
Amberley is set on the River Arun with many flint walled, thatched cottages, a medieval castle (now a hotel) and a fascinating Industrial Museum. An impressive river bridge with superb views of the area is an ideal starting place for leisurely walks through the "Wildbrooks" internationally known for its wildlife.
Billingshurst, built on the Roman Stane Street, is one of the larger villages of the District, and boasts many old houses including a 16th century half timbered in on the high street, and a Unitarian Chapel, built in 1754, which is one of the oldest of its kind in the southern England.
Bramber was once an important medieval port and is now several miles inland. Its romantic Norman castle ruins are sited on a hill overlooking the River Adur lowlands. St Mary's House, a medieval travellers' monastic inn is a real gem to visit and the quaint High Street is crammed with traditional cottages.
Barns Green has many fine timber framed houses (including the local pub) and can be a starting pointfor many attractive walks.
In the centre of Cowfold lies the church of St Peter's which exhibits one of the finest medieval church brasses in Sussex.
Henfield is an important village with many buildings dating back to the 14th Century. The local museum is well worth a visit and contains a wide range of rural and historic artefacts. Leaflets giving information about a range of local attractions are available both in Henfield Museum and outside the Parish offices in the village hall. They include an excellent free Official Guide to the village of Henfield.
Itchingfield church dates back to 1125, it has a fine early norman window still survivng and a particular feature of the church is its Medieval Bell Tower. The unique "Priests House" in the grounds of the church dates from 15th century and was used as an almhouse in the 19th century.
Nuthurst, nestling in the countryside with the 900 year old church of St Andrew and very attractive 16th Century buildings.
Pulborough, is one of the oldest inhabited sites of Horsham District with evidence of Palaeolithic (200,000 years ago) camps. It is strategically sited on the Roman road of Stane Street and the crossing point of the tidal River Arun. There are superb views over the river lowlands and nearby Stopham Bridge and an ancient monument dating back to the 13th Century - a must for any history buff.
The Parish of Rudgwick lies in the heart of the Low Weald and has a unique heritage of timber-framed buildings dating from before the 1750's. Rudgwick also has the distinction of being the location for a find of bones from a unique dinosaur known as Polacanthus Rudgwickensis. These bones can now be seen at Horsham Museum
Shipley, with the unique church of St Mary's, built by the Knights Templars who were famously connected with the Crusades in Israel. Just a short distance from the church, is the magnificent smock windmill built in 1879, which was once owned by Hilaire Belloc, author and poet, more recently it served as a setting for the BBC television series "Jonathan Creek".
Slinfold, is a typical medieval Wealden village, which hosts many superb timber-framed buildings.
Southwater - The development of Southwater in the early 20th century was due chiefly to the growth of its brickworks from where, in its heyday, the famous"red" bricks were exported all over the world. The claypits were restored to nature in the 1980's as a Country Park with a large lake and now attracts many visitors each year. From here you can join the Downs Link which follows the track of the disused railway line and explore on foot or bicycle the lovely surrounding countryside. Discover too the old houses and cottages of this former scattered farming community, not forgetting the little Victorian Church on the hill.
Steyning, a Saxon town nestling at the base of the South Downs has great historic significance with over 125 medieval or Tudor buildings to discover. The local museum is devoted to Steyning's past.
Storrington, once the home of a flourishing 1930's artistic community based around the Roman Catholic Priory, now a bustling place ideal for using as a base for exploring the South Downs.
Washington, once the centre of a large Saxon estate, whose owner was given Horsham as a gift, is now a quiet rural Downland village.
West Chiltington, with sunken tree lined lanes, a small museum, and the attractive, unaltered 12th Century church of St Mary's with an oak shingle covered spire and ancient wall paintings. Produce from local vineyards can be purchased in the village.