An elegant market town that’s regularly voted as one of the UK’s most desirable places in which to live, Horsham is a day-tripper’s dream. There are dozens of fine shops, a popular market, a picturesque park and plenty of visitor attractions to keep all ages interested. Here are five reasons to make sure Horsham is on your must-visit list this year.
All the history you’ll ever need
Horsham appears to be somewhat modern when you first see it, but don’t let this fool you! The first mention of the place in writing was in AD 947 when it was granted a royal charter. The town’s oldest church, St Mary’s, dates back to the 12th century, and the excellent Horsham Museum and Art Gallery is located in the half-timbered 16th century Causeway House. In case you didn’t know, the town’s most famous son is the celebrated poet Percy Bysshe Shelley, who was born at Field Place in 1792.
Dramatic countryside to sigh for
It’s so easy to get away from the town and into the countryside from here. The area around Horsham is truly blessed with some wonderful rural idylls, including the likes of Southwater Country Park, Warnham Nature Reserve, the Mannings Heath Estate and, perhaps the best of the lot, Leonardslee Lakes & Gardens. Taking in the sights and sounds of this fabulous facility serves as a reminder that we all need to savour nature’s beauty every once in a while.
Easy to get to from wherever you are
One of the reasons for Horsham’s popularity throughout the region is the ease of getting there. The town is located on the main A24 road from London to Worthing, the station is right in the heart of the town and there’s plenty of parking for motorists. And although the roads can get a little busy at peak times, generally the traffic runs smoothly in and around the town. By road, the likes of Billingshurst, Crawley and Haywards Heath are all less than 30 minutes away. You can also get to Horsham’s town centre train station in less thatn an hour from Central London.
Plenty for the little ones to enjoy
Horsham Park is located right in the heart of town, and it’s a magnet for families with young children. There’s an excellent playground, lots of wide open spaces, a café and a leisure centre to enjoy here. And just a few miles up the road in Tilgate Park, there’s the ultra-exciting Go Ape. If your youngsters are intrepid enough to climb the heights here, you can be sure of an exceptional day out. The wobbly bridges, the ziplines and the tree crossings are ready and waiting to challenge you all.
A day out that the weather won’t spoil
If you happen to be visiting on a day when the weather isn’t at its best, fear not! There are a number of venues in the town where you can stay dry. The Horsham Museum features a range of fascinating exhibits, including a recreation of the town’s 1775 gaol. And if the sun comes out once again, you’ll want to find time to relax in tranquil garden. The leisure centre is another option, with a swimming pool, a soft play area and a nice café waiting to welcome you. Don’t ever let the rainy weather spoil a fabulous family experience.
So, it’s all too apparent that Horsham needs to be explored further, and therefore the message is simple: set aside a day, get the group together and head to wonderful West Sussex for a day out that really hits the right notes. Enjoy!
