Guest Contribution
England is famed for its rolling green countryside. And amid the beautiful, lush landscapes are hidden gems just waiting to be unearthed on your next adventure. Make no mistake, finding a quaint rural getaway is easier than you think too. Just one hour outside the bustling streets of London is one such example – the beautiful West Sussex market town of Horsham.
The perfect mix of the old and the new, Horsham offers visitors all the perks of a modern town. But it also lives and breathes its rich history, while entwining itself in a harmonious relationship with nature. If its never been on your English travel bucket list before, here’s a spotlight on the reasons why that might be changing very soon…
Making it a part of your travel plans
With all it has to offer, Horsham is the perfect place to start, continue or end your next trip. It’s easily reached from London or Brighton – and Gatwick Airport is even closer. So, why not hire a car or make use of the regular trains to Horsham and put your plans in place?
We should warn you, however – there’s quite a lot to fit into one day in Horsham. Luckily, it’s a town blessed with beautiful and affordable places to stay to fit all tastes and budgets. And what more could you want when the best of the English countryside is waiting to be discovered?
A town with a story to tell
By walking down the cobbled streets fanning off from the Carfax focal point, you’ll follow in the footsteps of locals and guests as far back as 947 AD. With its story that now spans three millennia, Horsham still draws on its fine tradition as a market town. Car-free streets, attractive piazzas and tight alleys are home to specialist shops, indie trades and salivating food and drink.
If you’d like to delve deeper into Horsham’s past, its Museum and Art Gallery has a huge range of artefacts. And, for a more serene experience, visit the 13th century St Mary’s Church too.
Get outdoors and experience nature
But what about this countryside we spoke about? Getting out of the main town centre is maybe the best of what Horsham has to offer you. On the edge of the High Weald Area of Outstanding Beauty, the natural world really is right on the town’s doorstep.
Sat in 240 acres of countryside, the 200-year-old Leonardslee Lakes & Gardens has been called the “finest woodland gardens in England”. And, if you’d like to get to know an entirely different type of local, Warnham Local Nature Reserve is a tranquil wetland escape.
But this doesn’t even start to cover off all the walks, hikes and trails available in Horsham with plenty more to see and do available.
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