Overlooking the River Arun, Horsham is a historic market town in West Sussex that was first mentioned in 947. In addition to its iron and brewing industries, it was once notable for the manufacture of bricks using local Wealden clay. From 1906 to 2000, Horsham was famously home to the King and Barnes Brewery.
Things to do in Horsham
In the heart of town is the Horsham Museum, which occupies the historic Causeway House. In addition to its collection of local ceramics, ethnographic artefacts and geological findings, it exhibits several prints by John Guille Millais and literary works by Percy Bysshe Shelley. In the museum garden is a three-metre-tall sculpture of the Crucifixion of Jesus by Edward Bainbridge Copnall.
You can stretch your legs on the walking trails that wind through Horsham Park, a sprawling green space with recreational facilities and sensory gardens. Kids can let loose in the children’s playground, explore the Family Tree Trail and read poems by their peers in the Poets’ Corner. Also within the park is a maze and a climbing centre, plus a skate park.
On the edge of Horsham is Huxley's Birds of Prey Centre and Gardens, which showcases the impressive flying skills of falcons and owls. Exclusive experiences include the Hawk Walk and the opportunity to get up close to a diverse range of eagles, buzzards and owls. The beautiful gardens include tropical plantings and seasonal floral displays, as well as a tranquil Japanese water feature.
Getting around Horsham
Horsham is around 15 minutes’ drive from Crawley and just over an hour from central London. Heathrow Airport is about one hour away and has flights to destinations across the globe. Regular trains connect to the Horsham railway station and buses travel through the town. The centre of Horsham can easily be explored on foot.