A visit to Horsham combines the old and the new. Arboreal and medieval, with a thriving market and cultural scene, it’s an ever-evolving town. It’s surrounded by some stunning countryside and has some great local walks. It also has good train links to London, an intriguing history, a theatre, two cinemas, a busy market, and some fantastic schools.
A little bit of history
On the upper edges of the River Arun, the name Horsham is thought to have derived from either “horse home” (the town was known for its horse trading during the medieval period) or “Horsa’s home” (a Saxon warrior who was granted land in the area). Horsham is first mentioned in the 10th century and appears in the Domesday Book (1086), at which time, it appears to have been a large village.
Horsham has two Norman sites. One is or was Sedgwick Castle which was originally established by the de Braose family following the Norman Conquest. De Braose had land in Shoreham and Bramber. There is now a rather grand manor close to what is left of the castle. The other site is at Chennells Brook. There is not much to see at either site.
The Causeway is perhaps one of the most picturesque parts of the town, set slightly to the side of the town centre, lined with plane trees and a slightly higgedly piggedly jumble of 17th, 18th and early 19th century architecture (as well as the renowned Horsham Museum). It’s an elegant street with a marked sense of calm.
At the south end of the Causeway is St Mary’s church, a Norman building and the oldest building in Horsham. It was rebuilt in the 13th century and restored in 1864–65. From there, a quiet walk through the cemetery takes you down to gardens and the River Arun. It feels like the countryside and it’s hard to believe you’re just minutes from the busy town centre. Walking the other way, from the Causeway to the Carfax, do look out for the twittens and alleys. There are several, some of which lead to Denne Road and one to Piries Place from the Carfax.
The Carfax is the centre point of the town with its beautiful bandstand built in 1892 and its twice weekly market. It’s thought the name Carfax may be a Norman name derived from either “Quatre Voies” (four ways) or “Carrefour”, a place where four roads meet.
The Town Hall in the Market Square dates back to about 1648 when it was a “Market House”. It was rebuilt in 1721 and the ground floor used for a butter and poultry market whilst the upper floors were used for holding quarter sessions and assizes. It was repaired and enlarged again in 1812 by the 11th Duke of Norfolk and the open ground floor began use as a lower court room. Perhaps one of the Town Hall’s most famous entries in the history books is that in 1949 John George Haigh appeared there before the magistrates for the infamous Acid Bath Murders (although his full trial took place at Lewes). Unsurprisingly, it reportedly caused quite a stir!
Old Horsham
From the 16th century onwards Horsham developed tanning leather and brewing industries. And in 1796, a barracks built in Horsham gave a brief boost to the population of about 1,500 men. They left in 1815 although the ammunition depot built in 1804 is remembered by Depot Road. The bubonic plague struck Horsham in 1560, 1574 and in 1608-09 and even following the Covid pandemic, it’s still hard to imagine the terror and grief this must have caused. Sadly, this was followed by an outbreak of smallpox in 1659. In 1648 Horsham was also the scene of a rising of 500 or 600 Royalists, protesting against the policies of the parliamentary county committee. The rising was quelled by parliamentary troops but at least three townsmen and one soldier were killed.
The last “pressing” of someone to death also took place in Horsham in 1735 – this was the practice of placing someone who refused to plead either “guilty” or “not guilty” at a trial under a wooden board with weights placed on top. And even in the 20th century, Horsham had its moments. Several people died in bombing raids in WWII and Horsham was also one of the last places in England where someone faced the death penalty for homosexuality. The film “Monty Python’s Life of Brian” was even banned here!
A cultural centre
No visit to Horsham is complete without a little literary culture. Most people know that English romantic poet, Percy Bysshe Shelley, married to Frankenstein novelist Mary Shelley was born at Field Place in Broadbridge Heath near Horsham and grew up here. In 1891, Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s Sherlock Holmes story The Five Orange Pips included characters who lived in the town. Not long after, the world-renowned Christ’s Hospital School moved to just outside Horsham in 1902 and the first cinema opened in 1910. More recently, Michael Caine started his acting career in the town, Oliver Reid was often seen in local pubs and Harry Enfield was born in the town. Other celebrities you might be able to spot these days include Jim Davidson, Alvin Stardust, Alan Carr and Julie Walters.
Things to do in Horsham
It’s a town where there always seems to be something going on. From Friday Lates in the Carfax in the summer when the town is filled with the sound of live music, to weekly markets, theatre and exhibitions at the museum.
Local walks and countryside
Horsham sits where the Low Weald meets the High Weald. That means it is surrounded by fabulous countryside and walks. With St Leonard’s Forest and the High Weald Landscape Trail to the east, and the Down’s Link to the west you are never far from somewhere to walk, whether you want long distance trails or a short urban stroll.
For the Horsham foodie
The town is known for its many restaurant and cafés, many of which spill out onto the pavement in East Street or the Carfax. With a lively market, a number of local producers and a vineyard, you are never short of things to fill your basket or tummy.
Horsham itineraries
Horsham is on the main line from London to the coast and in the very heart of West Sussex. It also has a strong road network with the A24, A23, A272 and A281 making travel in any direction easy. Make it the start point or a central hub for exploring and put history, wine, walking or shopping at the heart of your agenda.
Whatever brings you to Horsham, do take some time to stroll around some of the quirkier streets and explore some of the surrounding area. It’s an intriguing and dynamic little town well worth making it a place to visit or better still, somewhere to put down roots.
Living In Horsham
Horsham combines plenty of everyday amenities with easy access to the surrounding Sussex countryside. The town centre has a regular market in the Carfax, independent shops and the Swan Walk shopping centre, while supermarkets include Sainsbury’s, Lidl, Waitrose and Tesco. Horsham Park provides a generous green space close to the centre, with gardens, tennis courts, sports pitches, a skate park and cafés. Pavilions in the Park adds a gym and indoor and heated outdoor swimming facilities. For entertainment, there’s an Everyman cinema and The Capitol cinema and theatre, while Horsham Museum and Art Gallery offers a dose of local history and culture.
Property prices are above the UK average, although Horsham generally offers a more affordable alternative to nearby Surrey towns such as Guildford, Reigate and Dorking. There is a broad choice of homes, from period properties and established residential neighbourhoods to newer estates. The surrounding villages offer further options for those who prefer a quieter setting while keeping the town’s facilities within reach.
Getting there and transport
Horsham has good transport links for commuting and exploring further afield. Its railway station sits on the Arun Valley Line, with direct services to London Victoria taking around an hour, depending on the service, and rail links to Bognor Regis, Chichester and Portsmouth.
By road, the A24 runs along the western side of the town, connecting towards Dorking and Worthing, while the A264 provides access to Crawley and the M23. The A272 lies a short distance to the south, offering a route across Sussex. A range of bus services operates from the central bus station, connecting Horsham with surrounding towns and villages.
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