Chesworth Farm just on the edge of Horsham (West Sussex) is a 90 acre site with a rich history. There are footpaths and bridlepaths for exploring and although these days it’s know for its abundant wildlife, it’s worth spending a moment to think about its past.
People have lived here since the Iron Age and it’s also thought that the Romans were here and that there may have been a Saxon farm on the site from about 700 AD. It’s been continuously farmed since then, and by 1086 Chesworth formed part of the Royal Estate of William the Conqueror AKA William I. There were royal visits from Edwards I and II but by the 16th century it was owned by the Dukes of Norfolk. Henry VIII visited in 1519 and Catherine Howard lived here for a time (at Chesworth House). By the 18th century, the Eversfield family owned much of the estate. Horsham District Council purchased the site in 1992 and now manages it for wildlife conservation. It includes a livestock farm, grassland, the River Arun, wet meadows and ancient hedgerows.
Getting there
It’s a 10 minute walk from Horsham town centre or you can park at Denne Road (paid parking) or at Chesworth Lane (limited free parking). Alternatively, cycle via the Horsham to Southwater cycle route (Pedlars Way) or follow Horsham’s Riverside Walk. If you want to take a map it’s Ordnance Survey OL 34.
You don’t really need a designated route to follow, but there is a nice 4 km circular route from Denne Road. The first half of this, all the way to the area known as the Ups and Downs is well surfaced. Starting from Denne Road, walk to Chesworth Lane (down Denne Road, past Denne Road Cemetery which looks abandoned but is actually a beautiful conservation area). Do stop and have a look around.
Then continue down the road and turn left into Chesworth Lane, pass under the railway bridge and then you’ll see the entrance to the estate and an information board. There are some great place names like Jenny Bare Legs Field.
Follow the road straight ahead up a gentle incline to the Wildlife Garden. You can easily stop here, enjoy a picnic and then head home. But to keep going, bear right and just follow the path. You’ll come to the wetland area, with its boardwalk where you bear right again. Then just follow the woodland path which is Pedlars Way.
Denne Hill and Denne Park House
Denne Park House is off to your right as you climb Denne Hill. It dates from 1605 but was altered in the 18th century. There are a total of four listed buildings on the estate which include the main house, the Gate Cottage with the distinctive black and white dogs outside on the main Worthing Road and the fabulously named Pineapple Cottage. Like Chesworth Farm, it was owned by the Dukes of Norfolk but was forfeited to the Crown in 1572 when Thomas Howard, the fourth Duke was executed for plotting against Elizabeth I. And again, like Chesworth, it came into the ownership of the Eversfields. They sold it in 1947 and it’s now divided into apartments.
You’re also not far from Sedgwick House and you start to get a feel for how this area was peppered with great estates.
You won’t see Denne Park House as you walk but what you will see off to your left is Bourne Hill House which is an Olympic dressage training yard and substantial eight bedroom house featuring a large indoor pool, set in 150 acres of woodland and fields, and a cheeky valuation of £15,242,000 in 2024.
Just past a large, old tree and some gates, you take a right turn and start almost doubling back on yourself (it’s the second footpath to your right since the boardwalk). This takes you to open fields where you can bear left or go straight ahead.
Go straight ahead and eventually over the long straight drive and into the woods. Now you start your descent with views of Horsham laid out before you. It’s quite steep but you eventually come out at the end of Denne Road and the bridge over the bridge.
Head back in to town past the impressive church and up the Causeway for coffee or a bite to eat in one of the town’s many coffee shops. Alternatively, pop into the museum, which is free and has lots more information about the history of Horsham.
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