Horsham dates back to the Middle Ages and has more history and quirky characteristics than you could shake a stick at. But it also has everything you could desire for 21st century living!
This pretty market town has a beautiful Victorian bandstand and market square called the Carfax, a Grade II listed town hall, and the picturesque and tree-lined Causeway. Snaking between an array of beautiful period buildings which include everything from Tudor to Art Deco, you’ll find narrow alleys known as twittens and hidden courtyards.
A few quirky facts
Horsham has a long brewing history that dates back to 1800. King and Barnes, perhaps its most famous brewery, finally closed in 2000 but the town’s brewing heritage continues with local breweries like Firebird Brewery in Rudgwick and Hepworth’s Brewery run by the former head brewer at King and Barnes. Both are worth a visit for craft beer connoisseurs!
Horsham also has the unenviable reputation for being the place of the last execution by pressing and the last execution for homosexuality. More positively, Michael Caine started his acting career at the Westminster Repertory in Horsham, and the town also inspired Harry Enfield!
Shops, green spaces and things to do
For full details of what you can expect when if you move to Horsham, have a look at our Horsham Guide. Suffice it to say, the town has a vibrant food and drink scene, some fantastic local walks and countryside and lots of things to see in and around the town.
Getting social
As for the night owls amongst you, Horsham may not have a nightclub anymore, but they do have two cinemas including an Everyman with a roof terrace overlooking Piries Place. You can also enjoy an ever-changing programme of live music and the town has an abundance of pubs, bars, restaurants, and cafés.
In the summer months, Horsham Festival hosts a number of eclectic events including music, dance, drama and the visual arts, and the town even has its own annual Beer Festival. It’s also fast becoming the epicentre for Sussex wine with a number of vineyards in the surrounding area including Kinsbrook Vineyard and House Coren.
The school run
The town does pretty well when it comes to private schools too. Farlington School and Christ’s Hospital are both just on the outskirts of town and are co-ed, and it’s not too far from Cranleigh School either. For prep schools, there is nearby Penthorpe School, Cottesmore Preparatory School and Handcross Park. Private schools from the wider area also provide minibus services from various pick-up points. There are four state secondary schools serving the town one of which is only a couple of years old and just moving into state-of-the-art new premises.
Home is where the heart is
With a great mix of old and new, you may be wondering whether Horsham is a good place to put down roots, and the good news is, you’ve got lots of choice when it comes to places to live and house styles. The suburbs surrounding the main town nearly all have their own pub and primary school, such as bustling Holbrook, a modern suburb that also has a parade of shops, a post office, a café, a beauty salon, a doctor’s surgery, and a fitness centre. Whereas the Causeway has some of the most beautiful old houses in the county in a quiet road that is just steps from the town centre.
There are also a couple of really attractive new developments on the edge of Horsham, like Highwood Village. This is a quiet and secluded development that is still within walking distance of the local school and large Tesco store and has housing from one-bedroom starter apartments to spacious 5-bedroom homes. And if you want all the advantages of a great local town but some of the perks of village life and community spirit, there are also a number of pretty local villages nearby like Warnham, Slinfold and Rusper which all have bus services back into town. There you’ve got a choice of some older, period homes or smart, modern housing. Take your pick.
And the good news is that there are a number of good local estate agents, who can help with the sale, purchase or lease of your property.
Refurbishing your home
Whether you’re settling into a new home in Horsham, refreshing a favourite room or preparing to sell, a few thoughtful changes can make a real difference. Decluttering is a useful starting point, helping you see the space clearly and decide what you need from it. From there, you might explore interior design, use home staging to bring out your property’s best features or plan a kitchen renovation that makes everyday life a little easier. Here are some ideas and local expertise to help you get started.
Horsham health and wellbeing
Looking after yourself in Horsham can mean anything from finding a yoga class to keeping on top of dental appointments or making time for a regular walk. The town’s parks and surrounding countryside offer plenty of opportunities to get outside, stretch your legs and clear your head, while local health practitioners can help with more specific needs. Whether you’re building healthier habits or looking for a particular service, explore our guides to health and wellbeing in and around Horsham.
Getting here and there
From Horsham, you can hop on a train to London, East Croydon, Gatwick or the coast and apart from the main station, there are two other smaller stations, namely Littlehaven and Christ’s Hospital. You’re also not far from the A23 which takes you directly to the M25 as well as the A281 to Guildford, the A272 which stretches all the way across the county, and the A24 to Dorking and the coast. So friends and family have no reason not to visit.
So, is Horsham the best place to live in Sussex? Well, come and have a look around and decide for yourself.
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