Horsham is a town in West Sussex, near Surrey, in the South of England.

Understand

Horsham is, at heart, a traditional English market town. West Sussex is a relatively rural county in southern England, and Horsham provided a focus for people to gather and trade in times gone by.

Over recent years, Horsham has grown significantly, being a commutable distance from London and Gatwick Airport, while still having the benefits of the countryside.

Horsham is also the site for Novartis-UK Affiliate of the Swiss based company Novartis AG [1]. The R&D here focuses on Metabolic disorders, GI tract diseases and such.

In its recent history Horsham has been one of the main headquaters for the international firm Royal & SunAlliance which still opens and operates in some of the towns largest buildings. The recent Yes! Car Credit which went bankrupt was also based in Horsham.

Get in

By plane

The closest airport to Horsham is London Gatwick (LGW) which is only 20 minutes by car or train (the station is right in the airport). London Heathrow (LHR) is about an hour by car (depending on traffic) or two and a half hours by train via London - change at Hammersmith and London Victoria. London Stansted (STN) is about an hour and a half by car (depending on traffic) or two and a half hours by train - change at Tottenham Hale and London Victoria.

By train

Horsham can be reached easily by train. Direct services run three times per hour (1 fast, 2 slow) from London Victoria via Croydon and Crawley. There is an hourly service (not Sundays) from London Waterloo via Dorking, and an hourly service from Bognor Regis and Chichester. Be aware that trains can divide en route in southern England so listen carefully to the announcements.

By car

Horsham can also be easily reached by car as it lies on the junction of three main routes. Follow the A24 from London (SW) via Dorking, the M23/A264 from London (SE) via Crawley, the A23/A281 from Brighton via Cowfold, the A24 from Worthing, the A29 from Chichester or the A281 from Guildford.

Get around

The town centre is compact and walkable. A small number of bus services are available to the residential areas. All services run via the bus station and the central square, the Carfax.

See

Horsham's town centre is its main charm. The town is based around a central square (that isn't square) called the Carfax. This is pedestrianised and often features music on the bandstand in the summer. There is also an element of European cafe culture with a couple of street cafes. The rest of the centre is no more than five minutes walk from the Carfax.

To the north is a large park, accessed via an underpass. The park has a small wildlife pond, and various leisure facilities.

To the South is The Causeway, a conservation area with a real feeling of history about it. At the bottom of The Causway is St.Marys church and the River Arun. Horsham Museum is also located on The Causeway.

Also, the town's shopping centre, Swan Walk, is an attractive area for shopping, and eating in one of the many cafe's in the the mall.

A site featuring current and Francis Frith photograph of old Horsham gives the viewer a chance to preview Horsham before visiting. The site has images of historic importance and specialises on views of the town centre. Go to Hidden Horsham for more information.

Another site of interest to locals, visitors and potential residents is Horsham Forum where locals are only too pleased to help

Do

Take in a film or show at the small Horsham Arts Centre. The Arts Centre has recently had a face lift and is now known as The Capitol. The Capitol still remains popular for theater productions though the face lift has succeeded in attracting the younger demographic by offering more films.

Eat

Horsham has a range of restaurants covering most of the various styles found in England, with Italian being particularly common. Most town centre restaurants are on East Street, although there are some in the Carfax and West Street. About a mile from the centre of town is the American/Tex/Mex style 'Smith and Western' which has become a definite destination for special events.

There are numerous take-away food outlets near the town centre. Most are located just to the west, in the Bishopric and Springfield Road.

Perhaps one of Horshams best restaurants is the Indian Tree curry house. Located in a traditional tudor style listed building, the Indian Tree, formerly the Nisam, offers excellent cuisene whilst maintaing a family atmosphere.

Drink

Horsham has a reasonable selection of pubs in the town centre. There is also a small night spot, 'Shelleys'.

• Bar Vin, just off the Carfax. Always packed, despite question marks over the ability to get served.

Sleep

Horsham itself has relatively few hotels, and none at the higher end of the market. Some of the villages surrounding Horsham do have quality hotels however.

• Premier Travel Inn, opposite the Station, about £50 per room per night (2004), really the only hotel in the town centre http://www.travelinn.co.uk

Get out

There are many possible day trips from Horsham, here are some suggestions:

• Leith Hill and the Surrey Hills, 20 minutes north-northwest via the A24 and B2126, one of the most beautiful stretches of the North Downs, with the highest point in south east England.
• Leonardslee Gardens, Lower Beeding, via the A281
• Wakehurst Place, 25 minutes east at Ardingly on the B2028, a nationally important garden maintained by Kew
• Petworth House, 30 minutes southeast at Petworth, a large country house set in acres of parkland

Many other locations are within easy reach, taking about 45 minutes to Arundel, Brighton or Guildford, and an hour to Chichester, Lewes or Tunbridge Wells.