Rusper. Discover Horsham District. Southwaterter. Steyning. 7 Days Out & About

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1 Discover Horsham District Co Southwaterter Dial Post Steyning Mannings Heat h C Rusper 7 Days Out & About

2 Rusper Kingsfold Warnham Faygate Rudgwick Broadbridge Heath Colgate Slinfold HORSHAM Five Oaks Barns Green Mannings Heath Lower Beeding Billingshurst Southwater Cowfold Coolham Dial Post Coldwaltham Pulborough West Chiltington Sullington Ashington Partridge Green Henfield Storrington Small Dole Amberley Washington Upper Beeding Steyning Map of the District showing key villages Front Cover image: Nutbourne Vineyard

3 Seven days out around Horsham District Dear Visitor Welcome to Horsham District. We have put together a selection of tours to help you enjoy the countryside and villages of Horsham District. The tours cover a wide choice of places to visit or activities to enjoy, from medieval castles to vineyards or that you visit attractions when they are open. We hope you enjoy your visit and come back soon. Horsham Visitor Information Centre Team

4 Seven days out around Horsham District: MONDAY Southwest to Pulborough (A264, A29) Start your journey by following the A264 south west out of Horsham, following signs to Billingshurst and Pulborough. Along this route you will be travelling along part of the ancient Roman road, Stane Street, which linked London to Chichester. Take the A29 to Pulborough, a village shown by archaeological evidence to have been settled for over 200,000 years. In Roman times this was where Stane Street crossed the River Arun and linked with the Roman road to Lewes and Barcombe. Places of note in Pulborough itself are the church of St. Mary, built in the 1200s, the Saxon Church of St. Botolph at Hardham and the River Bridge, now by-passed. The bridge was built in 1787 and is a smaller version of the Medieval Bridge at Stopham. Continue on the A29 to visit the Roman Villa at Bignor. Places to visit nearby Nutbourne Vineyard Gay Street, Nr Pulborough. RH20 2HH Protected by the South Downs with the same fertile green sand soil as there are now 26 acres of vines in production. Also see Nutbourne windmill dating from (The Street, RH20 2HH) Self guided tours and Organised Tours available (admission charged). Open: May to October, Tues- Fri 2pm - 5pm, weekends 11am - 5pm. & special events on BH. Free admission RSPB Pulborough Brooks Pulborough. RH20 2EL Set in the sheltered Arun valley Pulborough Brooks is a fantastic place for a day out for people of all ages, with superb nature trails, wildlife-watching hides and viewpoints. Café open for refreshments and light lunches. Open daily except 25/26 Dec. Admission charged St Botolph s Church, Hardham Hardham - St Botolph. RH20 1LB - off London Road (A29) Tucked away in the idyllic hamlet of Hardham lies the ancient Saxon Church of St Botolph (circa 1050). It contains some of the oldest and most complete Romanesque wall paintings in the country including an image of St. George at the battle of Antioch. There are Roman tiles within the structure and Tudor bricks in a blocked-up doorway. A squint is visible in the external south wall. Open: Daily 9am to dusk

5 St Mary s, London Road, Pulborough. RH20 1AB The church with a chancel built in the 1200s and the tower nave and aisles built in the early 1400s around the time of the lychgate. There is a small collection of early brasses dating from this period. Cross over the road and walk past the Chequers Inn - Old Rectory Lane, for a superb view of the Arun Valley. Bignor Roman Villa Bignor, nr Pulborough. RH20 1PH Open: Daily from March - Oct, 10am - 5pm. Café. Admission Charged Bignor Roman Villa Stopham Bridge off the A283 between Pulborough and Fittleworth and has the inscription J.S.A July The Old Bridge, Pulborough

6 Seven days out around Horsham District: TUESDAY Southwest by South to Billingshurst (A272) subject of a book written by Pieter and Rita Boogaart called A272 - Ode to a Road. This road will take you pass the village of Shipley, famous for its links to the Knights Templars, the writer Hilaire Belloc and Shipley Windmill, the setting for the BBC Television series Jonathan Creek. Go straight across at the Coolham crossroads in the direction of Billingshurst. At the top of the hill you (demolished in 1707) and was also the founder of the city of Philadelphia and state of Pennsylvania, USA. 1200s. The main high street has many old timber framed buildings including The Six Bells, built in the 1500s, which was originally a farmhouse called Taintlands with connections to cloth making. Places to visit nearby Shipley Windmill School Lane, Shipley. RH13 8PL The Windmill is closed but can be viewed externally from adjacent public footpath. Blue Idol Oldhouse Lane, Coolham. RH13 8QP least April 2015 for renovation. Meeting house and William Penn Memorial Garden, Normally open 2pm to 5pm Mon-Thurs & Sat or by prior arrangement. St Mary the Virgin Church Close, Shipley. RH13 8PH Shipley church is one of the oldest Norman churches in Sussex. It dates from the 1100s and was built by the Knights Templar on the site of a much earlier church. The church was restored in be removed due to its poor state of repair. John Ireland the composer is buried in the churchyard. For opening hours please contact the church Shipley WIndmill

7 St Mary s Church, Billingshurst Within walking distance of the Selsey Arms Pub is the site of the former Advanced Landing Ground, a tented installation and was home to several squadrons for short periods during that time. Shipley Arts Festival. This annual festival held between May and June hosts fabulous concerts and Art displays, raising funds for The String Academy Windlesham and Composing competition.. St Mary s, East Street, Billingshurst. RH14 9PY The nave and chancel date from the 1200s with additional work in the 1400s. The main feature of the Bartlett of Oakhurst bearing the date 1499.

8 Seven days out around Horsham District: WEDNESDAY South southwest to Storrington and West Chiltington (A24, A283) the remains of Knepp Castle on the right. This Norman castle built in the 1200s by the Lord of the Rape control of King John. Virgin was built in the 1000s and has been extensively restored. Amberley Castle, lying in the shadow of the South Downs and beside important wetlands a castle built in the 1100s, now a luxury hotel and restaurant. Places to visit nearby Knepp Castle Ruin The castle itself is closed to the public except for occasional tours by Historical Societies, as it is a private family home, but the estate is criss-crossed with about 26km of public rights of way. For more information about available routes please see Knepp Castle

9 Parham House, Storrington St. Mary s, West Chiltington, Church Street RH20 2JW wall paintings in the south aisle, on the arches and the south wall of the nave; painted in the 1100s and 1200s they show stories from the Bible such as the Nativity. For opening hours please contact the church Storrington and District Museum, The Old School Lane, Storrington. RH20 4LL The Museum displays the local history. Open: Wed & Sat 10am - 4pm. Sun 10am -1pm. Admission Free. Amberley Museum Parham House, Storrington, West Sussex. RH20 4HS park events throughout the Spring and Summer months. Open: Sun & BH Mon only in April & October. May to September, Wed to Fri, Sun & BH Mons. House: 2pm - 5pm. Garden 12-5pm. Amberley Museum & Heritage Centre BN18 9LT The museum is home to a unique collection of listed buildings, ancient monuments and vintage vehicles offering a wonderful interactive experience. Open: February half term, late March to October daily 10am pm. Café. Admission charged.

10 Christ s Hospital, Horsham Steyning High Street Amberley Castle Warnham Local Nature Reserve Southwater Country Park Rusper Church St Botolph s, Hardham

11 Swan Bridge, Pulborough St Mary s House, Bramber Billingshurst High Street All Saints Church, Buncton Causeway, Horsham Carfax & Bandstand, Horsham St Giles Church, Shermanbury

12 Seven days out around Horsham District: THURSDAY South to Southwater (B2237) access is via footpaths on the left); the top of Denne Hill offers spectacular views of Horsham. Denne Southwater. Southwater village has what is claimed to be the longest village street in Sussex, once having a thriving by the Sussex Artist Hannah Stewart. Arch and the Wren Arch, were salvaged and incorporated into the new buildings. Places to visit nearby Horsham Golf and Fitness Southwater Country Park Open: daily, Café. Free admission. Southwater Country Park

13 Christ s Hospital Downs Link Sussex and Surrey. Without a bike, no problems, hire is available along the route from Southwater Cycles, Christ s Hospital School museum, marching band (weather permitting) and take a full historical tour with the pupils themselves. A highlight of the tour is the massive eighty-six foot long painting by Antonio Verrio situated in the Dining the chapel are murals by the 19 th /20 th Century artist Frank Brangwyn. Tours are available on Thurs by prior St. Nicolas Church was built circa There are several of the original windows and two original walls, a century tower. The church has been extended several times, notably in the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries. At the earlier rebuild, some of the stones were carved with the initials of the Rector and his direction of Sir Gilbert Scott. During this work a Norman altar stone was discovered and restored to the altar in the church where it is still in use today. Of particular note is the unique oak bell tower which stands alongside, but is not actually attached to the church building. Inside the tower the original medieval staircase to the belfry remains in situ, but is not now used. from Sele Priory in Upper Breeding to collect church tithes. It was later converted into almshouses and then used as a vestry. The church is open during daylight hours.

14 Seven days out around Horsham District: FRIDAY North by Northwest, to Warnham, Rusper and Rudgwick (B2237, A24/A264 & A281) Warnham. This road winds its way past parkland containing the largest herd of red deer in the country, established in the 1800s. The historic village of Warnham contains nearly 100 listed buildings dating from the early medieval period. ownership and is not open to the public. recently famous for being the home of the Italian fashion designer Paolo Gucci. Rusper village has a number of buildings from the 1500s and 1600s. was named after the village: Polacanthus Rudgwickensis, and can be viewed along with two fossilised Places to visit nearby Warnham Local Nature Reserve RH12 2RA The millpond dates back 1608 when it was created by excavations for iron ore and was once a playground for the young poet Shelley. It is now a nature reserve with a diverse mix of habitats which Open: Daily except 25/26 Dec 10am - 5pm, Café. Small admission charge. Warnham Local Nature Reserve

15 Rookwood Golf Course St. Margaret s Church Street, Warnham. RH12 3QW The church is substantially late medieval and Victorian, retaining no evidence of the Norman structure. The oldest visible parts of the church are the three eastern arches of the north arcade, which were built in was buried there in Rookwood Golf Course Robin Hood Lane, Warnham. RH12 3RR Award winning public pay and play, 18 hole, course golf, and a 9 hole Pitch & Putt course, all set within a Holmbush Farm World, Soft Play Area & Tea Room Faygate, nr Horsham. RH12 4SE Admission charged. Holmbush Paint Ball RH12 4SE Booking essential:

16 Seven days out around Horsham District: SATURDAY ancient forest of St. Leonards, famous for its legend of the dragon, the Wealdon iron industry and Royal hunting grounds. most noted guest was Winston Churchill. Most famous recently for hosting the G-20 Summit in 2009 Keep on the A281 as you pass through Cowfold, after you leave the village on the right you will see the This working monastery was featured in the St Hugh s Charterhouse, Parkminster large village has a number of interesting church of St. Peters dates in part to the 1200s. cricket club in the world, dating back to On your return journey to Horsham stop off walk along the river Adur to the lost harbour of Steyning, taking in our beautiful countryside For a scenic route back to Horsham why not return via the hamlets of Maplehurst and Nuthurst. At Cowfold then take the A272 west, after approximately 1½ miles turn right on to Maplehurst road.

17 Mock Bridge, Shermanbury Places to visit nearby Huxley Bird of Prey Centre at Hilliers Garden Centre, RH13 6QA Local history museum, Admission Free St. Giles, Shermanbury RH13 8HF The church is tucked away in a park half a mile from the nearest public road on the bank of the River Adur and is one of the oldest and most interesting churches in West Sussex. It is described in the Doomsday box pews inscribed with the names of surrounding houses. Interesting features include: a font which dates to the time of Henry lll ( ), a stained glass window with the seal of Henry VII, a piscina (a stone basin used for washing Communion vessels), a stone carved cats-head mask, male and female heads

18 Seven days out around Horsham District: SUNDAY Green (which once had a navigable canal built in 1826 connecting it to the coast, now disused), then on through Ashurst. Stop off at the village of Ashurst and view the Church of St. James, built in the 1200s. famous Sussex book The Roadmender in Another famous resident was the Actor Sir Laurence Olivier. Turn Left then sharp right to Steyning, famous for Saxon kings and the Norman Conquest. Steyning has many historic houses including the old Market house and the Grammar school in Church Street. Steyning month. Adjoining Steyning is the village of Bramber (to the south). Once an important port when the river was navigable to shipping, this picturesque village has the remains of a Norman castle, a church built in the village. Places to visit nearby Shrine of Our Lady of Consolation Park Lane, West Grinstead. with a tiny hidden chapel and two Priest Holes built into the chimney breast. The building is reputably the Steyning Museum day Sat and BH Mon. Winter: Closes ½ hour earlier. Bramber Castle Visit the Norman ruins of this motte-and-bailey Castle of Bramber and the Norman church of St. Nicholas, which is one of the oldest Norman churches in Sussex, constructed by William De Braose during the late 1000s. Open: Daily light hours. Free Admission. St. Mary s House and Gardens Bramber West Sussex BN44 3WE England s Thousand Best Houses

19 Open: May - Sept, Suns, Thurs, BH Mons 2-6pm. Café.Admission charged. Chanctonbury Ring Dominating the hilltop above Washington are the earthworks of Chanctonbury Ring, a small Iron age hillfort in the heart of the South Downs National Park. There are round barrows scattered along the ridge at Chanctonbury, one of which, to the west revealed round barrows. foot from Findon Village, Findon Valley or Washington. Cow shed studio art gallery web: Steyning Festival literature and walks. Something to suit all ages and interests for all the family to enjoy throughout the two weeks. For more information please see web: Chanctonbury Ring

20 VISITOR INFORMATION CENTRE 9 Causeway Horsham West Sussex RH12 1HE Tel: (01403) Fax: (01403) visitor.information@horsham.gov.uk Produced and published by Horsham District Council. This document is printed on environmentally friendly materials. November 2014