See & Do
***
Local Pubs
There is a huge number of excellent pubs in the local area that cater for all tastes. Here is a list of some of our favourites…
The Greets Inn & The Sussex Oak - Warnham
The Chequers Inn - Rowhook
The Frog & Nightgown - Faygate
The Crabtree - Lower Beeding, Horsham
The Parrot - Forest Green
We do recommend making a reservation especially in the evening and on weekends.
***
For Kids
We have a terrific number of family-friendly farms that you can visit within a 25-45 minute drive:
Fishers Farm, Washbrooks Family Farm, Bocketts Farm, Godstone Farm and our absolute favourite is the Discovery Trail at Priory Farm. You can also feed the chickens at Macs Farm, watch lambs and calves being born at Coombes Farm, or walk among the butterflies at Middleton Common Farm.
There are also a number of soft plays and other activity centres:
Happy Scamps - soft play & cafe, ages 0-5
Treasure Chest - soft play & cafe, ages 0-11
Sharky’s - soft play & cafe, ages 1-12
Let’s Explore - soft play & cafe, ages 0-10
Little Street - Childrens’ role play centre, ages 1-10
Jumpin Fun - Inflatable theme park, all ages
The Pavilions - swimming, soft play, playground, all ages
The Bridge - clip ‘n climb, gym, multi sports, sensory room, all ages
Clip ‘n Climb - climbing, soft play & laser tag, all ages
Go Ape - treetop adventures, all ages (over 1m tall)
Hollywood Bowl - bowling and arcades, all ages
***
Historic Castles & Beautiful Gardens
Visit one of the many National Trust properties in the area. The closest ones include Nymans, Polesden Lacey and Petworth House and park.
Walk the stunning gardens and lakes at Leonardslee before tucking in to a delicious cream tea.
Visit the stunning Hannah Peschar Sculpture Garden in nearby Ockley
Explore Kew’s wild botanic garden at Wakehurst, home to the millenium seed bank and 500 acres of plants from around the world.
Borde Hill Gardens and Estate includes 383 acres of heritage listed parkland with over 95 champion tree specimens.
Travel through time from 1067 to present day at Arundel Castle. Tour the castle and gardens, witness a medieval joust and wander the historic streets and antique shops nestled outside the castle walls.
***
Walks
Local walks - Guests can join a local footpath that crosses the field right in front of The Pump House, and connects with multiple other footpaths that lead you into the village of Warnham and the surrounding countryside. There is a map on the coffee table, but you can also find a map here and more information here.
Leith Hill - You can walk (or cycle) to the top of Leith Hill, the highest point in the southeast, where you will find a tower and cafe with glorious uninterrupted views all the way to London in the north and the English Channel in the south! There are multiple routes to the top, but you will find the easiest if you park at the Starveall car park.
Downs link - The Downs link is a former railway line that runs from Guildford all the way to Shoreham-by-Sea. Suitable for walking, cycling and running here are a few places to park that give direct access to the route:
Slinfold - There are a few parking spaces at the end of Spring Lane. Turn right to walk towards Rudgwick, turn left to walk towards Christs Hospital.
Rudgwick - You can park next to the lovely Milk Churn cafe just outside Rudgwick and enjoy a well earned bite to eat there after your walk.
Southwater - There is ample parking at the Southwater Sports Club that leads directly on to the Downs Link. If you turn left, you will quickly come across the Bax Castle pub, a great lunch spot, and to the right is a great little playground.
Knepp Estate - The stunning Knepp estate is just a 20 minute drive. Multiple footpaths will allow you to explore their pioneering rewilding project. Keep an eye out for Purple Emperor butterflies, nightingales, turtle doves or even nesting white storks.
Horsham Town Centre - The Horsham Society gives guided walks around the historic centre of Horsham every Wednesday and Sunday from the beginning of April until the end of September. Meet outside Horsham Museum in the Causeway at 2.30pm. The walk takes about 1 hour 45 minutes and covers about 1.5 miles. Booking is not required.
Abinger Roughs in Surrey Hills - children will love playing in the natural play area at Abinger Roughs followed by a cooling paddle in the river at Abinger Hammer.
South Downs National Park - The park stretches across 3 counties, Hampshire, West Sussex and East Sussex, and there are hundreds of different walks you can enjoy. You can find more information here and here.
For other walks in the area you can check out Fancy Free Walks.
***
The Beach
It takes 30-35 minutes to drive to the south coast from here. There are some brilliant dog-friendly beaches you can visit all year round, with great cafes and easy parking:
Littlehampton has the brilliant Beach cafe with a carpark opposite.
Goring has the Sea Lane cafe, Ferring has the Bluebird cafe and Lancing has the Perch cafe, as well as a playground and car park right next to the beach.
West Wittering beach is the best sandy beach in the area. It is approximately 1 hour by car, but can take longer in the summer months. We highly recommend pre-booking parking in the summer months as it can be incredibly busy.
***
Family Adventures
Cycling - Hire bikes from Southwater Cycles in Loxwood
Narrowboats - Book a narrowboat trip on the Wey & Arun canal in nearby Loxwood.
Open water swimming & Paddleboarding - Head to The Shac in the Surrey Hills for some fun for all the family.
Canoe, Paddleboard or Kayak - you can hire a canoe, paddleboard or kayak in Pulborough and float down the River Arun in the South Downs National Park.
Outdoor Swimming Pools - Spend the day by the pool at Burford Bridge Lido at the foot of Box Hill or head south to the lido in beautiful Arundel.
Coffee in the Copse - Head out on foot off the beaten track, along woodland paths to find a secret cafe hidden in the Surrey Hills.
Pick Your Own - Spend a sunny afternoon at New House Farm “Pick Your Own” just outside Horsham and fill your bellies with strawberries and raspberries.
Local History - Learn about the history, architecture and rural life of the area at the fabulous Weald and Downland living museum, also home to BBC’s Repair Shop programme.
Located in a old chalk quarry Amberley Museum has over 40 different exhibits showcasing the areas industrial past.
Shopping - head to Brighton for delicious food, tons of shops, the pier, the beach and plenty of fun!
***