Henfield Area Guide

Henfield is a delightful rural market town unspoiled by busy traffic and motorways, with a history dating from 770 AD. It is situated on a ridge overlooking the River Adur and the South Downs in the Horsham District of West Sussex. As lovely a small town as you could ever wish to live in, whose rural setting and compactness means an intimate and friendly atmosphere and strong community spirit. There are fine houses, easy parking, decent restaurants and a comfortable pace of life that reminds you just how hectic most places are these days. Henfield is a village that is described as being good for the soul and today has a reputation for an art and culture following.

It lies 41 miles south of London, 12 miles northwest of Brighton, and 30 miles east northeast of the county town of Chichester at the road junction of the A281 and A2037.

Mentioned in the Domesday Book as part of Stretham Manor, Henfield possesses a rich heritage of cultural and architectural treasures. Evidence of early settlements date back to the Stone Age, but the name Henfield comes from the Anglo Saxon ‘Hamfield’ meaning a hamlet on high open ground. Situated on a sandy ridge and surrounded by Weald Clay, the soil is perfect for growing crops, and agriculture has remained at the heart of village life for hundreds of years.

At the centre stands St Peter’s Church. Constructed in 770 AD as a wooden building, it was said to be the first structure in the area. It was built in honour of St Peter by the command of King Osmund of the South Saxons. Since then, the church has undergone various renovations and improvements from adding the tower to house 8 church bells in 1450, to installing a 3 faced clock to commemorate the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee and then adding a new stone flooring with underfloor heating in 2008!

Its many listed buildings and old streets make Henfield an important conservation area. Venturing away from the High Street, down one of the many ‘twittens’, visitors will find themselves on one of Henfield’s three ancient Commons, Henfield, Broadmere and Oreham. The Commons have a fascinating history and today provide beautiful spots for walking, cycling and picnicking. Walk across Henfield Common to Swains farm shop to pick up some local Sussex food and drink for a picnic while watching a cricket match on what is thought to be the country’s oldest cricket ground, dating from 1771 with a women’s team formed in 2006. There is also a fire station, part of the West Sussex Fire Brigade, equipped with a single fire engine.

Henfield officially has the oldest Scout group in the country (1st Henfield), dating from 1907. The leather industry played an important part in the commercial development of the village and amongst the village’s interesting claims to fame are: a) the first Postmaster General lived in Henfield and invented the first postmark for mail and b) Henfield was the first place in Sussex to ban plastic bags in 2008!

Property

Historic buildings make the physical backbone of this village, but the ambience, hospitality and atmosphere are all just as genuine. Properties range from apartments, listed townhouses, country estates and historic buildings with charm and character through to large detached modern family homes, Victorian houses, terraced properties and bungalows; there really is something for all tastes and budgets.

Education

There are some outstanding primary and secondary school in the Henfield catchment area including St Peters C of E Primary School, Independents Hurstpierpoint College, Lancing College, Burgess Hill Girls School, St Paul’s Catholic College, Warden Park Secondary Academy in Cuckfield and Steyning Grammar.

Pre-school playgroups and nurseries include the Warren playgroup and Good start Nursery.

Shopping

A trip to the shops is always a pleasure in Henfield. Like stepping onto the set of a period drama, Henfield High Street is a wonderful mix of old and new. With an appearance that has remained largely unchanged for over 200 years, its contemporary array of shops has everything you need, from everyday essentials to gifts for special occasions.

Henfield has enjoyed a long, thriving history as a market village and there are regular farmers markets and the artisan food and drinks market.

South of the village on the road towards South Dole is a business park containing the Royal Mail Delivery Office, the Etwars and several notable small businesses.

Entertainment

There is a vibrant centre with many points of interest including the fascinating Henfield museum and a modern and intensely used village hall just off the High Street where the local theatre company holds its productions. A library, leisure centre, health centre and all essential amenities are to hand and easily accessible.

As Henfield is located just a short drive from both the South Downs National Park and the High Weald Area of Natural Beauty it is perfectly situated to take advantage of the best countryside in the southeast. Whether a morning hike to see the sunrise, a long walk with the dogs, or a family day out embracing nature, it can all be done a mere stone's throw from the village.

The Downs Link cycle route runs along the edge of Henfield and it provides a useful base for the South Downs and Woods Mill Nature Reserve making it a great place to stop for walkers, cyclists, families and local history enthusiasts.

Henfield is the place to be for both fine dining and more hearty meals.

The village is home to a Michelin-commended restaurant, the Ginger Fox, which is one of the jewels in Henfield's considerable culinary crown. The village is also overflowing with traditional British pubs serving up authentic British food, including The White Hart, The Wheatsheaf, The Fox, The Royal Oak and The Plough. And if afternoon tea is required Henfield Tea Rooms in the High Street offer a range of cafe food. It also sells a wide range of vintage, retro and shabby chic furniture and home accessories!

There are plenty of things to do in the village including a visit to Sussex Prairie Garden, Britain’s largest naturalistic garden with over 8 acres of stunning well thought out and cared for gardens. Henfield Museum is located within Henfield Hall showcasing the village’s reputation for its art and culture following and St Anthony’s Cottage, a fascinating testament to Henfield’s history, is one of the earliest surviving buildings in Henfield, a fantastic example of a traditional hall house building from the Middle Ages.

An annual garden and arts festival celebrates the village’s community and culture; the three commons provide perfect areas to explore, cycle play sport, go horse riding or enjoy as a family as well as to visit the annual summer fayre. All in all Henfield is brimming with activities to please all ages and interests.

Travel

Communication links from the Henfield to London, Gatwick and Brighton are excellent. Henfield is on the A281, between Horsham and the A23. Brighton, Shoreham and Worthing are easily accessible via the A23 or A24, and London and Gatwick airport via the M23.

Henfield does not have its own Railway station, but has multiple stations nearby including Hassocks (nearest and on the main Brighton to London line), Horsham, Shoreham and Worthing, connecting the village with London & the South Coast.

There are regular bus services to Brighton and Horsham (No. 17), Burgess Hill and Pulborough (No. 100) and Worthing (No. 106).