Wineham Area Guide

Wineham is a pretty rural hamlet in the Shermanbury civil parish of the Horsham district of West Sussex. It lies south of the A272 road, and approximately 2.5 miles northeast of Henfield. Historically called Wyndham the settlement has one public house, the Royal Oak, which has operated since the late 1700’s however the building itself goes way back to the 1400’s with many of the original features still in place.

Property

Modern bungalows located alongside large estates with detached country houses, rural farmhouses and 16^th century listed period properties featuring charming oak beams dating back more than 500 years, all go to make up the rich architectural fabric that is the rural idyll of Wineham.

Education

The local primary schools serving the village are outstanding and include Twineham C of E and St Peter’s C of E in Henfield. Independent Lancing College, Hurstpierpoint College, Brighton College, Cottesmore School, Windlesham House, Handcross Park, Sompting Abbotts and LVS Hassocks all easily accessible and there are some excellent senior state schools in the locale.

Shopping

Shops and a range of other facilities can be found in Henfield, approx. 4 miles southwest of Wineham, with a late night opening store in Cowfold village, approx. 4.25 miles away. More extensive facilities can be found in Haywards Heath, approx. 8.5 miles to the east including a wide range of shops, restaurants and other amenities. The old market town of Horsham is approximately 11 miles to the northwest and the cosmopolitan coastal city of Brighton approx. 13 miles south, both offering outstanding recreational and cultural facilities with an amazing array of shops, restaurants, clubs, cafes and bars in Brighton.

Entertainment

There are excellent facilities for leisure and sporting pursuits in the locality and many footpaths for scenic walks and bridleways including the South Downs and Ashdown Forest. An excellent walk for example is the Shermanbury and Wineham Circular, an 11.7 kilometer loop trail located near Henfield that features a pretty river as part of its course.

Wineham is ideally located for the thriving local equestrian scene with racing at Goodwood, Fontwell, Brighton, Plumpton and Lingfield; Polo at Cowdray Park and Knepp Castle and equestrian events at the Royal Leisure Centre at Woodmancote, Ardingly, Warnham & Hickstead. Golf for enthusuiasts is available at the neighbouring Singing Hills course and at Pyecombe, Devils Dyke, Worthing, Horsham & Pulborough. Sailing can be enjoyed at Chichester, Shoreham-by-Sea and Brighton Marina as well as at Weir Wood and Ardingly reservoirs. For slightly more leisurely pursuits Wickwoods country & sports club and spa is within 4 miles.

For more cultural activities there is a thriving theatre scene in Brighton and Chichester with annual festivals and opera can be enjoyed at Glyndebourne.

The Royal Oak in Wineham is as traditional a British pub as you are ever likely to find. Beers and Ales poured from the cask compliment a fantastic selection of wines and great pub food. The atmosphere is very welcoming and the locals are always willing to chat. With a huge garden, a huge fireplace and heaps of historical charm this is definitely a pub for all seasons! There is a busy events calendar including celebrations of Burns Night, Christmas carol singing, cabarets with dinner and so on, the pub is the real hub of the community.

Other local places of interest include Wakehurst Place, Nymans Gardens, Borde Hill Gardens, the Bluebell Railway, Brighton with its iconic seaside and historic Lewes.

Travel

Communication links from Wineham are excellent, the A23 to Brighton and the South coast being 3 miles away and the M25 to Gatwick Airport, Heathrow and London serving the north from the A23. Journey times to Gatwick Airport and Brighton are less than half an hour’s drive

Main line stations to London are located a short drive away at Hassocks and Haywards Heath taking less than 60 minutes to link with the capital meaning the village is perfect for commuters.