10 Fun things to do in Horsham

The market town of Horsham, nestled in West Sussex, is an attractive place to go shopping, eat out and wander around. In the heart of town, you can find Piries Place, a recent development home to various trendy restaurants and bars and a cinema.

Known as a growing town, Horsham has the best of rural life and good connections. You’re only 31 miles away from London with trains running frequently. Brighton and Chichester are also less than 30 miles away, giving you more opportunities for fun days out.

If you’re a history fan, you’ll want to take a stroll down the Causeway. This street is lined with ancient London Plane trees and houses dating back to the 17th, 18th and early 19th centuries.

If you’re thinking of visiting Horsham and want to plan your trip, we’ve got you covered. Read on to find out some fun things you can get up to on your visit.

1. Huxley's Birds of Prey Centre and Gardens

If you’re looking for somewhere to spend a good few hours, then Huxley’s is a beautiful place to do so.

This centre is home to numerous spectacular birds and blooming flowers. Summertime is a particularly beautiful time to visit, with the stunning colours of the plants really coming to life.

You can take a look around the award-winning gardens, breathe in the smell of lavender and view the biggest dahlia blooms you’ve ever seen. After that, you can rest on a seat by the Japanese water feature and allow yourself to relax.

There is also a choice of experience days that you can book on to. Try the Hawk Walk day for the opportunity to fly a hawk, or spend an afternoon learning about owls and flying different birds with the owl and raptor afternoon experience.

2. Horsham Museum And Art Gallery

Are you a fan of history? The Horsham Museum and Art Gallery displays various artefacts they have collected since 1893 relating to Horsham and the wider District. From costumes to photos and art, you can soak up the history and learn something new.

There are over 26 galleries to investigate within the medieval building and several exhibitions, such as the toy gallery, cabinet of curiosities and a vintage fire engine.

Before you visit, find out what’s happening while you’re there. The Horsham Museum and Art Gallery sometimes have events during school holidays and host numerous exhibitions throughout the year.

3. Horsham Park

Spend some time outdoors in the beautiful green space of Horsham Park. Walking around, you are surrounded by trees, wildlife and colourful flower beds to immerse you in nature. For an educational visit, check out the Human Nature Garden to learn about the link between people and plants.

For the disabled and visually impaired, the Park House Garden is a peaceful sensory garden you can enjoy before heading to the Kaya In The Park cafe for various food and refreshments.

If you’re up for more active things to do, there is a skatepark, tennis court, outdoor gym, football pitches and a children’s play area. If that isn't enough for you, you can also visit the Pavilions In The Park leisure centre, where you can enjoy swimming, sports activities and even splash discos.

4. Sumners Ponds

Love camping? Sumners Ponds offers five camping areas, each boasting different views and areas of the beautiful site. You can choose a nice spot to pitch your tent or park your motorhome, or you can visit in style in one of the glamping units available.

With the numerous ponds and lakes here, it’s no surprise that fishing is the main activity for visitors to get stuck in to. From perch to bream, carp, pike and more, you’ll easily spend hours catching all types of fish.

If you don’t like fishing, there are acres of woodland for you to investigate, as well as several footpaths and safe cycleways within and around the site. The cafe by the lake has a fully licensed bar and offers a great range of hot food, snacks, cakes and pastries.

5. Ceramic Shack Pottery Painting Studio

For someone with a creative flair or children to entertain, the Ceramic Shack is the perfect place. This family-run pottery painting studio in Horsham is a fun and welcoming space for people of all ages.

There are a whole host of items to choose from that you can decorate however you like, and once you’ve finished your masterpiece, the team will take your item to be glazed and fired. Finish your visit with some tasty food or a refreshing drink.

We’d like to point out that you collect your items a week later, so we recommend coming here at the start of your visit to Horsham if you plan to stay long enough. If you don’t have the time, the Ceramic Shack offers takeaway boxes with everything you need to make your creation at home.

6. Warnham Local Nature Reserve

Warnham Nature Reserve provides a wonderful haven for a variety of wildlife and plants. There are plenty of species of birds to spot, along with other wildlife such as deer, butterflies, mice, frogs, foxes and much more.

This 92-acre site includes a millpond, marshes, grassland, reed beds, hedges and woodlands for you to explore. The four hides and feeding stations are great spots to see wildlife, and the boardwalks take you across marshland and wet grassland areas.

After the stunning walks, you can take a break at the Herons Rest cafe for snacks and drinks before checking out the visitor centre and learning more about this beautiful place.

7. Chesworth Farm

Just a 10-minute walk from Horsham town centre, Chesworth Farm offers 90 fabulous acres filled with vibrant meadows and old hedgerows for you to investigate.

As you take a walk around, you can spot cattle, sheep and horses grazing in the wetland habitats and meadows. You’ll also see plenty of birds and butterflies on your journey, with barn owls visibly flying if you visit at dusk.

This farm is suitable for anyone, with the main paths being wheelchair accessible. Whether you’re walking your dog or fancy a scenic bike ride, the hidden gem of Chesworth Farm is certainly worth a visit (and it’s free!).

8. Horsham Market

If you’re in Horsham on a Saturday, we recommend stopping by Horsham Market. Numerous local businesses trade here, offering a variety of products.

Try some of the local produce available, like meats, cheeses, baked goods and organic fruit and veg. If you're feeling a bit peckish, several stalls sell mouth-watering hot food and drinks for you to take away.

Looking for a gift for someone? You can find a selection of art, jewellery, flowers, women’s accessories and gemstones to inspire you.

9. Swan Walk Shopping

Shopaholics will be delighted to stroll through the shops available in Swan Walk. You’ll find your familiar, favourite shops such as H&M, Boots, M&S, Next and The Body Shop.

There are also several premium beauty brands and quality independent retailers for you to find something new. Once you’re all shopped out, take a break at one of the cafes for a cuppa and food. There’s also a play cafe so you can relax while the little ones play.

10. Major Mind Games

For thrillseekers, Major Mind Games is a fun escape room experience. Challenge yourself to a variety of exhilarating adventures no matter your age or ability.

Beat the 60-minute timer by cracking codes, solving puzzles, following clues and submerging yourself in new dimensions. You can choose from two exciting adventures:

1. Bump In The Night - Imagine a dark room in a suburban house that keeps seven-year-old Frankie awake at night because he believes that “monsters” have been entering his room. You and your team portray paranormal investigators hired to figure out what’s happening. Frankie has left you some clues to get you going. 
2. Knottoosh Abbey: A Murder Mystery - You’re transported to 1924. A grand dinner party turns sour when a guest is found dead. You must investigate what has happened and who poisoned the guest by working your way through puzzles and solving clues.

With all this inspiration, we hope you have a great time visiting Horsham. Whether you’re enjoying some alone time or spending a trip with loved ones, you can be sure that there are plenty of places and activities for you to get stuck into.

Other Places

You may want to read about these other places: