Local Attractions

Historic Buildings

Sussex is steeped in History with many fine Castles, Manor Houses, Cathedrals and Museums from Roman, Norman, Elizabethan, Georgian and Victorian times.

The better known sites are listed here with their web addresses, but there are many more.

In most cases the buildings, grounds and local facilities ensure a most enjoyable full day's entertainment and refreshments.

We have brochures in the cottage for these and many more attractions, we are also familiar with all of the venues and will be happy to help you make your holiday match your preferences.

Nearby is Parham with its Elizabethan House and Gardens, listed in the Top Twenty "England's Thousand Best Houses" http://www.parhaminsussex.co.uk

A bit further down the road is Amberley Museum, this is a working museum covering 36 acres of former chalk pits nestling under the South Downs http://www.amberleymuseum.co.uk 

From Amberley the road climbs the South Downs and gives stunning views of the River Arun and Arundel with it's ancient castle dating from 1067. http://www.arundelcastle.org

Take the A27 from Arundel heading west and soon you will be at Goodwood, famous for it's Horseracing (especially 'Glorious Goodwood') but also featuring a Historic House and many other events including the Festival of Speed and Goodwood Revival for motoring enthusiasts. http://www.goodwood.co.uk

Follow the picturesque country roads from Goodwood to Singleton and visit the Weald and Downland Museum and explore six centuries of traditional rural buildings and seven gardens featuring the herbs and plants used from medieval to Victorian times. http://www.wealddown.co.uk

Head North to Petworth and visit this 17th Century House and Grounds landscaped by ‘Capability’ Brown and immortalised in Turner’s paintings. The house contains the National Trust’s finest and largest collection of pictures, with numerous works by Turner, Van Dyck, Reynolds and Blake http://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/scripts/nthandbook.dll?ACTION=PROPERTY&PropertyId=249

South of Petworth lies Bignor home to the Roman Villa, the mosaic floors, discovered in 1811, are some of the finest in Britain including the longest on display in the country (24m, 80ft). The Romans even had under floor heating and you can see how the hypocaust system worked.  

Further South lies the delightful Georgian city of Chichester with it's 900 year old Cathedral http://www.chichestercathedral.org.uk

Gardens

Half an hour in a car will get you to Wakehurst the 'country garden' of the world famous Royal Botanic Gardens Kew. There are 500 acres of ornamental gardens, ponds, streams, aboretum and the Millennium Seed Bank (safeguarding the world's most endangered plants). More than a day's entertainment at any time of year, plus excellent pubs at nearby Ardingly. http://www.kew.org
On the way to Wakehurst near Haywards Heath is Borde Hill with its 200 acres of gardens. The garden was established from 1900 with plants gathered by the great plant collectors who travelled to the Himalayas, China, Burma, Tasmania and the Andes. http://www.bordehill.co.uk
 
Closer to home near Horsham is Leonards Lee. There are about 240 acres (almost 100 hectare) of grounds to explore, seven beautiful lakes in the valley, and nearly 10 miles (16kms) of garden paths and woodland walks. http://www.leonardslee.com

Location – Thakeham, West Sussex. See Google Maps

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