Henfield: Discover Nature, Trails and Culture

Henfield combines open landscapes, varied trails and notable cultural attractions to create a destination with something for different types of holiday. Those looking for holiday accommodation in Henfield can shape their stay around walks on the Common, longer outings along the Downs Link, or local history at the museum and parish church. This makes it possible to plan an active, nature-focused or cultural day, depending on your interests.

Henfield Common and the landscape around the village

Henfield Common is an open space of more than 19 hectares on the edge of the village. It provides habitats for rare and sensitive wildlife, while grassland, wetlands and numerous native wildflowers are also part of this landscape. Henfield Common is registered as Common Land, while its northern section is designated as a Local Wildlife Site. These different designations highlight the area's special status without restricting you to just one way of exploring it.

Several footpaths cross Henfield Common and allow for short walks along its western edge. Other paths lead to Swains Farm and run parallel to Brighton Road from the High Street to the Cricket Club. For families with different interests, these sections of path can provide a way to avoid devoting the whole day to one long outing and instead combine shorter walks with other discoveries in Henfield.

Trails for different day plans

Between Henfield and Steyning, the Downs Link enters the floodplain of the River Adur. As a long-distance route for walkers, horse riders and cyclists, the Downs Link follows two disused railway lines. This gives Henfield access to a longer, landscape-focused outing. Whether you travel on foot, by bicycle or on horseback depends on your own plans; however, the route appeals to several forms of active exploration.

Woods Mill adds another perspective on the landscape as a nature reserve with wetlands and woodland. Together with Henfield Common and the Downs Link, it makes Henfield a destination where you can combine wildlife watching, short walks and longer trails in your plans. When choosing your accommodation, it is therefore worth considering first whether you mainly want to collect individual impressions of the landscape or plan several active days.

Museum, parish church and heritage trails

Henfield Museum has a collection of more than 20,000 objects, most of which are connected with Henfield and the surrounding parishes. For visitors who want to get to know the village through its history and setting, the collection offers a distinct focus. St Peter's Parish Church adds to this cultural side: it has a chancel arch dating from around 1200, a tower and a 15th-century Parham Chapel. The nave, aisles, transepts and chancel were rebuilt in 1870.

There are also various heritage trails in the Parish of Henfield. Families travelling with children can combine these themes with a visit to the museum or a short walk around the village; those with a stronger interest in architectural history will find specific historical details at St Peter's. For travel by train, Hassocks and Haywards Heath are the nearest stations to Henfield Museum. This information can be taken into account when planning your journey and choosing the right focus for your holiday.

Henfield as a starting point for your accommodation search

Henfield suits trips where nature and culture are not meant to be considered separately. It is best to choose a holiday apartment or holiday house according to your preferred rhythm: short walks across Henfield Common, an outing along the Downs Link, a visit to the museum or an exploration of the history of St Peter's can each form the centre of a day.

If you would like to continue your search beyond Henfield, you will find further destination pages for Ford, Bolney, Littlehampton, Faygate, Pulborough, Ardingly, Boxgrove and Lower Beeding.

To the main travel overview: West Sussex.