Ever since I moved out of Brighton and got two dogs, I’ve loved exploring around areas like Haywards Heath, a beautiful town in West Sussex with direct train routes between Brighton and London.
One thing that drives me nuts with these lists is that you see some great suggestions and then find out they’re not even in Haywards Heath. I have a separate article on the best things to do in Burgess Hill, as well as activities in Brighton, so I’ll keep this one specific and limited to purely activities in the area.
1) Borde Hill
Now I’m a little bit gutted, as this used to be the home of the British food festival every year, but sadly this ended a couple of years ago. It never achieved the footfall you see at Brighton Food Festival, but that’s why it was amazing, it was more local and calmer in a nice way.
Borde Hill is certainly worth visiting, with the garden covering 383 acres of land on a Grade II heritage listed parkland. Be aware that it is shut during the winter months, but you have a good 9 month window to come by and explore.
They also host a number of events, from live music shows to workshops and family-friendly activities.
Under 3’s go free, while you can get group family discounts (albeit not a huge amount off per person). They also have membership prices, in case you’d like to visit regularly.
2) Beech Hurst Miniature Railway
Formed in 1951, this is a great activity for families, as you board along these tiny trains. Open from 2-5pm, this is just a 3 hour window so make sure to arrive with plenty of time if you want to make the most of your trip.
They charge £2 per person, which really isn’t much compared to many activities nowadays, making this an affordable day out. Also, the staff are volunteers, which is nice to see and makes you want to support them.
It should be highlighted that the rides are weather permitting, so if they’re expecting a storm, maybe give the trip a miss and come back another day, so as to avoid disappointment.
There is a public car park nearby, which is free for up to 4 hours, ideal considering it’s open for 3 hours. You can also just take a train to Haywards Heath station and then walk 15 minutes until you reach Beech Hurst.
3) Nymans House National Trust
This is a National Trust property and while I’ve titled this around the house, it’s really the gardens that bring in the most visitors, especially during the summer months when the flowers are blooming.
That’s not to downplay the beauty of the house, which really is stunning. But the woodland trails and gardens provide an amazing green aspect and also attract a lot of dog owners. For those that love flowers, you might want to visit in spring to see them blossoming.
Ok, I have to quickly mention this one is a bit outside of Haywards Heath, so you may need a car (plenty of parking spots) or you can take the 271 bus, which takes around 23 minutes. The 271 isn’t all that regular, so you do have to work out your route, otherwise you may be stuck taking an Uber home.
You can go on a guided tour of the gardens, or just explore for yourself. Plus there is a nice café where you can relax and enjoy a coffee and cake.
4) Tennis or Relax In Victoria Park
Victoria Park is actually surprisingly big as you enter from South Road, while you will also find a tennis club at the far South end.
They do charge for a membership, so this isn’t something you can just pop in and play, but if you fancy signing up as a local then this is a great activity for exercise and brilliant fun with a mate or a chance to meet other people.
Nearby in Victoria Park is Tory’s Café In The Park. You can expect plenty of cakes, biscuits and brunch, with a decent coffee, exactly what you need if you’re out and about on a Sunday. The café is open 7 days a week, from 9:30am till 4pm.
You’ll often see people playing football during the day, while there is a children’s play area, ideal for families wanting to get out of the house. This is also a great route to take the dogs, something we did with Ruby and Nova and they loved how expansive it was.
5) Venture To Lindfield
I remember us driving through Lindfield and we had to stop the car to admire how beautiful it was. If I win the lottery, this is where I’m moving to.
There is a high street, so you don’t have to worry about being a bit further away from central Hayward’s Heath. On the high street you’ll find a number of independent stores and cafés.
Arguably the part which I thought was the most stunning was near the large pond, where ducks were floating and couples sat on benches in the sun.
There are a number of traditional pubs, 4 pubs in total, in the Lindfield area, while this offers the option to stop off for a Sunday roast or during the week you can eat Thai. The pubs all have a friendly atmosphere and have good ales on tap.
Plus if you time your visit for Lindfields bonfire night, they have an amazing street parade and show, plus burning of the effigy.
6) Explore The High Street
You can head down South Road, where you will find numerous restaurants, bars and shops, as well as access to Victoria Park, while South Road is also where you will find the Orchards Shopping Centre.
The Orchards shopping centre has a public toilet, plus toy shops, a gym, a hairdressers and an M&S, to name a few.
I’m trying my best to support the high street where possible, especially the independent stores, therefore I’m trying to buy something along here each time I visit.
