Out and about around Carylls

What else can Carylls offer apart from a place to stay close to Gatwick, Horsham and Crawey? There is plenty to see and do round and about, making Carylls a good base for a non-coastal holiday in the UK.

On its doorstep is Holmbush Farm World (RH12 4SE), in Faygate itself. Open from February to November, there are farm animals to see as well as demonstrations, trailer rides, play areas, woodland walk, and a tearoom.

Another farm in the area is Tulleys Farm, Turner’s Hill, near Crawley (RH10 4PE). Open all year, there are animals, play area, maze and fun park, special events, pick your own in the summer, farm shop and tearoom. www.tulleysfarm.com 01342 718472

The Toyhorse International Stud Farm is at Howick Farm, Billingshurst (RH14 9BQ), where the tiniest horses in the world can be seen, also llamas and other animals. Open from Easter to November. www.toyhorse.co.uk 01403 822639

For history buffs there is the Horsham Museum is in the same building as the Tourist Information Centre at 9 The Causeway (RH12 1HE). Open all year except Sundays and Bank Holidays, there are 26 galleries, including a photographic gallery. Exhibits include dinosaur bones, Egyptian relics, costume, and toys. Also a walled garden. www.horshammuseum.org 01403 254959

Not far away is the Crawley Museum in Goffs Park House (behind Goffs Manor pub), Old Horsham Road (RH11 8PE). Open Wednesdays, Thursdays, Sundays and Bank Holidays all year except mid December to mid January. Local history from the Stone Age to the present. www.crawleymuseum.moonfruit.com 01293 539088

Seemingly part of the Crawley Museum is Ifield Watermill at Hyde Drive, Ifield, Crawley (RH11 0LS), the last working watermill in West Sussex to be powered by its own water source. This former corn mill is open on the last Sunday of the month from May to September. www.crawleymuseum.moonfruit.com 01293 539088

Shipley Windmill, Near Horsham (RH13 8PL) is said to be the best working Smock Mill in West Sussex. Open first and third Sunday and Bank Holiday Mondays Easter to October. Refreshments. www.shipleywindmill.org.uk 01403 730439

Gardens are always popular and the countryside around Carylls has its fair share, including a National Trust property, Nymans at Handcross (RH17 6EB). Important collection of rare plants, and a house and ruins set in a wooded estate. Garden, shop, and restaurant open Wednesday to Sunday all year. House open spring to November (check opening date before visiting). www.nationaltrust.org.uk/nymans 01444 405250

High Beeches Woodland and Water Gardens are also in Handcross (RH17 6HQ). Rare plants are found here too, and the best natural wildflower meadow in the South East. Open spring to October (check opening date before visiting) except Wednesdays. Tearoom opens all year except Wednesdays. www.highbeeches.com 01444 400589

Not too far away is Wakehurst Place at Ardingly (RH17 6TN), a 500 acre satellite of Kew Gardens and home to the Millennium Seed Bank, the world’s biggest wild plant seed bank. Open all year. Visitor centre, tearoom, plant shop. www.kew.org 01444 894069

Near to Horsham, at Lower Beeding, is Leonardslee Lakes and Gardens (RH13 6PP) with seven lakes. Famed for the rhododendrons and azaleas in the spring. Wallabies and deer in the grounds. Exhibition of a country estate and a market town of 100 years ago in 1/12th scale. Open April to October. Restaurant and plant sales. www.leonardsleegardens.com 01403 891212

While on the subject of market towns, there is a Farmers’ Market in Horsham every Saturday at Carfax. 01403 215386

For nature lovers, the Buchan Country Park, Horsham Road, near Crawley (RH11 9HQ) has 69 hectares of woodland and ponds. Open all year. www.westsussex.gov.uk/buchan 01293 542088
Warnham Nature Reserve, Horsham (RH12 2RA) has 92 acres of woods, ponds, streams, meadow and reedbeds, also bird hides and a visitor centre. Open all year. Rookwood Golf Course it set within the reserve (see below). www.horshamdistrictcountryside.org 01403 256890
Or spend some time exploring Carylls own extensive grounds with rabbits, deer and other British wildlife. Open all year to residents.

For golfers there is Rookwood Golf Course at Warnham, Horsham (R12 3RR) with public pay and play. 18 holes, 9 hole pitch and putt. Set within Warnham Nature Reserve. www.rookwoodgolfcourse.co.uk 01403 252123

Swimmers might like to try the indoor or outdoor heated pools found at The Pavilions in the Park, Hurst Road, Horsham (RH12 2DF), situated in Horsham Park. There is a 25 mete pool and a toddlers pool among other features, also health and fitness suites, play area, crèche and café. www.thepavilionsinthepark.co.uk 01403 219200

Athletics and sports facilities can be accessed all year at the Broadbridge Heath Leisure Centre, Wickhurst Lane, Horsham (RH12 3YS). www.broadbridgeheathleisurecentre.co.uk 01401 211311 Fitness and leisure facilities for all can be accessed at K2 Crawley, Pease Pottage Hill (RH11 9BQ). www.freedom leisure.co.uk/K2 01293 585300

Finally, for theatregoers, there is The Capitol (theatre and cinema) in North Street, Horsham (RH12 1RG). www.thecapitolhorsham.com 01403 750220
Also The Hawth, Hawth Avenue, Crawley (RH10 6YZ). www.hawth.co.uk 01293 553636

The information in this article has been taken from publicly available information and is correct according to that information (E&OE). Where opening dates may be liable to change from the information accessed, the words “check opening date before visiting” have been added. However, it is advisable to check opening times and special events before visiting any venue to avoid disappointment if the venue has to close, restrict access or change arrangements for any reason.

“Open all year” usually excludes Christmas Day, and maybe also Christmas Eve and/or Boxing Day. Check before visiting over the Christmas and New Year season.

Post codes are included for SatNav.

Horsham Tourist Information Centre, 9 The Causeway, Horsham RH12 1HE
www.horsham.gov.uk tourist.information@horsham.gov.uk 01403 211661

Crawley Visitor Information Centre, County Mall, Crawley, RH10 1FP www.crawley.gov.uk 01293 611975

Special offer for January 2010

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Carylls Country House, West Sussex, for short-term en-suite self-catering lets - convenient for Gatwick, Crawley and Horsham.

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