Discover Henfield: Nature, Trails and Local History

When planning a stay in Henfield, you can choose different focuses: countryside and walking trails on the one hand, and collection history and historic architecture on the other. Henfield Common is the natural highlight, while the museum, St Peter’s Parish Church and various heritage trails offer other ways to explore the area. When choosing your destination, you can consider which of these themes you would like to shape your stay.

Countryside and walking trails

Henfield Common lies on the edge of the town and is an open space of more than 19 hectares. It provides habitats for rare and sensitive wildlife, as well as grassland and wetlands; it also features numerous native wildflowers. The Common is registered as Common Land. The Local Wildlife Site designation applies specifically to its northern section. Thus, the description of its size and habitats sits alongside a designation with a more limited geographical scope. Nature enthusiasts can consider the area, its habitats and its plants as separate aspects when choosing a destination.

Several footpaths cross Henfield Common. Paths along its western edge allow for short walks; others lead to Swains Farm or run parallel to Brighton Road between High Street and the Cricket Club. The route information therefore distinguishes between an expressly short walking option and paths described by reference to named destinations or road sections. If you are considering Henfield for its footpaths, this distinction is a practical point to bear in mind when planning.

The Downs Link is a different kind of route: a long-distance trail for walkers, horse riders and cyclists that follows two disused railway lines. Between Henfield and Steyning, it enters the River Adur floodplain. Its long-distance character and the user groups listed distinguish the Downs Link from the short walks along the western edge of the Common. When planning your trip, you can consider these two scales separately, rather than treating local footpaths and the long-distance route as the same thing.

Museum, architecture and local history

The Henfield Museum collection comprises more than 20,000 objects; most are connected with Henfield and the surrounding communities. Its subject matter therefore relates not only to the town itself, but also to the wider region. For travellers who would like to explore local history as well as the countryside and trails, the museum is a distinct cultural highlight. Its collection can be considered separately from the natural features of the Common and the specific routes described.

The building phases of St Peter’s Parish Church also provide a way to understand its history. The chancel arch dates from around 1200; the tower and Parham Chapel are from the 15th century. The nave, aisles, transepts and chancel were rebuilt in 1870. These details distinguish the different building periods, identifying both medieval features and the parts specifically rebuilt in 1870. The Parish of Henfield also has various heritage trails. Together with the museum collection and the church, these add another connection to the area’s history alongside the countryside and walking trails.

Getting to Henfield Museum

Hassocks and Haywards Heath are the nearest railway stations to Henfield Museum. Check this rail information again before travelling. This lets you plan your journey with the museum in mind, while also deciding whether the countryside, walking trails or local history should play a greater part in your stay.

Discover more destinations: Rusper, Partridge Green, Wisborough Green, Pulborough, Steyning, Madehurst, Findon, Hurstpierpoint.

For the broader travel guide: West Sussex.