Kingsfold is not really a village, and certainly not a town. It’s a good combination of being within easy distance of Gatwick, London, Brighton and many other great destinations, and amidst West Sussex’s rolling countryside, with very easy access to walks, and a myriad of local micro producers, specialists, and pretty villages. It also has a pub, The Owl, just a minute’s drive up the road. We are within an hour’s drive to Glyndebourne (36 miles), Hickstead (17 miles), and Goodwood (34 miles).
The market town of Horsham itself hosts interesting stalls on Thursday, Saturday and some Sundays, for the market – and is is buzzing with shops – chain and unique – supermarkets including Waitrose, Sainsburys & Tesco, restaurants, cafes and pubs. Worth a visit for breakfast or an afternoon tea and cake, in one of the cafes that spill onto the cobbled street.
Restaurants & Pubs –
– Tristans is the top restaurant of the Town, Michelin rated, and needs to be booked well in advance. http://www.restauranttristan.co.uk/
Tristans – Michelin starred local dining
– A little further afield, Dorking has a good range of eateries. Just outside the town is a lovely pub, The Wooton Hatch. http://www.wottonhatch.co.uk/
– Gomshall Mill, Gomshall, towards Guildford – a little further afield, but an interesting place in a pretty cluster of businesses on the road to Guildford. Good food and warm atmosphere, despite the mill actually running through the building! http://www.homecountiespubs.co.uk/gomshallmill/homepage/
– The Parrot Inn is around 10 – 15 minutes away, in Forest Green. It has a good atmosphere and lovely food. Next door is a farmers shop worth a visit too. http://www.theparrot.co.uk/pub.htm
Farm Shops & produce –
A range of local producers can usually be found in the Horsham Saturday street market – worth a visit for good atmosphere and an eclectic mix of wares. http://www.foodrockssouth.co.uk/horshammarkets/ Horsham Street Market
Ockley Farmers Market is a low key shop less than 10 minutes away – http://www.surreyhills.org/events/ockley-farmers-market/
The Milk Churn, Rudgwick is a popular cafe and supplier of their own fab cheese https://www.bookhams.com/pages/cafe-at-the-brickworks
The Parrot Inn Farm Shop, Forest Green is next to the pub – both worth a visit. http://www.theparrot.co.uk/shop.htm
Vineyards –
Bolney – Haywards Heath award winning, a little smaller and further away than Denbies but worth a visit, and trip to the super care. Discount vouchers usually available online for tasting & tours. https://www.bolneywineestate.com/
Bolney vineyard & estate, Haywards Heath
Denbies – Dorking’s famous English Vineyard offers wonderful walks across the Downs as well as an educational tour or fun ride in the vineyard ‘train’, a good value meal in the restaurant and surprising shopping opportunities in their somewhat bizarre gift shop. Again, discount tours can usually be purchased online, but are worth the full price too. Reputed to be the UK’s largest vineyard. http://www.denbies.co.uk/
Other attractions worth a visit –
Wisley RHS gardens
Stunning. About 40 minutes drive. Stay for the day, any time of the year. https://www.rhs.org.uk/gardens/wisley
Nymans RHS Garden
Just under 20 minutes drive – another stunning RHS garden. Walks, delicious cafe and abundant plant nursery and RHS shop. A treat whatever the weather.
https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/nymans
Denhams Auctioneers
Just 2 minutes down the road, towards Horsham. Amazing pandora’s box of a place just before an auction, and astonishingly good prices (to a London girl, anyway!) You’ll wish you bought the lorry rather than the car. https://denhams.com/
