10 Best Things To Do In Haywards Heath: Top Choices For 2023

Haywards Heath is one of West Sussex’s hidden gems. This town, situated in the heart of mid-Sussex, has an impressive collection of historical houses and several great places to explore. If you’re visiting this town and wondering what to do during your stay, we’ve got you covered with our curated list of fun and thrilling things to do in Haywards Heath.

Whether you’re a nature lover, a history buff or a fan of adventure, Haywards Heath has something exciting for you. We’ll go over everything, including beautiful gardens and parks as well as formal and informal recreational activities in this town.

Table Of Contents

1 10 Best Things To Do In Haywards Heath
2 Frequently Asked Questions
3 Conclusion

10 Best Things To Do In Haywards Heath

Haywards Heath is a small town in West Sussex, about 36 miles (58 km) south of London. The town has a rich history, dating back to Victorian and Edwardian times. While there are numerous nearby attractions to visit, we’ll explore the 10 best ones it offers.

1. Enjoy Borde Hill Garden

Borde Hill is one of the most beautiful gardens near Haywards Heath. The stunning herbaceous borders, rare shrubs and flowers make this garden appealing to nature lovers. It also has one of the largest collections of champion trees in the UK.

Borde Hill Garden is a great place to visit when you need to relax with family and friends. You’ll get to experience the joyous balance of nature and fill your camera roll with a series of lovely photos.

The garden also has a zip-wire and a children’s playground, so your kids are not left out of the fun. You’ll also get a treat of Haywards Heath food and tasty drinks at the cafe.

Tip: If you’re staying in Haywards Heath for several days, consider booking accommodation in advance to get the best prices.

2. Have Fun At The Dolphin Leisure Centre

Dolphin Leisure Centre is the place to visit if you want to remain physically active during your time in Haywards Heath. This nice building, located on Pasture Hill Road, has several great recreational facilities.

There are two public pools, one for adults and the other a separate space for children. The leisure centre also has a large dry sports hall, a squash court, fitness and health suites and meeting rooms.

Outside, there’s a large car park to accommodate multiple vehicles and an open area for your kids to run around.

3. Visit Nymans Gardens and House

Nymans Gardens and House is one of the UK’s most beautiful green spots, and it also has a long history. The gardens were developed at the start of the 19th century when Ludwig Messel bought the Nymans’ estate and decided to create a dream home for his family.

Nymans Gardens and House is a great place for families to visit, with many exciting activities for adults and children.

Get ready to enjoy incredible views of the water cascades and take beautiful photos of the flowers and trees. You can also explore the woods using the woodland dog-walking track around the gardens.

4. Paint Pottery At Fun Pots

If you’re feeling creative, make your way to Fun Pots on Sussex Road, where you and your family can enjoy painting pottery and ceramics.

This pottery painting studio is one of the best children’s attractions in the town. You’ll learn all about paints and painting techniques that can help you create special items. Children will have fun painting their favourite items while learning about art.

Fun Pots also teaches you to create art out of your baby’s foot and handprints. It also hosts children’s parties, so you can celebrate your little one’s birthday here.

5. Explore Wakehurst

Enjoy a perfect day out at Wakehurst, a botanic garden on Selsfield Rd, Haywards Heath. This big garden is situated in an ‘Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty’ and features wildlife and over 500 acres of ornamental gardens and wildflower meadows.

Wakehurst is now home to the National Seed Bank, which conserves around 10% of the world’s plant species for the future.

Wakehurst enjoys high rainfall, and its moisture-retentive soils ensure that the plants stay blooming in every season. The gardens are very large, so allow at least half a day if you want to explore them extensively.

Check out our article on things to do in Chichester.

6. Attend A Concert At Clair Hall

Clair Hall, Haywards Heath, is a theatre building that serves as a community venue. The hall has been around since 1971, when it was built as a part of a civic complex.

It is currently Haywards Heath’s main cultural venue, offering facilities to host civic functions, meetings and conferences. The Haywards Heath Operatic Society hosts two shows a year in this facility, while the Weald Theatre Group puts on an annual pantomime every Christmas.

You can attend any of the concerts being held during your visit. Clair Hall also serves as the town’s cinema, showing current movies in the main hall.

7. Check Out Beech Hurst Park Miniature Railway

While you’re in Beech Hurst, visit Harvester, which is regarded as one of the best places to eat in Haywards Heath.

This miniature railway runs over a half-mile track, offering great views of the surrounding area. It features two tunnels, steaming bays and a fully automatic colour light signalling system, just like a real railway.

This Haywards Heath park also has a playground for children as well as tennis courts, an artificial bowling strip and petanque pistes.

8. Sheffield Park Station - Bluebell Railway

The Bluebell Line is the UK’s first preserved standard gauge passenger railway. It runs over 11 miles (17.7 km), going from West Sussex to East Sussex.

The Bluebell Railway uses steam trains, which operate between Sheffield Park and East Grinstead, while having intermediate stations at Kingscote and Horsted Keynes.

It serves as a tourist attraction, allowing visitors to experience what it is like to board these historic steam trains.

9. Ride Horses At Tremaines Riding Stables

Visit Tremaines Stables if you’re looking to get some horseback riding lessons or just ride some horses during your time in Haywards Heath.

This stable offers lessons to adults and children over three. You’ll learn everything, including how to care for horses and develop a bond with them.

Tip: If you’re a beginner rider, remember to be confident when controlling your horse.

One of the qualities that make Tremaines so special is that many of the horses in this stable are rescues who have been given a chance at a better life.

Check out fun things to do in Horsham, another beautiful town in West Sussex.

10. Combined Hedonism For The End: The Hop Sun & Latchetts Farm

For the perfect end to your exploration, make some time to visit The Hop Sun and Latchetts Farm.

The Hop Sun, owned by Heathen Brewers, is a taproom on Triangle Road in Haywards Heath. It’s the perfect place to visit if you want to enjoy a drink in a laid-back environment. Choose from the diverse selection of beers sourced from Heathen Brewers and further out.

If you’d rather indulge in child-friendly beverages, Latchetts Farm is the place to be. This ice cream parlour sells the most delicious flavours of ice cream, as well as cakes and coffee. It also has a wooded nature trail with rope bridges to provide your kids with some adventure.

SDVH’s 7-seater minibus hire is just perfect for small groups looking to explore Haywards Heath attractions. You can also contact us for a range of other minibus options.

Frequently Asked Questions

What Is Haywards Heath Famous For?

Haywards Heath is famous for having an impressive collection of old buildings. The town has many houses that date back to the Victorian and Edwardian eras. You may also know Haywards Heath as the site of the Battle of Muster Green, a battle between the Royalist army and the Parliamentarian army in 1642.

What Are The Best Free Things To Do In Haywards Heath?

The best free things to do in Haywards Heath are visiting Borde Hill and Beech Hurst Gardens. Beech Hurst Gardens has a beautiful public park and charming trees, making it great for a picnic lunch and walks. Although you need to pay an admission fee to enter the main part of Borde Hill Garden, you can access the parkland and picnic lawn areas for free.

Is Haywards Heath Expensive To Live?

Yes, Haywards Heath is expensive to live in. The general cost of living in Sussex is about 7% higher than the national average. For example, Haywards Heath’s housing costs are higher than the UK’s average. However, the town has valuable local amenities and attractions and excellent transport links to top UK cities, which makes it a great place to live.

What Is Haywards Heath Like?

Haywards Heath is like a mix of rural and urban living. The town has many old houses, mostly situated on mature grounds surrounding the Conservation Area of Muster Green. It also has numerous modern houses, train stations, shopping malls and schools nearby. You also have Haywards Heath events to look forward to, with various occasions and festivals happening during the year.

How Far Is Haywards Heath From London?

Haywards Heath is 36 miles (58 km) away from London. Travelling from this town to London by road takes about 1 hour and 45 minutes via the fastest route. You can also board a train from Haywards Heath and arrive in London within 45 minutes. Hayward Heath’s railway also links to Brighton and many other top cities.

Conclusion

Now that you have a list of things to do in Haywards Heath, nothing is stopping you from exploring this beautiful town to the fullest. Haywards Heath is a lovely town and a hidden gem of England – a perfect place if you’re looking to bond with your family over the holidays.

10 Best Things To Do In Haywards Heath