Haywards Heath

Haywards Heath sits in the gently folded countryside of Mid Sussex, a landscape of hedgerowed fields, woodland and the kind of soft green hills that roll on towards the South Downs. The town itself is a practical, unfussy sort of place, built up around its railway station, but it doesn't take long to get out into open country in almost any direction, and that mix of easy access and genuine countryside is really what defines the area.

Most visitors base themselves in the town centre or just outside it. There's a Premier Inn for straightforward convenience, while The Birch Hotel and Highley Manor offer something grander for a weekend away. Smaller options like Field Cottage B&B, The Bent Arms and The Cowdray Arms give a more local, pubby feel, and The Eight Bells and The Hickstead Hotel add further choice around the edges of town. For those who'd rather sleep under canvas, Field and Fallow Pop-up Campsite, Kitts Campsite and Deaks Acres put you right out in the landscape itself.

The countryside is the main draw here, and Nymans - the National Trust property with its gardens - is the standout for anyone wanting to spend a few hours among mature planting and woodland walks. Closer to town, Beech Hurst Park is a good spot for families, with its miniature railway and the Victoria Park Splashpad nearby for cooling off. Wings Aviation Museum and Fun Pots offer something different if you want a change from the outdoors, and The Outdoors Project caters to those wanting to stay active.

Eating out in Haywards Heath covers a wide range, from the relaxed setting of 180 Degrees Bar And Kitchen to the simplicity of Burger King for a quick stop. Cafe Local's various sites and Ginkgo & Summer House Cafe are good for a slower coffee or lunch, while Bolney Community Cafe and Bolney Wine Estate reach out into the surrounding villages, the latter making the most of the same rolling ground that gives this part of Sussex its character.

Altogether, Haywards Heath works well as a base for exploring the wider Mid Sussex countryside without ever feeling remote - the town keeps its everyday rhythm while the fields, gardens and campsites just beyond it offer plenty of reasons to linger.