A village where hidden gems await those who wander.
Set in the beautiful Sussex countryside, Henfield is a classic English village with a rich and varied history.
Henfield offers the amenities of a small town while retaining the charm of a rural hamlet, with a selection of independent shops, cafés and pubs.
Today, Henfield is a vibrant village, home to more than 6,000 people. Despite recent growth, the loss of some green fields to development, and increasing traffic, Henfield still holds onto its village character and strong sense of community. Whether you live here or are visiting, you’ll find great walking routes, fascinating local history and tasty locally sourced food to enjoy.
The village sits on a sandy ridge, with all roads from the surrounding countryside rising gently up to the village, offering wonderful views of the South Downs. The village is criss-crossed with numerous twittens and footpaths, reputed to total 365 (one for every day of the year) and covering roughly 80 kilometres. Although Henfield receives less publicity than many other Sussex villages and may not immediately reveal historic buildings, a picturesque High Street or obvious beauty spots, it is full of hidden treasures waiting to be discovered.
Henfield High Street is a wonderful collection of buildings from each major period since the 13th century.
From the first shops to the coaching inns of the 17th century, the High Street has been serving residents and visitors for hundreds of years. Away from the High Street and mostly within walking distance there are many more fascinating places to discover, a selection is featured in our Hidden Highlights.
