Local Area Information

Blackberry Barn is ideally situated in the heart of the newly designated South Downs National Park. With rolling hills, bustling market towns, picture perfect villages with traditional country pubs, sandy beaches,  flourishing vineyards and breathtaking views you will find lots to delight and entertain you during your stay in beautiful West Sussex. There is something for everyone from leisurely country walks to the thrills and spills of horse and motor racing at Goodwood, stately homes and fairy tale castles, historic towns and modern shopping centres, West Sussex is truly a great place to stay.

WALKS, CYCLE PATHS, COAST AND COUNTRYSIDE

The South Downs Way : A magnificent 100 mile National Trail. The South Downs Way covers 48 spectacular miles in West Sussex making it one of the most rewarding walks in the south of England. From Blackberry Barn you can join the South Downs Way at either Cocking (3 miles) or Bury Hill (10 miles).

Harting Down : If you want views, a great walk and peace and quiet too, then the National Trust-run Harting Down Nature Reserve is the place to go. Harting Down contains wild grassland which incorporates many interesting wild flowers and wildlife, there are also Iron Age earthworks.

Salterns Way : A 19 kilometer long cycle and footpath which runs from the centre of Chichester to the lovely sandy beach at West Wittering.  By far the prettiest part of the route with views across the fields to Dell Quay between Apuldram and Birdham Pool,a pleasant cut through Salterns Copse and a loop round Chichester Yacht basin.

Pulborough Brooks: The RSPB is responsible for the important Pulborough Brooks Nature Reserve. The reserve is home to teals,barn owls, nightingales, wigeons and dozens of other species.

Wildfowl and Wetland Trust Arundel: Spot water voles from the boat safari, hand feed rare geese at World Wetlands and stroll gentle pathways to quiet spots to watch West Sussex wildlife. Stunning views from the cafe make it perfect for relaxing, and children will love the play areas and pond dipping.

West Sussex Beaches: West Wittering is a renowned sandy beach where you can enjoy a looped walk around the spit into Chichester Harbour and back along the salt marshes. Bracklesham Bay has a lovely sandy beach making it perfect for children's sandcastles. Littlehampton Beach is popular for traditional seaside days, sandy beach, ice creams, bucket and spades and a funfair.

CASTLES,HISTORIC HOMES AND GARDENS

West Sussex has more than its fair share of special gardens, to name a few Petworth Park a Capability Brown designed parkland garden at Petworth House, Denmans Gardens a small innovative garden showcasing modern garden design, The Walled Garden in Midhurst a restored Tudor garden, West Dean Gardens featuring a walled kitchen garden,a sunken garden and an Edwardian pergola with lovely sweeping views towards the Trundle. There are also many gardens in the area that open for visitors under the National Garden Scheme.

You are spoilt for choice when it comes to Historic Houses in West Sussex. Arundel Castle is one of the longest inhabited houses in England, it is the seat of the Dukes of Norfolk and has been rebuilt and remodelled over the centuries and now dominates the town of Arundel with its Norman Motte and Keep providing breathtaking views across the nearby River Arun.  Cowdray Castle Midhurst a glorious ruin of a Tudor mansion beside a stream on the site of a 13th-century house. Goodwood House and Estate seat of the Dukes of Richmond and host to Glorious Goodwood, Festival of Speed and the Goodwood Revival Meeting. Parham House and Gardens an Elizabethan H-shaped house and a lovely 4-acre walled garden. Petworth House and gardens contains works by J M W Turner, Thomas Gainsborough and Sir Joshua Reynolds. Uppark House a 17th-century set high upon the South Downs offering stunning views of the coast. Amberley Castle which dates back to 683AD has a rich and varied history, it became a luxury hotel in 1989 but a visit for afternon tea or lunch on a  summers day is a real treat and a chance to explore the 12-acre garden. 

TOWNS AND VILLAGES

Chichester: One of the many well preserved Georgian cities in the UK,the city of Chichester has played a key role in the affairs of Sussex since Roman times. Today Chichester is a prosperous, vibrant city with broad city centre streets hosting many individual shops and restaurants. The Roman past is much evident with its ancient city walls, Fishbourne Roman Palace and the Novium Museum. The 11th-century Chichester cathedral is at the heart of the city, it has many fine 20th-century paintings, sculptures and glass including a window by Marc Chagall and a painting by Graham Sutherland. Behind the cathedral are the peaceful Bishops Gardens a haven just minutes away from the bustling city streets. Chichester Festival Theatre has a varied and interesting seasonal program.

Arundel: This picture postcard, is dominated by its magnificent castle. The hilly compact town centre is packed with lovely Georgian and Victorian houses and the High Street and Tarrant street are full of unusual independent shops. The River Arun runs through the town where you can walk along the riverside, take a boat ride or just sit in a cafe and watch the world go by. A short walk from the castle gates is Swanbourne Lake a circular walk around the lake is enjoyable at any time of year but is particularly enjoyable in Spring when you can spot swans, ducks and wildfowl with their young.

Midhurst: The attractive main shopping area of North Street has  many varied and unusual shops. The area of Red Lion Hill, Church Street, Wool Lane and Duck Lane have a really good mix of historic and unusual buildings especially around the Church. Many of Midhurst's attractions are connected with the Cowdray Estate, the ruins of Cowdray House, St. Annes Hill and The Walled Garden. The Cowdray Polo season injects a buzz and vibrancy into Midhurst life each summer and makes Midhurst a great place to be. The Polo season runs from late April to September, with the highlight of the season being the prestigious Gold Cup  held over several weeks in June and July.

Petworth: Like many of the  West Sussex market towns, Petworth has many well preserved historic buildings. It has a reputation as a leading antiques town with around 30 antique dealers based in the town. 

There are many picturesque villages in the countryside surrounding Blackberry Barn. Lodsworth is a quintessential English village, with a church, a pub and even a cricket team, it is also home to the award winning independent Langham Brewery where you can take a tour, sample the beers and of course purchase your favourite to take home. Lodsworth Larder a community run shop selling local fresh produce and groceries, is always a favourite with our returning guests. Heyshott is a sprawling but rather lovely village south of Midhurst. Heyshott is renowned for the Harvesting the Old Fashioned Way Festival celebrating agricultural heritage and also for the Heyshott Bonfire Night, one of the best in Sussex with a great torchlight procession through the village, large crowds,lots of excitement and a really good firework display. Woolbeeding  lies a short distance north west of Midhurst. The River Rother runs from Midhurst through Woolbeding and there is a footpath that runs through the lush riverbank greenery and ancient woodland will reveal much of the varied wildlife from tiny insects, common lizards and adders to soaring birds of prey. A visit to Woolbeeding Gardens, a National Trust property, is a must for keen gardeners. The garden is set out in formal garden rooms each one thoughtfully designed and created in the 1980's and 1990's and in contrast to the formal gardens The Long Walk features  a ruined Abbey, a lake and woodland gardens with follies. 

FOOD AND DRINK

West Sussex is full of gastronomic delights too numerous to mention here. The farm shops, local vineyards and breweries along with the many artisan food outlets all showcasing local produce and specialist items make a self catering holiday into a culinary feast. For the days when cooking is not on the agenda there are many wonderful places to eat to suit all tastes and budgets. Whether you are looking for fine dining, pub food, a romantic meal for two, or a taste of something from further afield eating out in Midhurst and the surrounding area really does have something for everyone. There are many suggestions in our Food and Drink guide that you will find in Blackberry Barn, some we have tried and enjoyed ourselves some have been recommended by guests.

ACTIVITIES AND ATTRACTIONS

Golf at Cowdray Golf Course, Goodwood Golf Courses and Chichester Golf Centre- Tangmere Military Aviation Museum -Portsmouth Historic Dockyard for HMS Nelson and Mary Rose Centre-Hollycombe Steam Collection-Fishers Farm Adventure Farm Park- Bignor Roman Villa- Clay Pigeon Shooting and Fly Fishing at Cowdray- Weald and Downland Outdoor Museum-West Dean Gardens for the Garden Show and Chilli Fiesta.

There are many special events, outdoor concerts and shows running throughout the year in many of the local villages and towns. You will find brochures, local guide books and maps at Blackberry Barn to help you plan your holiday.