Horsham
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Template:GBmap Horsham is a market town and district in West Sussex, England. (Horsham is also the name of a township in Pennsylvania, USA.)
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History and Development
The first mention of Horsham was in a land charter of AD 947.
Horsham is mentioned indirectly in the Domesday Book (although this is sometimes debated among historians) adjacent manorial lands and surrounding holdings are also mentioned. Horsham had two weekly markets in the middle ages, and was noted locally for its annual fairs.
Despite a local iron industry which stayed until the seventeenth century, and a prosperous brewing industry, Horsham remained primarily agricultural until the early 20th century, when the industry began to increase.
The town has grown steadily over recent years to a population of over 30,000. This has been facilitated by the completion of both an inner and outer town bypass. The location of any new growth is the subject of debate.
Famous residents
Percy Bysshe Shelley was born at Field Place, west of Horsham, and is commemorated by the Shelley Fountain, a large and complex fountain in the shape of a globe, in the town centre.
Harry Enfield attended Collyers sixth form college in the town.
Administration
Horsham is the largest town in the district of the same name. There is no town council for the town centre, however parish councils exist for some of the suburbs. The town is the administrative centre for Horsham district. The district is a two-tier area, thus the town also comes under the remit of West Sussex County Council.
Location and Transport
Horsham lies at the junction of three routes.
- the A24 north to south route from London and Dorking to Worthing
- the A264/A29 north east to south west route from Crawley to Chichester
- the A281 north west to south east route from Guildford to Brighton
The town has one main railway station, Horsham railway station, on the Arun Valley line from Chichester to Crawley, Gatwick and London Victoria. Other services continue north to Dorking, Epsom and London Waterloo. There is also Littlehaven Halt in the north east of the town on the Crawley line.
Cyclists, pedestrians and riders can reach Guildford and Shoreham via the Downs Link, a long distance bridleway and cycle route which follows the now disused Horsham-Guildford, and Horsham-Shoreham railway lines and passes through Southwater, just to the south of Horsham.
Town centre
Horsham has grown up around the Carfax, a now pedestrianised historic square which is the meeting place of five roads. Two shopping centres, Piries Place and Swan Walk, are located off the Carfax. Close by are the two other principal shopping streets; East Street and the pedestrianised West Street. A new shopping area and public square, the Forum, has recently been completed to the south of West Street, off Blackhorse Way.
To the south of the Carfax is the Causeway. This tranquil, little altered street is lined with ancient houses, and leads to the Norman Anglican church of St. Mary. Beyond the church is the River Arun and the town cricket field.
To the north of the Carfax is a large park. The park has numerous football pitches, a wildlife pond and tennis courts. Various leisure facilities, including a modern swimming complex, have been built on land around the park.
Education and Emergency services facilities
Horsham is home to the well-known (sixth form) College of Richard Collyer, founded in 1532, and known more commonly as 'Collyers', on Hurst Road (near the centre). This road also has on it The Northbrook College of Art and Design, and the Arun House Adult education centre. Other places of education include; Tanbridge House School (Mixed Comprehensive), Millais School (Girls' Comprehensive), Forest School, (Boys' Comprehensive) and to the south of the town, is the famous 'Bluecoat School, Christ's Hospital, a public school founded in 1552, which came to Horsham in 1902. To the East of the town, Roffey Park college offers Management and business training courses.
Horsham Community Hospital, is open weekdays, and is located on Hurst Road.
Horsham also boasts its own law courts, ambulance station, fire station and police station all located on Hurst Road.
Leisure and Culture
Horsham has various facilities for leisure and culture:
- The Pavillions in the Park - a leisure centre with swimming pool
- Ten pin bowling alley
- Shelleys - a local nightspot
- A good local museum.
- The district indoor bowls centre and large leisure complex at nearby Broadbridge Heath with full sized running track.
- A two screen cinema and theatre complex, known as 'The Capitol'
- A large and modern library.
External links
- Horsham District Council (http://www.horsham.gov.uk/)
- The Horsham Society (http://www.horshamsociety.org/)