Between Portsmouth And Crawley Is A Charming Village With Pub Gardens, Shops, And A Buzzing Food Scene

The historic English county of Sussex contains many towns and villages that arose during the Roman, Saxon, and Norman eras. These centuries-old communities appear scattered across Sussex's countryside, enticing visitors with their slow-paced village life and surrounding nature. You'll find plenty of tempting destinations here, including the village of Billingshurst in West Sussex. Spread out around an old Roman road, now called Stane Street, the village dates back to Anglo-Saxon times, around 1,200 years ago.

Located about 40 miles from Portsmouth and 15 miles from Crawley, Billingshurst has a distinct personality and charm. This unassuming gem centers around a classic English high street with local boutiques, watering holes, and eateries. The pub scene here is particularly strong if you enjoy old-world settings with inviting gardens and various British ales and fare. On the dining side, the village's cafes and restaurants have a small-town personality. When it comes to shops, you can find independent stores and a local market worth browsing.

But these aren't the only sources of Billingshurst's charm. History and nature collide here, creating a quintessential English village aesthetic. St Mary's Church, a Grade 1-listed historical site, harkens back to the village's early years around the 12th century. A cemetery with faded gravestones surrounds this iconic church just off High Street, which has its own towering spire and walls made from flintstone. Located between the South Downs and Low Weald, Billingshurst also offers convenient access to riverside and woodland walking trails, farms, fishing lakes, and vineyards. This prosperous countryside supports much of the village's local dining scene. Its 10,000-odd residents also uphold a strong community feeling.

Pub gardens have been an integral part of English culture since the 18th century, when they were called "pleasure gardens." One of the best in Billingshurst belongs to The Six Bells, a highly-rated pub on High Street. The former coaching inn dates back to the 16th century and is a protected Grade II-listed building. It has front and rear gardens, but the former is its crowning glory, with timber tables, antique lamps, foliage, and deck chairs that catch the sunshine. Grab a pint of Badger cask ale and enjoy a moment with friends.

A mere 75 feet away sits another great pub garden, this one belonging to The King's Arms, also a former coaching inn from the 16th century. You'll find a terrace garden at the back, a popular spot for summer days with picnic tables, hedges, grassy lawns, and surrounding homes. Family days, darts tournaments, live music, and beer festivals make this pub a beloved community hub. You can also often see live comedy and open mic nights. "The beer garden is a real hidden gem, catching the sun throughout the day and offering a peaceful place to enjoy your drinks," one regular wrote in a Google review.

Billingshurst's buzzing food scene has also earned it acclaim from regional publications like Sussex Exclusive. Jengers Craft Bakery won the Sussex Food Producer of the Year award in 2021 and still sells cakes, buns, and donuts baked fresh every day. Tuck into traditional English breakfast at Little Bean Café. It also offers locally roasted coffee and veggie and vegan breakfasts in a cozy interior or back garden. For dinner, grab a table at The Chef Thai. This family restaurant captures Thai flavors with quality ingredients, and decades of cooking experience have earned it a 4.7-star rating on Google.

Billingshurst has a collection of local shops downtown. Don't expect extravagant high street shopping — it's more gift shops and bookstores. Billingshurst Lions Book Shop is a popular spot for affordable second-hand books. The money you spend here goes to Billingshurst Lions Club, which supports the local community's wellness, health, environment, and disadvantaged youth and elderly. Rocking Horse is a highly-rated gift shop on High Street selling unique home décor, handmade goods, candy, clothing, and various trinkets. One shopper on Google claims you can find products from "over 30 small local businesses."

If you're looking for handmade treasures, time your visit for Billingshurst Artisan Market (BAM) on the third Sunday of every month. From 9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., you can browse craft and food stalls in The Six Bells parking lot. You'll find handmade jewelry, pottery, paintings, and clothing, as well as locally baked goods and farm-sourced produce. The market also puts on live music and other performances during the day. If you want to do more shopping beyond Billingshurst, drive 30 minutes to Haslemere, a market town with more local shops.

You can drive to Billingshurst in about two hours from London or catch the Southern train line there in just over one hour. It's also a one-hour train ride from Portsmouth or Worthing. The latter is a gorgeous Art Deco coastal town worth a day trip or longer stay. Accommodation is sparse in Billingshurst — your best bet is staying at The Kings Head Inn. Yet another former coaching inn, it doubles as a local pub with classic meals, quality cask ales, and its own small beer garden. If you have time, combine Billingshurst with Midhurst, another charming town with quaint shops 30 minutes' drive away.