The Walled Garden, a Tudor Garden reconstruction at Cowdray Castle Ruins, is next open on Thursday 27th July. Don't miss it!

Country Life Magazine last year voted Midhurst in West Sussex the most desirable place to live in Southern England; and it is consequently no surprise the town and its out-lying villages are a magnet to those individuals seeking the gentler pace of the countryside without losing the bustle and amenities of the city. Chichester is only 30 minutes drive away and Petworth, Petersfield and Haslemere are even closer-by. Violet Designs who sponsor these pages chose Midhurst for its central location and were fortunate to find the premises featured at the bottom of the page, at the end of West Street, for their new, spacious showroom. The Free Grange Car Park is just 5 minutes easy walk

For a small town Midhurst is unique in having two International Hotels, The Spread Eagle and the Angel [picture right] and these provide two prominent landmarks in the townscape. However, it is the enduring charm of West Street and the adjoining Square which draws visitors to the town into its winding and secret places; and ultimately to South Pond and its host of wildlife. Violet Designs Showroom is situated at the west end of West Street on the mini-roundabout and is easily recognisable to travellers going north to south through the town or east to west. For more pictures of Midhurst click here.

Many people who plan to visit us ask for ideas on how they may spend a few hours pleasurably in or around the town. This page has therefore been constructed to suggest ideas; and we have illustrated the page with a few snaps of West Street premises.

Midhurst is not really a place for a 'retail therapy' binge. However, there are a cluster of excellent ladies fashion shops; it's more a place for enjoying the fine things in life and relaxing. If you are an afficionado of English pubs, and pub architecture, you will find more per square mile than anywhere on earth! Sitting in the soft sunshine outside The Old Town Hall Cafe in the Square I made a count of the main shops and pubs around me. Within 150 yards there were 4 pubs ( Swan, Bricklayers, Wheatsheaf, Crown], an International Hotel [Spread Eagle], 2 restaurants [Gaudi's, Prezzo], 3 Cafes [Old Town Hall, Commestibles, Rockwell Diner], 3 ladies fashion shops [Mid Blue, Chatterbox, Sussex House] and other retailers, estate agents, organic butchers and hairdressers.

A drink or a meal at theDuke of Cumberland in Henley with its panoramic views to the Surrey Hills, or a gentle refreshing stroll around the Cowdray Ruins set in the Park which pushes up into the town at the top of North Street, are just two ideas. The town has numerous coffee shops including one in the Square with seating outside. The beautiful spacious gardens at the back of the Angel with their view of the Cowdray Ruins is ideal for sitting out with friends. These gardens are also the regular venue for sculpture exhibitions by local sculptors including the Royal Sculptor Philip Jackson who has his studio and gallery just outside the town; and if you are 'into' fine art the Studio Gallery is where you'll find it. Exhibitions are pretty well ongoing throughout the year.

If you are a keen gardener then a vist to Cowdray House on its open-day might appeal to you; or a visit to Aylings Garden Centre on the Petersfield Road. There are many gardens open to the public and details are available from the Tourist Office.The Walled Garden at Cowdray Castle Ruins is not to be missed. But, if you like old houses or are interested in the historical development of the countryside the piece de resistance is the Weald and Downland Museum at Singleton. The museum stages numerous events all of which deserve a day out in themselves. For a first visit on a fine summer's day allow at least 4 hours, and which is best enjoyed with a picnic on the open downland above and behind the museum. Commestibles Deli (01730 813400) in the Square do picnic 'take aways' or you could have lunch or coffee there before setting off for Singleton.

Why don't we combine a visit to the showroom with a day out at the Polo, you may ask? Not very practical in our opinion; likewise a trip to Goodwood Racecourse or the racing circuit are whole day events. But, a visit to Uppark is a better idea. There is far too much to see and do in the Midhurst area for us to list here more than a few 'tasters'. Why not lose yourself in the world of brochures which is the local Tourist Office [01730 817322]? The staff are very helpful and can guide you through the maze of alternatives.

Perhaps the most outstanding feature of Midhurst is it's countryside. Often taken for granted by 'locals' the water meadows with their grazing cattle, part of the Cowdray Estate, push up into the town at North Street Free Car Park; and the view as you first approach the town from the north is of the gentle grass slope at the base of wooded St Ann's Hill, site of the old castle. But, this is just a soupcon for what awaits the keen walker. Armed with a Landranger Map, stout boots and ruck sack you can walk for miles through unspoilt countryside for almost as far as the eye can see. If this prospect interests you drop into the Tourist Office for maps, guides and a list of B&B's. For those visiting the town for a few hours only, a circular walk taking in the ruins, North St, Knockhundred Row, The Square and the River Rother Path takes about 35-40 minutes. A walk to visit the Queen Elizabeth Oak across the Cowdray Golf Course and returning to your starting point at North St Car Park takes 1.5 hrs or so.
Click map to see Lady Fashion Shops in Midhurst.

In 1532 the first 600 acres of the Cowdray Estate were impaled at Easebourne just north of Midhurst. Since then the trees on this part of the estate have remained virtually untouched in a secret fold in the hills where very few people walk. One of the oldest oaks in the country is the Queen Elizabeth Oak, so called because Queen Bess sheltered under its branches on a visit to Midhurst in 1591.It's estimated to be over 1000 years old! With a girthof 41 feet and hollowed out over the centuries several people can stand shoulder to shoulder within its confines. On a sunny, tranquil south facing hillside north of the oak other ancient trees abound, the most notable being a Giant Sweet Chesnut with a girth of 38 feet. Although a footpath crosses the estate close to the oak very few people visit this secret valley. But, its a real priviledge to see this fine tree; and if you would like to see it please ask the Tourist Office staff for a map.

LOCATION
We are very easy to find. From HASLEMERE or PETWORTH come into the town from the North either on the A286 or the A 272. Come straight through the town in a south westerly direction until you hit the mini roundabout. The West St sign is easily visble on your left. Our premises are on the right. Go across the roundabout, travelling southwest down the Bepton Rd for 200 yards and then turn left into the GRANGE CAR PARK. This is FREE. Walk up the gradient in the Car Park making for the road which passes the Woodland Veterinary Hospital, turn left at the Midhurst Gallery and then right into Bepton Rd. You will see our showroom immediately in front of you at the roundabout.

From PETERSFIELD on the A272 turn right at the mini-roundabout - you'll see our showroom on the left at the roundabout - and then look for the GRANGE CAR PARK on the left.

From CHICHESTER come into the southern edge of the town on the New Rd and then the Bepton Rd and turn right into the GRANGE CAR PARK . See Midhurst Town Map

Illustrations: Jefferson's Organic Butchers, West Street; Prezzo Restaurant, West Street for the chic younger set; Wine Etcetera, West Street (01730 813300) with 'mine host' Neville Sparks former Harrods wine buyer outside - glassware, quality wines, gins and malts for the connoisseur. Oak Tree, Courtesy of Pomegranate Press. Other websites or pages worth visiting: Rainmac West Street for rainwear; Churchill Clocks; A Journey to Midhust; Vintage Wristwatches at JE. Alnutt & Son, West Street Wild by Jess Prezzo Restaurant Disking North St. Best Place to Live. Top Market Town. Midhurst Restaurants. Country Towns Directory & Guide to Relocation. Aylings Garden Centre. Exsurgo Restaurant & Bar. Midhurst in Pictures. Midhurst Discontinued China. Guide to Top Property in Haslemere & its Satellite Towns and Villages [Midhurst Solicitors] [Midhurst Estate Agents] [ Local Home Improvements & Gardens Directory] [Midhurst Map] [West Sussex Map] [Foyle's War Location - Midhurst] [French Country Furniture - see it being renovated] [Estate Agents in Haslemere] [ Estate Agents in Petersfield] [ Estate Agents in Petworth] [Large Scale Petersfield Map] [ Large Scale Petworth Map] [Large Scale Haslemere Map]

'Midhurst Pages - Midhurst Town & Community' are sponsored by Violet Designs, Midhurst, West Sussex Tel: 01730 810059. We just try harder to give exceptional service and prices.