Your Weekly Local Newsletter on everything going on in Horsham District
Thursday, 30th April 2026
Hello everyone,
May is here, and it's shaping up to be a big week in the district. The Bank Holiday funfair is back in Horsham Park, the rhododendrons are at their spectacular peak at Leonardslee, and there's plenty to enjoy across the long weekend, from vintage festivities in Steyning to plant sales, markets, and bat watching for beginners. There's also something important to remember this Thursday: polls open for the West Sussex County Council elections and Horsham Parish Council, so don't forget to have your say. Scroll down for everything happening between 30th April and 7th May, and do share this with a friend or neighbour who might want to join you! 🌸
Gif by mergemansion on Giphy
📰Digest
🗳️ Local Elections This Thursday, 7th May — Polls open this week for West Sussex County Council elections, Horsham Parish Council, and a District by-election in the Itchingfield, Slinfold and Warnham ward. Polling stations are open 7am–10pm. Results will be declared on Friday 8th May. Find your polling station
💚 Green LEAP Grants Now Open — Small businesses in Horsham District can now apply for up to £5,000 to support climate-friendly projects, from switching to renewable energy to reducing waste. Applications are first-come, first-served. Read more
🏛️ Horsham Parish Council Update — As Local Government Reorganisation continues to take shape, a large majority of residents who took part in a recent consultation came out in favour of creating a Horsham Town Council to protect local assets like the Bandstand, Horsham Park and the Museum. Watch this space for further updates. Read more
🏡Local Business Spotlight
If you're looking for a reliable, friendly local home and improvement company you can actually trust, look no further than Bishops. We've used them ourselves for a range of jobs, including boiler servicing, a leaking tap replacement, and installing a Hive smart thermostat to help manage our energy consumption better, and wouldn't hesitate to recommend them. Whether it's a small one-off job or a bigger project, they handle it all with ease. Gas Safe registered and covering Sussex. Read more.
🗓️ What’s Happening
Events are subject to change. Please confirm details with the host.
🎡 May Day Funfair, Horsham Park 📅 Thursday 30 Apr – Monday 4 May | ⏰ Fri 3–8pm, Sat/Sun/Mon 12–8pm | 📍 Horsham Park | 💷 Free entry The Bank Holiday family funfair returns to Horsham Park, open across the full four-day weekend with rides and attractions for all ages. A big crowd-puller every year and perfect for families. Read more
The Old Vicarage Garden — Washington (open Thursdays) 📅 Every Thursday including 30 Apr, 7 May | ⏰ 10am–4pm | 📍 The Old Vicarage, Washington | 💷 £10 adults, children free A truly creative garden nurtured over 35 years, spanning over 3 acres with formal topiary, seasonal borders, a contemporary water sculpture, an Italianate gazebo, specimen trees, a Japanese garden with waterfall, a stumpery and treehouse, and a kitchen garden. Read more.
🌺 Rhododendron Celebration, Leonardslee Gardens 📅 All week (ongoing through June) | 📍 Lower Beeding, Horsham | 💷 Ticketed. May is peak season at Leonardslee, when rhododendrons, azaleas, magnolias and bluebells reach their full bloom across the historic 240-acre woodland gardens. One of the most spectacular natural events in the South East calendar. Read more Leonardslee Gardens
🌺 Flower Festival 📅 Saturday 2 May | 📍 Steyning Beautiful floral arrangements and patchwork displays over the Bank Holiday weekend. Free to enter. Read more
🌱 Plant Sale, St Gabriel's Church Hall, Billingshurst 📅 Saturday 2 May | ⏰ 10am–12pm | 📍 St Gabriel's Church Hall, East Street | 💷 Free entry Plants, produce, cake stall, raffle and refreshments. A lovely community morning. Read more
🌸 Winnie-the-Pooh Centenary Story Trail, Nymans 📅 Through Sunday 28 June | 📍 Nymans, Handcross | ⏰ 10am–5pm A lovely family-friendly trail through Nymans' gardens pairing A.A. Milne's words with E.H. Shepard's iconic illustrations. Included in general admission. Perfect for little ones. Read more.
🚗 Steyning Vintage Revival 📅 Sunday 3 May | ⏰ 11am–4pm | 📍 Steyning | 💷 Free A free community event celebrating all things vintage. Read more
Rotary Car Boot Sale, Storrington 📅 Monday 4 May (Bank Holiday) | ⏰ 9am–12pm | 📍 Storrington Library Car Park, Rycroft Lane | 💷 Free entry to browse Lots of bric-a-brac, plants, books, clothes and curios on sale at the Storrington & Pulborough District Rotary Club's Car Boot Sale in Storrington Library Car Park. A well-established Bank Holiday Monday staple. Read more
🛒 Henfield Weekly Market 📅 Monday 4 May | ⏰ 9am–1pm | 📍 Henfield Hall, Henfield A beloved village market with great local food suppliers and a café serving tea, coffee and cake. Read more
🦇 Bat Watching for Beginners 📅 Thursday 8 May | 📍 Steyning area Back by popular demand, a guided evening bat-watching session perfect for families and curious newcomers. Read more
Always check with venues directly before heading out, as details can change. Know of an event we've missed? Get in touch to have it included next week! Share it with us.
🎵 Live Music & Entertainment
Events are subject to change. Please confirm details with the host.
🎶 Big Band Saturday — Carfax Bandstand 📅 Saturday 2 May | ⏰ 11am–1pm | 📍 The Carfax, Horsham | 💷 Free Copthorne Silver Band take to the Carfax Bandstand for the next in the free Big Band Saturday series. Bring a chair and enjoy the sunshine. Read more
The Almost Elvis Band – The Holbrook Club 🕺 Saturday 2nd May, 8pm–11pm The Holbrook Club, Horsham An Elvis tribute night, always a fun crowd-pleaser.
🎭 Improv Comedy Workshop, Park Barn 📅 Monday 4 May | 📍 Park Barn, opposite The Capitol, Horsham | 💷 TBC Learn to improvise, gain confidence, and have a laugh in these friendly drop-in comedy workshops. Suitable for all levels, aged 17+. No experience or booking required. Read more
Got an event going down? Share it with us.
🏡House of the Week
Set on a hilltop at the end of a long private drive, this exceptional Arts and Crafts country house is as impressive as it gets. With far-reaching views from every principal room, the main house spans a ballroom, two studies, a kitchen/breakfast room, dining room and five en suite bedrooms, including a truly stunning principal suite with dressing room and bathroom. A recently added orangery opens onto a covered terrace with views towards the Surrey Hills, and all works throughout have been finished to the highest standard. Outside, the 15.8 acres are extraordinary: a swimming pool, tennis court, lake and, yes, a helipad. The lakeside boathouse has been beautifully converted into self-contained guest accommodation, and a separate outbuilding houses a double garage, gym, laundry and a two-bedroom annexe above.
Listed by House 🔗 Rightmove
🌤 Weather
This Week's Weather: Horsham District
Here's the up-to-date forecast for Horsham this week! 🌤️
A warm and sunny start to the week, with a bit more variability heading into the weekend — worth bearing in mind if you're planning outdoor events on Saturday or Sunday.
Day | High | Rain chance |
|---|---|---|
Thursday | 20°C | 0% ☀️ |
Friday | 20°C | 15% 🌤️ |
Saturday | 16°C | 35% 🌦️ |
Sunday | 16°C | 35% 🌦️ |
Monday | 16°C | 20% 🌤️ |
Thursday and Friday look beautiful — make the most of those warm spells before the weekend cloud rolls in. 🌿
Did you enjoy this week's newsletter?
As always, you can reply to this email or say hello at [email protected].
Have a great week exploring Horsham District!
