Local information

Exploring the beautiful South Downs and surrounding area

Windlesham House School is ideally located in the heart of the South Downs National Park, surrounded by picturesque villages, historic attractions and beautiful countryside. Whether visiting for school events or exploring the area, there is much to discover in this stunning part of Sussex.

Where is Windlesham House School located?

We are situated near the village of Washington in West Sussex, within the South Downs National Park. Our rural setting provides peace and natural beauty while remaining easily accessible from major transport routes.

Key locations and distances

  • Gatwick Airport 25 minutes by car
  • Brighton 30 minutes by car
  • Worthing 20 minutes by car
  • Horsham 25 minutes by car
  • London 90 minutes by car
  • South coast 30 minutes to coastal towns

Transport connections

  • Road
    Direct access from A24 (main north-south route)
  • Rail
    Nearest stations at Amberley (4 miles) and Pulborough (5 miles) with services to London, Brighton and Portsmouth
  • Air
    Close to Gatwick Airport (25 minutes) with international connections

Where can families stay when visiting?

Numerous accommodation options are available near Windlesham House, catering to different preferences and budgets.

Gallops Farm Holiday Cottages, Findon

Gallops Farm Holiday Cottages, Findon

Modern selfcontained holiday cottages with stunning South Downs views. Comfortable home from home accommodation on a beautiful farm in Findon Village (minimum three night stay). Perfectly located just five minutes by car from Windlesham House and within 20 minutes’ walk of pubs and restaurants in Findon.

Run by Windlesham parents Emma and Robert Gale
Website www.gallopsfarmholidaycottages.co.uk
Telephone 07717 750870
Distance Five minutes by car

Goatchers Studio and Cottage, Findon

Goatchers Studio and Cottage, Findon

Wonderfully comfortable and well-equipped serviced accommodation, ideal for parents and friends visiting Windlesham House. Refreshed to high standards with feature beds, luxurious Egyptian linens, smart TV and free Wi-Fi. Both studio and cottage located in heart of Findon village, short stroll to three excellent pubs, fine dining restaurant and national walking trails.

Run by Windlesham colleague Judith Selves
Telephone 07980 025713
Email judith@goatchers.com
Website Available on Airbnb
Distance Five minutes by car

Note: Contact Judith directly for best rates and availability

The Burlington Hotel, Worthing

The Burlington Hotel, Worthing

4 AA Silver Stars hotel offering unique seafront location, exceptional personal service, stunning scenery and fine dining. Polished Victorian hotel built in 1864, located on the seafront, 11 minute walk from Worthing Pier.

Website www.theburlington.net
Telephone 01903 211 222
Distance 20 minutes by car

Bailiffscourt Hotel & Spa, Littlehampton

Bailiffscourt Hotel & Spa, Littlehampton

39 luxurious bedrooms in charming houses and cottages with award-winning spa. Set in 30 acres of private parkland leading to Climping beach. The ultimate country escape with crackling log fires, friendly service and extensive grounds for families and dogs to explore.

Website www.hshotels.co.uk/bailiffscourt
Telephone 01903 723511
Distance 30 minutes by car

Premier Inn, Horsham Town Centre

Premier Inn, Horsham Town Centre

Conveniently located in Horsham town centre with bustling high street and Swan Walk shopping centre on doorstep. Close to Horsham Park, Horsham Museum and Huxley’s Birds of Prey Centre. Comfortable accommodation with inhouse restaurant and Hypnos beds.

Website www.premierinn.com
Telephone 0330 128 1631
Distance 25 minutes by car

South Lodge, Horsham

South Lodge, Horsham

5 Star luxury 19th century country house hotel offering private Victorian wine cellar, award-winning dining and relaxing countryside setting. Perfectly situated for Brighton or Goodwood day trips, only 25 minutes from Gatwick Airport.

Website www.exclusive.co.uk/south-lodge
Telephone 01403 891711
Distance 35 minutes by car

Ockenden Manor Hotel & Spa, Haywards Heath

Ockenden Manor Hotel & Spa, Haywards Heath

Fine Elizabethan manor house with 28 lavishly decorated rooms, outstanding spa, and Michelin star restaurant. Set in eight acres of beautiful landscaped gardens, three miles from Borde Hill Garden and seven miles from South Downs National Park.

Website www.hshotels.co.uk/ockenden-manor
Telephone 01444 416111
Distance 30 minutes by car

Alexander House, Turners Hill

Alexander House, Turners Hill

Extraordinary 5 Red Star hotel perfect for romantic getaways, relaxing spa experiences, grand celebrations or intimate gatherings. Located in beautiful countryside setting.

Website www.alexanderhotels.co.uk/alexander-house
Telephone 01342 714914
Distance 45 minutes by car

Grand Hotel, Brighton

Grand Hotel, Brighton

Luxury seafront hotel in opulent Victorian building. Perfectly located in Brighton city centre facing the seafront, 12 minute walk from Royal Pavilion and 14 minute walk from Brighton Pier.

Website www.grandbrighton.co.uk
Telephone 01273 224300
Distance 40 minutes by car

Hilton Metropole, Brighton

Hilton Metropole, Brighton

Set on vibrant Brighton seafront in 1890s building next to The Brighton Centre. Health club with indoor pool, sauna, and steam room. Brighton Palace Pier, Royal Pavilion, The Lanes and the i360 viewing tower all within walking distance.

Website www.hilton.com
Telephone 01273 775432
Distance 40 minutes by car

What local attractions are worth visiting?

Natural beauty and outdoor activities

  • South Downs National Park
    Beautiful walking, cycling, and riding trails through rolling hills and valleys
  • Devil’s Dyke
    Stunning viewpoint with walks and paragliding (15 minutes)
  • Cissbury Ring
    Iron Age hill fort with panoramic views (20 minutes)
  • Chanctonbury Ring
    Historic hill fort and beech tree ring (15 minutes)
  • South Downs Way
    Long distance walking and cycling trail crossing the national park
  • Coastal beaches
    Brighton, Worthing, and Littlehampton beaches within 30 minutes

Historic sites and culture

  • Arundel Castle
    Medieval castle with beautiful gardens and fascinating history (20 minutes)
  • Royal Pavilion, Brighton
    Exotic palace with Indian architecture and Chinese interiors (40 minutes)
  • Petworth House
    National Trust property with art collection and deer park (25 minutes)
  • Fishbourne Roman Palace
    Largest Roman residence in Britain with stunning mosaics (30 minutes)
  • Standen House
    Arts and crafts house by architect Philip Webb (35 minutes)

Family attractions

  • WWT Arundel
    Wetland Centre with wildlife, walking trails, and children’s activities (25 minutes)
  • Huxley’s Birds of Prey Centre
    Birds of prey displays and gardens (25 minutes)
  • Brighton Pier
    Traditional seaside pier with arcade, rides and food (40 minutes)
  • British Airways i360
    Observation tower with stunning coastal views (40 minutes)
  • Drusillas Park
    Zoo and adventure park near Eastbourne (45 minutes)
  • Goodwood
    Motor circuit, racecourse, and estate (30 minutes)

Villages and towns

  • Arundel
    Historic market town with castle, cathedral, antique shops and riverside walks
  • Brighton
    Vibrant seaside city with shopping, restaurants, arts and culture
  • Worthing
    Traditional seaside town with pier, beach and shops
  • Horsham
    Market town with shops, museums and parks
  • Findon
    Pretty village with excellent pubs and walking trails
  • Steyning
    Historic town with medieval buildings and independent shops

Where can families eat locally?

Nearby pubs and restaurants

Findon village (5 minutes) offers excellent dining options including:

  • Three traditional country pubs serving food
  • Fine dining restaurant
  • Cafés and tearooms

Worthing (20 minutes) provides diverse dining including seafront restaurants, high street chains and independent eateries.

Brighton (40 minutes) offers extensive dining from Michelin-starred restaurants to casual cafés with particularly strong seafood and international cuisine.

Arundel (20 minutes) features riverside pubs, tearooms and restaurants in historic settings.

What about shopping?

Worthing
High street shops and supermarkets (20 minutes)

Horsham
Swan Walk shopping centre and independent shops (25 minutes)

Brighton
The Lanes (antiques and independent boutiques), Churchill Square shopping centre, North Laine (vintage and alternative) (40 minutes)

Chichester
Historic market town with excellent shopping (35 minutes)

Exploring the area

The South Downs National Park provides endless opportunities for walking, cycling and enjoying nature. The proximity to both countryside and coast means families can enjoy rural tranquility and seaside fun. Historic market towns, cultural attractions and beautiful villages make this a wonderful area to explore during school visits or after relocating.

Parent recommendations

Current Windlesham House parents are excellent sources of local knowledge. During school events, feel free to ask other families for their favorite local places to visit, eat, and stay. The Windlesham House community is friendly and welcoming and parents enjoy sharing their local discoveries.

How can we help with your visit?

Our school office is happy to provide information about the local area, recommend places to visit, and assist with any queries about your visit to Windlesham House. Whether you are visiting for an open day, dropping off your child or attending a school event, we want your experience to be positive from start to finish.

Are there local taxi services?

Yes, several taxi companies serve the area including companies based in Worthing, Storrington, and Pulborough. We can recommend reliable services and help arrange transport if needed particularly for families using train services or arriving at airports.

What is there to do while waiting between drop-off and collection?

The South Downs offers beautiful walks directly from school. Findon village is five minutes away with cafés and pubs. Worthing seafront is 20 minutes for a coastal walk. Arundel Castle and town are 20 minutes. Brighton is 40 minutes for shopping and sightseeing. Our grounds are also beautiful for a walk if you prefer to stay nearby.

Is the area suitable for families with younger children?

Absolutely. The South Downs offers gentle walks and picnic spots. Local attractions like WWT Arundel, Brighton Pier and coastal beaches are perfect for families. Many pubs and restaurants are family-friendly with children’s menus and outdoor spaces.

What if we are moving to the area?

We are happy to provide information about the local area including schools, healthcare, shopping, and community groups. We can also recommend local estate agents and removal companies. Many Windlesham House families have relocated to the area and can share their experiences.

Need more information?

School office

01903 874700

Email

whsoffice@windlesham.com

Address

Windlesham House School, Washington, Pulborough, West Sussex RH20 4AY

“The location is perfect. We love the peaceful countryside setting but can easily reach Brighton for shopping or the coast for beach days. The South Downs walks from school are beautiful. It is the best of both worlds.” Windlesham House parent
Autumn Open Mornings

At Windlesham House, we don’t simply prepare children for the future, we give them a childhood worth remembering. Discover a school where curiosity is nurtured, every child is genuinely known and childhood is celebrated every day.

Book your place at our next open morning.

Three young girls in blue dresses run through a field of white daisies under a sunny sky.