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Contributed by Woodland, an ePodunk user. March 30, 2007 Pluses: Small, compact Market Town with lots of historic buildings, some going back to the 13th Century, but mainly Tudor in origin. Cowdray Castle Ruins are open to the public
The Town is set in a 'sea' of accessable, beautiful, rolling countryside with woods, heath, sandstone hills, fields and chalk downland near-by. Cowdray Park runs right up to the town edge with a causeway to the Ruins. An iconic image.
The climate is benign. The winters are usually mild and rain is confined mostly to November- January. Summers are dry and mainly warm to hot.
Friendly, laid-back community of under 5000 people. Little or no major crime. No industry. International Class Hotels. Numerous pubs. Excellent access to other local towns such as Petworth famous for its antiques and the Weald & Downland Open Air Museum near Chichester.
Voted by Country Life Magazine in 2004 as the Best Place to Live in Southern England Minuses: No night clubs or sophisticated evening entertainment.
No major shopping centre.
Little to no indoor entertainment for wet days, though there is a cinema in near-by Haslemere which also has a museum.
Nothing much for older children to do if they aren't interested in outdoor activities. A good place to... Mountain bike the hills, valleys, sandy heaths and chalk downland. Routes and hire shops are detailed on Midhurst Pages www.violetdesigns.co.uk/midhurst.htm
To hike. There are unlimited public footpaths, green lanes, bridleways and resticted byeways. All you need is a Landranger Map. There are plenty of B&B's to lodge for the night and pubs for meals en-route.
To cycle. Country lanes with little traffic.
To hang-glide. North west winds tend to blow in the early Spring to Summer and the South Downs make an ideal venue.
To explore West Sussex. A central point with good, fast, swoopy roads leading to other towns and attractions in West Sussex. Easy to get to Arundel Castle, Goodwood, Fishbourne (Roman Remains), Uppark (H.G.Wells), Portsmouth ( Mary Rose).
Chill out and relax. Watch the world go by from an outdoor cafe with tables on old cobbles, surrounded by buildings from Henry VIII's and Elizabethan times. Enjoy disvovering your roots with the help of the Record Office. Find local information from Midhurst Pages - Midhurst Town & Community Website and obtain brochures on attractions from the Tourist Office in North Street when you visit. They will book you B&B's and advise on travel and other arrangements.
If you want to visit London, Midhurst is 15 minutes by car from Haslemere and 20 minutes from Petersfield, both on the main line to Waterloo. It takes about 50 minutes to London. Alternatively, you can travel in the opposite direction to Portsmouth circa 45 minutes and the Isle of Wight.
There is an hourly bus service from Midhurst Bus Station to Haslemere Railway Station; and taxis are also available.
Gatwick Airport is the closest airport. There are good taxi arrangements between Midhurst and Heathrow and Midhurst and Gatwick.
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