Discover the best things to do in Felbridge, West Sussex

Local attractions near the Star Inn

Settle in for a memorable stay in Felbridge, a charming village that sits on the border of Surrey and West Sussex. Whether you're in the mood for a relaxing countryside stroll or an exciting day out, the local area offers everything from history and nature to family-friendly attractions.

If you’re looking for inspiration when it comes to things to do in Felbridge and its surrounding area, here are some top recommendations for your itinerary. From grand National Trust properties to fascinating wildlife parks, these are our favourites – not including a visit to the local Star Inn pub, of course.

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Ashdown Forest

Venture a little further beyond Standen House and you’ll find the rolling landscapes of Ashdown Forest. This vast conservation area features a mix of enchanting forest, historic deer park and sweeping heathland, which can all be explored on various walking trails.

Ashdown’s biggest claim to fame is the fact it was the inspiration behind the idyllic Hundred Acre Wood in A. A. Milne’s Winnie the Pooh stories. In fact, you’ll even spot various nods to the charming children’s books throughout the forest, including Pooh Sticks Bridge and Roo’s Sandy Pit.

Fiction aside, the forest is also a wonderful location for wildlife spotting. Keep your eyes peeled for wild ponies grazing, as well as rare birds like nightjars and owls soaring through the skies. When you’ve finished discovering the best of the forest, make your way to the Star Inn, one of the best pubs near Ashdown Forest.

Standen House

If you love arts and crafts, a trip to Standen House is a must. This breathtaking National Trust site is among the top things to do in West Sussex.

Walk through the home’s vibrant rooms that feature amazing décor, including Morris & Co. fabrics and wallpapers. Outside, you’ll also have access to a stunning 12-acre garden that stretches out across the hillside, bursting with lush, seasonal plant life.

If you’re looking for pubs near Standen House for a wholesome meal after exploring its intricate interiors, look no further than the Star Inn. Our cosy countryside pub is less than a 10-minute drive away.

Sheffield Park and Garden

Another National Trust site worth putting on your radar is Sheffield Park and Garden. It’s a spectacular Grade I listed garden and the perfect place to soak up the great outdoors throughout the year. As well as wandering through formal gardens inspired by notable landscapers like Capability Brown and Humphry Repton, there are wild forests and acres of historic deer park to also admire.

Make your way to the southern edge of the park, and you’ll see the River Ouse running freely through wildflower-studded meadows during the summer months. Sheffield Park Garden also features five shimmering lakes, crisscrossed with bridges and linked together by the mesmerising Pulham Falls cascades. It’s easily one of the best things to do in Felbridge.

East Grinstead Museum

A trip to the quaint but information-packed East Grinstead Museum is one of the best things to do in East Grinstead. This charming town shares a border with Felbridge and its history stretches all the way back to medieval times when it was founded by a French nobleman.

One of the museum’s permanent exhibitions looks at the history of the town and the local area. Engage to discover more about the man who founded it in the 12th century and its history as an important coaching town between London and the coast.

The museum also hosts a great exhibition all about the Guinea Pig Club, a society that began in the Second World War and pioneered many techniques and procedures for reconstructive and plastic surgery on injured soldiers.

British Wildlife Centre

If a day in the great outdoors is on your wish list, there’s no better place to go than the British Wildlife Centre. Just up the road from the Star Inn, this wildlife centre is home to over 40 different species of native British wildlife, including foxes, otters, red squirrels, and Scottish wildcats.

Explore the enclosures at your own pace, or join special talks with the centre’s knowledgeable keepers throughout the day. Each talk takes about 15 minutes and focuses on a certain species, leaving you with plenty of fascinating facts to take away.

You can also take a stroll along the Wetland Boardwalk, which fringes the centre’s lush, protected nature reserve that was created in 2006. It is undoubtedly one of the best things to do in West Sussex when you’re in the Felbridge area.

A mobile sized illustration advertising local attractions near to The Blue Cap.

Go for par at Sandiway Golf Club

Formed in 1920 and just across the road from the Blue Cap, the esteemed Sandiway Golf Club is home to generous, tree-lined freeways with sandy subsoil, making the course an excellent golfing location all year round. Spot the oak, beech and birchwood trees, dotted with birds and insects, and as you play through the back nine, take some time to enjoy the ravishing backdrop of Pettypool — best viewed on the 11th and 12th holes.

The club holds an extensive history, from its original layout by Ted Ray, the first UK & Ireland Ryder Cup Captain, to part of the course being lost in the Second World War as the fairways were ploughed for food production. In the 1950s, some holes were lost or abandoned due to enforcement by the completion of the Northwich bypass, which you may drive on today as you make your way to the Blue Cap! Today, the club is often chosen to host international, national, regional and local championships and is held in high regard as a traditional private members’ club.

If your golfing skills are a little rusty, you can check out the course before you arrive on the Course Flyover page. Booking is advised at this esteemed golf club.

Sprinkle some time in Northwich into your day

Northwich is famous for its salt industry, which is, in fact, the reason the town has such few ancient buildings. The constant pumping of brine from beneath the district and the collapse of old salt mines has weakened the landscape around, sadly causing subsidence of the town, but this has been arrested in recent times with the introduction of controlled pumping.

Take a stroll through the old market town, pop into a few independent shops on your way past and, if you’ve timed your trip well, visit the monthly Artisan Market, full of unique treasures and handmade goods. The town is vibrant and welcoming, sitting prettily on the confluence of the River Dane and the Weaver Navigation, and has a distinctive look with its black and white timber-framed buildings.

Northwich lies at the end of the Heritage Cycle Trail route from Anderton Boat Lift and is home to the Weaver Hall Museum and Workhouse, where the history of West Cheshire comes to life through film, reconstruction, models, displays and artefacts. It’s a truly lovely day out for any family, made even better with a visit to a pub near Northwich. Why not try the Blue Cap, just 11 minutes' drive away, to complete a day of heartfelt memories?

The Ice Cream Farm

Award-winning ice cream, fun at the farm and family-friendly events are aplenty here at the Ice Cream Farm, and it's just a 25-minute drive from the Blue Cap, Sandiway, too. There are ten different areas for the little ones to run wild in, including Europe's largest indoor sand and water play, an adventure golf course and an arcade room for older children.

The Ice Cream Farm is also home to the world's biggest ice cream shop. The shop is filled with over 50 flavours of award-winning Cheshire Farm Ice Cream, which are topped with enough sprinkles and sauces to fulfil even the sweetest of tooths.

If you're looking for an event for the whole family, the Ice Cream Farm has themed escape rooms, scavenger hunts, toddler time and more. It's the perfect place to treat everyone to a day of fun and excitement in a fun and engaging environment. And, after a busy day of play, you can pop into the Blue Cap for a drink and some non-ice-cream-themed food afterwards.

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