It may only have 5,000 residents but stroll down any of the cobbled streets, past the medieval, Tudor, Georgian and Victorian buildings and it’s easy to see why it’s been named as one of the country’s best places to live twice by the Sunday Times in 2016 and 2018 and has long been a favourite with kings, queens and stars of the stage and screen.
In fact, Midhurst is so pretty, nestled as it is in heart of the South Downs, next to the River Rother, it has been the setting for films such as To Kill A King, Doctor Who and Foyles War.
Now it has another starring role – as the quintessential Christmas-card pretty location for the festive season. Get into the holiday spirit at Midhurst Town Council’s Street Party on December 5 from 4 – 8pm where the roads will be closed for the Christmas Tree Light Switch On. There is festive fun for all the family with free funfair rides, live music and entertainment on stage, food and drink stalls as well as late night shopping – and a Santa’s Grotto to meet the Big Man himself.
The town’s Christmas Market is on at 9am – 2pm the next day at the Old Library and Market Square where you can browse for the perfect gifts for family and friends, take part in free festive crafts, indulge in yummy treats and enjoy the seasonal music.
Elves are working hard to make Christmas magical in Midhurst. (Image: Visit Midhurst)
Keep an eye out for one of its many famous residents and visitors – Jodie Kidd and actor Henry Cavill are frequently spotted here (though not together!) while Paddington and Downton Abbey star Hugh Bonneville lived here until recently. Hollywood A-lister Kate Winslett only lives in a 17th century manor a few miles down the road, at West Wittering, near Chichester, while if you head to Cowdray Estate you could be rubbing shoulders with royalty.
Henry VIII, and Queen Elizabeth 1 both visited here while, King Charles, the late Princess Diana and both Princes William and Harry came here to Cowdray Park Polo Club, which hosts one of the most prestigious events on the British sporting and social calendar, the Gold Cup. King Charles, William and Harry have all played here with other royals, including the Princes’ cousins, Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie, cheering them on.
Guy Fawkes was a footman at Cowdray House before his 1605 failed gun plot on the Houses of Parliament. Then, in the Civil War, the Parliamentarians used the house as a Roundhead barracks. The house was destroyed by fire in 1793 but the ruins still attract visitors.
Step back in time in another historic building in the town – The Spread Eagle, one of the country’s oldest coaching inns, which has been welcoming guests since 1430 including Fawkes, Admiral Lord Nelson and Queen Elizabeth 1. Learn to make your own Christmas wreath on 27 November (from £89) or indulge in a traditional roast with wine pairing on Christmas Day in the Jacobean Hall in front of a crackling log fire and twinkling Christmas tree, £165 per person. https://www.hshotels.co.uk/spread-eagle/special-occasions/christmas Midhurst at Christmas
Let’s All Go To Midhurst This Christmas (Image: Christopher Ison)
Boutique Shopping
With more independent shops and restaurants that any other Sussex town, a saunter down Midhurst’s West Street, Red Lion Street, Church Hill, North Street and Knockhundred Row will reveal an incredible array of stores, and boutiques where you can discover unique and artisan Christmas gifts.
Pick up a distinctly festive card from a local artist at The Midhurst Gallery or browse the stacked bookshelves of Wheelers for a classic, or new favourite author, as a present for a loved one or a treat for yourself.
For beautiful lingerie, swimwear, gym clothes, and nightwear – it is Christmas after all and who doesn’t plan to open their presents in matching family PJs? – Juliana Riviera Boutique is at the Southdowns Reserve in the town. Offering a wide range of sizes with cup sizes from A to K, the boutique has a personalised bra fitting service in-store or at home. julianariviera.co.uk
Thinking of redecorating for Christmas? For bespoke upholstery, made to measure curtains, blinds and quirky homeware, head to The Upholsterer (theupholsterer.com) in North Street which has everything you could want for your home for the festive season and beyond.
If all your dreaming of this Christmas is something that will last longer than the festive season, head to Carpet 1st Flooring (carpet1stflooring.co.uk/midhurst) in Rumbolds Hill to pick out a new carpet, wooden, hard or vinyl flooring for an instant update.
Stuff & Co has a host of design-led gifts, accessories, and home furnishings (stuffandco.co.uk) to decorate your home this Christmas. From artisan decorations to lights, candles, baubles and inspiration for a stunning festive table, this is an Aladdin’s Cave of festive interiors and décor.
If you’re planning a visit to Cowdray Estate (cowdray.co.uk) to go riding or learn polo then you’ll need to look the part. Head to Stockley Outdoor, the equestrian shop of choice, which has a comprehensive range of carefully selected quality products, at an excellent price. stockleyonline.co.uk
Cowdray’s not just about horses though – the 16,000 acre estate is home to a championship golf course, clay-pigeon school, and a range of accommodation including holiday cottages, tree houses and the 22-bedroom Cowdray House complete with helipad, heated indoor swimming pool, tennis courts and bowling alley.
New for this year is the opening of Little Cowdray at Fernleigh in Chichester where the finest produce from Cowdray’s estate and its select suppliers will be showcased. This thoughtfully curated new offering – described as ‘farm shop, deli, butchery and lifestyle’ is open Monday – Saturday 9am – 5pm and Sundays 10am – 3pm at Fernleigh, North Street, just a few minutes’ walk from the cathedral.
Back at the estate indulge in a Christmas Afternoon Tea at The Walled Garden, with turkey and cranberry rolls, smoked salmon and horseradish cream sandwiches, cucumber and cream cheese finger sandwiches and egg mayonnaise and cress mini rolls followed by cranberry scones, clotted cream and jam and Tiramisu milles feuilles among other sweet delights. £35,50 per adult, £13 per child.
A large Pallant of Arundel Sussex Hamper is bursting with local produce. (Image: Pallant of Arundel)
Food and drink
Midhurst is the place to shop, eat, drink and be merry this Christmas. Why not try an afternoon tea surrounded by history at Midhurst Museum and Tea Rooms, set in a 16th century hayloft, where you’ll discover more about life in the town throughout the ages.
Dine al fresco when the sun’s shining on a wintery day in the Market Square, or choose from an international array of venues including Kemaelli’s, a Mediterranean café, veggie and vegan delights at The Lion’s Den or tapas at Faustino’s Wine & Tapas Bar which all come highly recommended.
Sample local wines at Upperton Vineyards in nearby Tillington or try a tipple at Langham, the award-winning brewery in the South Downs between Midhurst and Petworth, where you can try and buy innovative craft beers which are made using quality ingredients and a mix of traditional and contemporary skills. (langhambrewery.co.uk)
Pallant of Arundel has a range of hampers for Christmas in various sizes which can be filled with delicious produce. We love the Sussex Hamper packed with locally produced festive treats from Sussex producers, including Ouse Valley preserves, Montezuma chocolate, Horsham Gingerbread’s new liqueur and Nutbourne Vineyard’s Sussex Reserve (£70). For the ultimate in hampers why not indulge in the Festive Feast Hamper, bursting with goodies including cheese, wines, Bonci panettone rich with Vin Santo soaked fruit, fruit poached and preserved in liqueur, chocolates, cheese biscuits and chutneys, £295. pallantofarundel.co.uk
As well as the historic Spread Eagle you can drink and dine well at one of the town’s many local pubs including The Bricklayers Arms, The Swan Inn, and The Wheatsheaf.
Famous Faces
Paddington star, actor Hugh Bonneville, was arguably the most famous resident of Midhurst until his recent move to London, but H G Wells, author of The War of the Worlds and The Invisible Man, has three blue plaques to commemorate the fact that he lived here, all within a few hundred yards of each other. One is displayed near the entrance to the old Midhurst Grammar School, on North Street, where he spent time as a pupil and then as a teacher.
The town also inspired Anya Seton (Green Darkness is set here) and Ruth Rendell – of Chief Inspector Wexford fame – as well as Hillaire Belloc and The Day of The Triffids author John Wyndham.
Royalty have been visiting here since the 15th century – Queen Elizabeth 1 stayed at The Spread Eagle Hotel, while Henry VIII went to Cowdray House, one of England’s most important early Tudor houses, at least three times.
Must See
Located in Knockhundred Market, a 16th century building in the heart of Midhurst, this was possibly the world’s smallest museum when it opened in December 2011 with just one room measuring 8ft 6 in by 8ft 6 inc. You can see displays on the town’s history from prehistoric finds to Victorian curios. Recent exhibitions included A History of the Rainbows, Shopping with Mother – Midhurst’s Shops, 80th Anniversary of D-Day, The Angel Hotel and Marmite. midhurstmuseum.org
Must Do
Carols in the Kitchen
Wrap up warm and head to the Tudor Kitchen at Cowdray Ruins for Christmas carols around a log fire followed by a hot chocolate and mince pie on December 10 at 6.30pm and 8pm. Parking is on-site at the Walled Garden. £10, adult, £7 child, under 3s go free. Carols in the Kitchen – Cowdray Estate, Midhurst
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