Languages spoken
French, Italian, German, Spanish

Local eating places
Haywards Heath is well known locally for its pubs and restaurants, many within 10 – 20 minutes walking distance from St. Stephens Cottage. Choice of restaurants includes Italian, French, Spanish, Indian, Chinese, Caribbean and even English!

Local walks
There are some excellent walks in the area - the South Downs, including the Jack & Jill windmills and Ditchling Beacon, Chailey Common, St. Leonards Forest, the Downs Link and Ashdown Forest.

London
Haywards Heath station is only 5 minutes away by taxi and there are frequent fast trains to London (Victoria, London Bridge and Kings Cross) journey time approx. 50 minutes.

Gatwick Airport is 20 minutes away by car,
15 minutes by train from Haywards Heath railway station which is 5 minutes by taxi.

Nearby towns: Brighton, Lewes, East Grinstead, Horsham are in the immediate vicinity and Chichester, Arundel, Tunbridge Wells and Eastbourne with the cliffs of Beachy Head are a little further away.

Local attractions
National Trust properties and gardens:
Nymans, Sheffield Park and Wakehurst Place are all very near. Bodiam Castle, Standen, Petworth House, Alfriston Clergy House and Batemans are within easy reach.

Other gardens: Borde Hill Gardens (with Jeremy’s, an excellent well known restaurant) and Leonardslee, famous for its azaleas and rhodedendrons in the spring.

Glyndebourne for opera in the summer is approx. 40 minutes drive away.

Bluebell Railway the well preserved steam railway which attracts enthusiasts from all over the world is nearby and even nearer, only 5 minutes walk away, is a miniature steam railway, open for rides in the summer.

Ardingly South of England Showground well known for the famous agriculture show for three days at the beginning of June. It is also the base for many shows throughout the year including the Antique Collectors' Fair often featured on television.

Hickstead Venue for the Horse Show in August and many other equestrian events throughout the summer.

Weddings Many wedding receptions are held at local hotels which may not be able to accommodate all the guests overnight.
St. Stephens Cottage is near the Hilton Park Hotel, or The Birch Hotel in Haywards Heath, Ockenden Manor in Cuckfield, Alexander House in Turners Hill near East Grinstead and Gravetye Manor to name but a few.