Handcross: Surrey towns and villages

Handcross is a village located near to the National Trust’s 30 acre Nymans Gardens

Pétanque

There is a pétanque club in Handcross. Pétanque is a game similar to boules. The Club meets at least weekly, and take part in tournaments both in and outside the county. The patron of the Club is The Right Hon the Earl of Snowdon, GCVO, and they even have their own website: www.handcrosspetanque.org.uk

That’ll teach you

With origins dating back to 1887, Handcross Park School was originally called Newells Preparatory School, and was based in the nearby village of Lower Beeding. It began life as a boysboarding school, before becoming a co-educational establishment in the early 70s. It is now a day school, also offering weekly and full boarding.

Victoriana

Handcross is mostly made up of Victorian buildings, many of which retain most or all of their original features. There is an original Victorian post box on Handcross Lane, on the way from Handcross to Balcombe.

Flowers gone wild

The High Beeches Gardens, just outside the village, boasts the best natural wildflower meadow in Sussex. It is also home ti the National Collection of Stewartia Trees, as well as a host of other historically important and rare species.

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Nymans Gardens

Outstanding 20th-century garden, set around a romantic house and ruins, in beautiful woodland

01444 405250; www.nationaltrust.org.uk/nymans

Eat

The Red Lion

Busy on every night of the week for a reason – Sparkling Thursdays and Cocktail Fridays are particularly good value

01444 400292; www.redlionhandcross.co.uk

Drink

The Royal Oak

A traditional Sussex tile hung building, watched over by an oak tree that’s hundreds of years old

01444 401406; www.royaloakhandcross.co.uk