Luxury self-catering accommodation in Chichester

Haywards Heath has shed its sleepy market town image to become a magnet for creatives seeking a slice of country life in West Sussex, once home to the renowned Bloomsbury Group, with some members residing at nearby Charleston. But Haywards' literary legacy is perhaps most embodied by Charlotte Bingham, the town's much-cherished daughter. Her autobiography, "Coronet Among the Weeds", is a witty and humorous account of her life growing up as a 19-year-old debutante in the town, painting a vivid picture of its creative spirit and its ability to nurture and inspire artistic minds.

Today, antiques and collectors' fairs of international acclaim draw a diverse crowd alongside top dealers, thanks to a mix of quirky accent pieces and objets de curiosité from around the world. West Sussex's thriving independent wine scene and commitment to seasonal food make this a great launchpad from which to explore the county and its bounty. To immerse yourself in nature, the High Weald Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty is just a stone's throw away, offering leisurely walks amid undulating hills and ancient woodland, studded with sandstone outcrops and scattered farmsteads.