Haslemere is the town that we’re shining a spotlight on for this month’s In Focus – our regular feature that explores the areas we service directly from our team members who live there. Ian Gough, our Haslemere Branch Manager, is fortunate enough to live right in the centre of this historic and charming market town, so he’s shared his view on where’s good to eat, drink and enjoy the countryside that surrounds this popular area.
When it’s time for a drink …
There are a number of great pubs in the area. Perhaps one of my favourites is The White Horse on the High Street. It attracts a good crowd and there’s always a good atmosphere there, too. The front seating area catches the evening sun and it’s a great place to watch the world go by. Those who follow sport won’t be disappointed either, as it’s great for watching football and rugby.
Around four miles down the road, in Lurgashall, lies The Noah’s Ark, a picturesque country pub. During the summer, you might catch me there watching the cricket, but it’s also good for Great British gastropub food, too. I have a key birthday this year, so that’s where we will be going to celebrate.
Slightly further afield, on the edge of Petworth, you’ll find The Well Diggers Arms. It’s another pub with a great atmosphere and where you can happily while away the hours, relax and enjoy the views.
The best place to eat out is …
It has to be Dilli, a high-end Indian restaurant located on the High Street. They do something slightly different from your typical Indian restaurant. There isn’t a wide selection of options, but the food is very good. It’s not somewhere you’d roll into after a few drinks; it’s somewhere you’d go to enjoy the meal and the place itself. Hemmingways, a longstanding family-run café, is more of a coffee shop but it’s also a great spot for lunch, too.
When it’s time for some fresh air …
Well, I have two Spaniels – Beetle and Hattie – so I’m generally out walking with them. I’ll often head up to Black Down, which is the highest point with views of the South Downs. You can walk for miles from there, and it’s from here where you can enjoy views from the Temple of the Winds trail. If you make it this far, then you are in West Sussex.
It’s said that Alfred Lord Tennyson, who had a house here, used to walk this trail. There’s also a seat dedicated to Elizabeth Hunter, the wife of Edward Hunter, who donated Black Down to the National Trust. To the north of the town Hindhead Common can be accessed, which connects with Gibbet Hill – another beautiful spot – and then into Devil’s Punchbowl. Marley Common, another National Trust site just by Haslemere, is also well worth a visit.
Haslemere’s hidden gems are …
As an avid reader and someone who never gets rid of books, I’m particularly drawn to The Haslemere Bookshop. It’s an independent retailer with a passionate team. If they don’t have what you’re looking for, they can generally get it within 24 hours. Their second-hand selection is pretty extensive, too. They even have their own book club. In a world dominated by Amazon, it’s important to support local independent shops wherever possible – and Haslemere has many of them.
Haslemere Hall is a favourite of mine. It hosts live music and has welcomed The Australian Pink Floyd, as well as raft of 80s bands that were big in their day. It also has a cinema there, which includes 15-minute intervals in every film it screens. You never fail to meet and chat with lots of local residents, so it’s always a good evening out.
For those who like their history, then I’d recommend visiting Haslemere Museum. It’s been going for many years and won many awards. It has a very good collection of natural history and is used by many schools.
Finally, there’s a lesser-known place, just behind our office, called Swan Barn Farm. It’s a National Trust site that’s a quiet, rural retreat with ample options for walking to explore this varied landscape of woodland, meadows and pasture. Said to be the gateway to some of the most picturesque countryside in the region, there are plentiful picnic opportunities throughout, with pastures used for hay-making and grazing of Belted Galloways and pretty streams crossed by little bridges. Not many people know it’s there, which is a shame as it adds a very peaceful, rural element to the town.
Looking for a Haslemere estate agent? Contact the Haslemere office of Warren Powell-Richards to arrange a no obligation valuation of your property on 01428 656596. Alternatively, find your nearest Warren Powell-Richards office here.
