Walks in England: Exploring the Carfax

Today I am in Horsham in West Sussex, exploring the Carfax, a old term for where four roads meet. I used to live in Horsham and worked in the Carfax when I left school. The Causeway is a beautiful street to the south of the Carfax and it leads past St Mary's Church to the River Arun. From there, a short walk takes to a rare spot, a place where a river, a road and a railway converge.
I am Richard Vobes, the Bald Explorer, exploring Britain. Check out my website at: www.Vobes.com
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[@ZeldaFitz]

Horsham changed a lot when they knocked down St Marks church and built the inner bypass road through what was park street in 1988-92.

[@boudoirprive4834]

Not for the better either.

[@PassiveAgressive319]

Yeah, owned by Sun Alliance

[@passiveaggressive6175]

Horsham was a major employer at one time. We had Sun Alliance HQ, RSPCA HQ, Novartis and Disctronics in Southwater (Major UK CD supplier). As a student home for the holidays from uni, I got to work for all of these companies for a few weeks. Good times

[@michaelwhite8031]

Nice looking place. Shame all the new estates are rewriting it's history. Love all the old buildings, so beautiful. Really enjoyed this, will be paying a visit.

[@RichardVobes]

It has grown so big in recent times.

[@shahwalizedran258]

I hope they leave those cobblestone streets alone and not replace it with ugly tarmac.

[@philip2595]

Horsham is also the name of a country town here in Victoria, Australia. No doubt named after your Horsham in West Sussex.

[@terrybrown2534]

Best film of Horsham I have seen, born here in 1933, what a stunning film, thank you for a very thoughtful film of our dear Horsham, if you had gone under the bridge you would have been foot of Denne Hill, where the Soldiers were training, this was The Canadians, for the a raid on Dieppe , most were killed, bless them, also, where a plane crashed in the war, and I among other children, secreted away Perspex and we shaped it into tings and things, and I metal detected it for years, you have Barrack Field, full of horse related items, then over the railway bridge up the slope to the tight, through kissing gate, hundred yards, you pass a massive BlackBerry Bush, the site of the Crashed plane one of two the other one I think crashed on another hill near Kerves lane, and carry on walking is where the Napoleonic were billeted, where I found musket balls by the dozen, further on, top of the hill where the Wonderful Canadians were camped, and we the Horsham kids spent time as invited guests to parties, and had treats we had never seen, it took the taste of Whale meat out of mouths, what a lovely place for children then, we lived as free spirits, not seen too much now.Thank you again for a wonderful Film, before I go, I have a diary of John Baker who describes Park House as his home and delightful stories how they lived and traveled to and fro. Well done you.

[@RichardVobes]

Thanks, Terry for all the extra information. So pleased you enjoyed the video.

[@adrianharrison5208]

im sitting in my living room in Nanaimo BC Canada watching this video of my old home town Horsham, thank you for doing this video.. I had never really thought the Carfax too much untill now and never knew about the prisons.. moving back there this summer with my own family..

[@RichardVobes]

I am so glad you enjoyed it. Have a safe trip back.

[@Duffy512]

Horsham is a fantastic little village! Very clean. So much history. Imagine the families that lived on those streets over the hundreds of years. You could spend a lifetime researching the history of that area.

[@RichardVobes]

It's a town, Ian. I think Horshamers would get a little upset if you call it a village. It's a market town. But you are right, one can spend a life time researching it.

[@thommasholemuller2392]

Yes I think Horsham people are a bit whiny (I'm from Horsham well roffey

[@MIKE-lg1hz]

Very interesting history. Horsham looks a lovely place to live.

[@ramibu239]

Horsham is such a clean, beautiful little village. I just loved all the diff decades of architecture. Again, well done on explaining the history of another great place!👍

[@RichardVobes]

Thanks very much. Residents won't like it described as a village. It is a market town. But who is too worried! :) Thanks for watching.

[@ramibu239]

@@RichardVobes just tell em, ah she's American🙄

[@ramibu239]

@@RichardVobes but thanks for the lesson, I will try better next time!😀

[@paulpannell6694]

My mother, who just turned 100 years old, was born in Horsham, in a house in Albion Terrace, which backed onto the Capital Theatre....Neither are there now, but I remember them well, since I grew up in that town, and really enjoyed the video walk through It.

[@RichardVobes]

Thanks Paul. It's a shame about that area disappearing - I have fond memories about the Capital Theatre. I remember lining up around the corner to watch the Peter Sellers film Being There.

[@paulpannell6694]

Wow Richard, I thought the Capital Theatre had closed long before "Being There" came out in about 1977... "Winchester 73" was the last movie I remember seeing there in about 1953! Do you remember the Odeon and the Ritz?...If you lived in Guildford road, you'll probably remember St John's Catholic School, where I was a pupil. Of course, that's long gone, but the church remains.

[@RichardVobes]

Paul Pannell I only recall the ABC cinema. I remember seeing Roger Moore as Bond there.

[@terrybrown2534]

Paul Pannell ,Hi Paul, I might have know Mum, I married a Pennell, not related I know, but what a small world,all connected by the film of Horsham, take care,Terry.

[@barrygardner8458]

Thanks for posting Richard. I used to work at the old TSB bank in Market Square and have lunch down by the church and the river. Such a beautiful town.

[@RichardVobes]

The town has changed so much over the year since I worked there as a young man.

[@MrGreatplum]

My home town - still a lovely place!

[@RichardVobes]

Mine too - yes I must visit again.

[@SimonBrown]

I've added Horsham to my list of places to visit - looks lovely.

[@RichardVobes]

Simon Brown Yes it is!

[@thommasholemuller2392]

Simon Brown it's beautiful just don't moan about the carfax they get angry

[@cybrk1789]

Simon Brown I live there and recommend it to you

[@tiffany-ef6gm]

Its amazing :D

[@joelymatthews9627]

i live here, you should come it’s not too bad haha :)

[@charlesstell506]

Thanks Richard, A lovely walk. Horsham history spans a considerable number of years.

[@RichardVobes]

Charles Stell Thanks Charles. Yes it sure does!

[@shahwalizedran258]

Horsham is a lovely. Those cobblestone streets look beautiful.

[@luciabruno3500]

Ello there Richard, I for one, really do appreciate the rail, road and river all together, what an excellent load of building work it all is. Horsham ain't far from me and i'm a bit inspired to go and visit, thanks to your loveley video...But i gotta tell you this, dear Richard of August 2017.....You'll Never guess what you'll be talking about in SIX year's time, honestly, not in your wildest imaginings. Not on your Nelly....Ain't time travel great. Love, Michael Kristian.

[@zoeschofield]

Horsham looks like a beautiful town. I will definitely visit in the future. Really enjoyed watching this

[@RichardVobes]

Thanks Zoe - a great town with stacks of history.

[@waynehead7549]

We live in New Zealand by my wife grew up in Southwater. Her family still live in the area and told us about your videos. We really love watching them and hope to visit some of the places when we are in Britain next year.

[@RichardVobes]

I am thrilled you are enjoying them - thanks for letting me know.

[@madmartinline6]

My elderly Sunday school teacher in Horsham in the late 1950's early 60's lived in Southwater on the main Horsham to Worthing road. His surname was Towers. To my surprise he & his wife decided to upsticks & leave the UK & go out to live in New Zealand with one of his children who already had moved there. Don't suppose there is any connection ?

[@chrimorhen4585]

I live in Horsham found this very interesting

[@RichardVobes]

Chri Morhen Oh cook beans. Thanks for watching .

[@Moth-sd4db]

Very enjoyable video Richard. I worked in Horsham for many years and have fond memories of the place.

[@lindacharman3721]

Great video. Thank you

[@benbelcher2056]

Good memories of that section next to the river Arun (around 11:30) as that was where a group of us went the afternoon after our last A-level exam in mid June 1994 to deservedly relax in the sun with a few cans of cold beer. Wish I was back there on that afternoon now. I'd probably be sensible and put sun cream on this time though - ouch!

[@BrewsterTheBuffalo]

I love your videos thanks for posting them!! I was born and have lived in Horsham all my life. Neville Duke was a very famous test pilot for Hawker Aircraft and WW2 fighter ace. He held the world air speed record which he achieved in a special high speed version of the Hawker Hunter along Littlehampton sea front. The plane is now at Tangmere Aviation Museum!

[@RichardVobes]

Gosh, how extraordinary. I wanted to go round where Prewits Mill once stood - the original. There was a mill pond that my friend, Peter, and I used to fish in. Rumour had it there was a huge pike in there. We never found it. Also, do you remember something called the Elephant Trap, near Denne Park?

[@BrewsterTheBuffalo]

Never heard of the Elephant Trap before, Denne Park was home to Canadian forces during WW2 so it may have been something to do with that?? I assume the Pill Box is still at Prewitts Mill too? It was part of the Stopline Defence System during WW2. Also did you happen to look in the river just by the road/rail/foot bridge? You may have seen a large concrete cylinder with a hole through the middle? It's actually part of a road block that was used during WW2, it would have had a large wooden pole through the middle so it could be rolled back and forth to let traffic through, I expect at the end of the war it was just pushed over the side!!

[@RichardVobes]

Kevin Gumm Oh right. I never knew that. How interesting.

[@martinlanigan9202]

Like ur videos give good history the way things has changed and about country side has changed

[@haroldofcardboard]

visited horsham with family in may. love it there :) thanks for posting.

[@RichardVobes]

My home town, and it has changed so much.

[@Robby334]

Great video I was 20 when I left Horsham and moved to Leeds 1974 I went to FBS and worked at the Pilgrims Halt and the evening argus on the carfax - This has brought back so many memories Thanks Richard

[@RichardVobes]

My pleasure Robby - I must go back to Horsham and do some more.

[@oldschoollondoner4674]

I believe the river Arun actually starts in Horsham from an underground spring somewhere in the St Leonard's forest near to the town centre.

[@RichardVobes]

I will have to go looking for it one day.

[@chrimorhen4585]

Thanks for posting such an interesting video more please

[@RichardVobes]

Chri Morhen More in Horsham very soon

[@jhnlyon]

Really enjoyed that Richard. We are relatively new to Horsham and I find your vids both fascinating and informative. Thanks.

[@RichardVobes]

John Lyons Thanks very much John. Hope you enjoy my old home town. It has certainly sprawled.

[@jhnlyon]

So I understand. I have spoken to many that have lived in the town for 30 odd years and they always tell me how it was so much better in years gone by. By the way, I read somewhere that the name 'carfax' comes from 'scar folkes' from the anglo-saxon for ' few people' . Have you come across this explanation Richard?

[@RichardVobes]

John Lyons Yes, on old maps you see the name. I lived near Guildford Road in the 1970s. A lovely town.

[@imranzazai7404]

Very nice and brilliant.

[@janeausten4483]

What a lovely town ❤😊

[@welshmanjasonpatrick8607]

Very interesting place to visit

[@MsMaisiesue]

I haven’t been to Horsham for years, I think the last time I was there, it took me about half an hour to find my way out!😆

[@RichardVobes]

It has changed so much since I grew up there as a kid.

[@JulioTijuana01]

Great video, especially the audio, even in the noisiest moments on the street one can still hear very clearly what you are saying. It was interesting to see the place you worked as a young man.

[@RichardVobes]

Julio Tijuana Thanks Julio. Yes a lovely town!

[@HenrysAdventures]

Very interesting video! They look like Lime Trees at 09:27. Love the railway, road and river at the end!

[@RichardVobes]

Thank you very much!

[@robinengland5799]

Beautiful town Richard! Sad that most of the beautiful little churches in England go largely unused anymore! Great vidio, thank you!

[@RichardVobes]

Yes that is very true. I hope we can keep the churches going - it would be a shame to lose them.

[@marcoscu]

Many thanks, great video.

[@RichardVobes]

Mark Webb Thanks Mark.

[@thinking-as-I-wander]

I enjoyed that.....must consider becoming a patron.👍👍👍👍👍

[@RichardVobes]

Oh yes, you must! :)

[@Riddlestar01]

Thank you for the nice, informative walk

[@RichardVobes]

Thank you.

[@Riddlestar01]

The name "Carfax" derives from the Latin "quadrifurcus" via the French "carrefour", both of which mean "crossroads".

[@RichardVobes]

I thought it meant crossing point. When I was at a local promary school, Arunside, back in the late 60's we did a school project about the Carfax and I still remember it now!

[@azadahmedkhan]

I enjoy all of your videos

[@RichardVobes]

Thanks so much for watching.

[@famousfour4791]

I live behind the station here it is perfect always loved it

[@RichardVobes]

Lucky you!

[@pattismith344]

Hi Richard.... the Causeway has some interesting buildings.... alltogether worth a visit...🤗👍🏻😘

[@RichardVobes]

A beautiful part of horsham for sure and yes, well worth a visit.

[@AhmedHassan-rb7rv]

Great work I enjoyed your video 👍👍👍

[@RichardVobes]

Thank you for watching.

[@Gez-C]

Interesting video, learnt a lot about Horsham that I never knew

[@RichardVobes]

Thankyou very much. Every town has it's interesting stories, so hopefully I can root them out.

[@locouk]

The carfax used to have some underground public toilets if I remember correctly, it’s amazing how much it’s changed.

[@RichardVobes]

Blimey - I never knew that!

[@Cloughjordan23]

Yeah and the evening argus paper seller was nearby the toilet entrance. Kinda opposite the sweet shop along the top if you get what I mean.

[@MagicGuitara]

Lovely!

[@RichardVobes]

Thank you

[@angelarowlands6172]

Well, Horsham looks an interesting town for architecture. I am going to look it up on google now.

[@PortsladeBySea]

Horsham Church is one of the finest in Sussex. I never knew that the River Adur passed by so closely...I will have to explore that area again after the 2020 pandemic lockdown is lifted. The Horsham Museum, near the church, must be one of the best run and most interesting museums in Sussex.

[@RichardVobes]

The Arun, I think you mean. :)

[@cogidubnus1953]

Horsham's certainly a beautiful town and one you clearly have a soft spot for...borne out by your giving it fourteen minutes instead of the usual ten minute quicky!

[@RichardVobes]

Thank you - I hope not too indulgent for you.

[@cogidubnus1953]

She'll be fine mate ;-) PS Which bus company laid on your local service to Worthing back then (I'll give you a clue, it began with an S and they were green and cream)? ...and I started with them in October 1975 ....and alas am still there...gawd bless us one and all Dave PS Neville Duke was a Kentish man, (I say that carefully as a Sussex soul), an RAF hero and in the year of my birth, the fastest man on earth...my other half still has a signed letter and photo from him...he set that record over the sea just by Bognor Regis...he really was something out of this world...google him....

[@ZeldaFitz]

Like most market towns around the country Horsham has been meddled around with since the mid 60s, in order to accommodate the motor car. The final nail being the destruction of St Marks church in 1988, when they put that bloody great road through from Brighton Road. North street being almost obliterated in the process.

[@tooyoungtobeold8756]

I really like Horsham, the old buildings and little alley ways. If it was by the sea, it would be perfect.

[@RichardVobes]

I am sure I will do more in Horsham.

[@RobertStoneman]

Living in Horsham at the moment and commuting into London. I didn't know much about it other than the horses, another great video Richard! keep up the awesome work! I'll post it about :)

[@RichardVobes]

We must have a coffee then sometime - thanks Robert. It's changed quite a bit from when I grew up there!

[@cybrk1789]

Robert Stoneman I also live in Horsham.

[@dianapatterson1559]

I see that your name is spelled Rchard in this video's link. Your connection with language, as a former printer, is endearing. You know many printers, up until the 19th century were perfectly illiterate. As a former English teacher, I can say that I am delighted that you were never my student, as I would have had to spend my seemingly endless terms correcting you. Now I can just smile.

[@RichardVobes]

I think that was a typo.

[@The.Last.Guitar.Hero.]

grew up and went school in Horsham

[@allisonday893]

I’m from creepy Crawley down the road. Love Horsham and got married in the Horsham Museum.

[@RichardVobes]

Wow! What an interesting place to get married in.

[@allisonday893]

Richard Vobes yes we were going for a civil ceremony and preferred a quirkier location to the local registry office. I discovered the front room of the museum, to the left of the main entrance, had a ‘marriage table’ where the officials and couple would sit to sign the documents many many years ago. It was hundreds of years old and really long. When they told me they can conduct weddings today in this sweet little room I was sold!

[@1954real]

That's interesting we had a canal a road and a railway in Leicester until the Great Central way was decommissioned .

[@cherylconrad1157]

Cool Bridgeworks

[@RichardVobes]

Thanks Cheryl.

[@Hellyers]

I'm a Horsham resident - thanks for the video. Did you notice the bandstand has moved since you left living here? It used to be closer to the King's Head pub (now ASK Italian) but now it sits more centrally in the Carfax. Subscribed :)

[@RichardVobes]

Yes, I remember them moving it a while ago. I am not sure I ever saw anyone performing on the band. I do remember a coffee shop that ground and roasted its own coffee on the carfax though - and opposite where I worked was another printer with an old fashion platen press - I think they were called Horsham Press.

[@RichardVobes]

Just watch your pupper making video and saw your channel - we should team up one day and do a joint walk!

[@Hellyers]

That would be cool! give me a shout next time you're planning on being in the area :)

[@thommasholemuller2392]

Richard Vobes I believe one of Sunday's is a parade for the people who died in war and saved us

[@MrGreatplum]

The war memorial also moved slightly...

[@FourThousandMilesTogether]

I live here :) You get some odd looks for vlogging by the same people I do ;) haha! x

[@RichardVobes]

Belle Compton Oh yes I get some very odd looks. Keep up the vlogging and ignor the starers.

[@susanolson3611]

Thanks 😀

[@RichardVobes]

My pleasure.

[@passiveaggressive6175]

Famous Horsham alumni: Katie Price, Phil Collins and Julie walters - how eclectic 😂😂😂😂😂

[@merlotcrush1969]

nice walk through. you definitely make it sound good if you make it up.

[@RichardVobes]

Steven Middendorf Thanks very much.

[@echosnipe123]

What camera equipment do you use?? Great video :)

[@RichardVobes]

On that one I used a Gopro on a gimbal.

[@guharup]

Just curious, would rotten tomatoes be provided on the site? Or does one have to fetch ones own?

[@carolinesmyth127]

As a teenager, i used to loiter around the old bandstand... Not sure if it's still there. Doubt it. Or perhaps its been moved like the one in Crawley Town. Edit: Ah, just caught a glimpse of the Bandstand i think...

[@joelymatthews9627]

it’s still here and in use, lots of events happen up there :)

[@123keswick]

I wonder if there's a connection between all the breweries and 3 jails?

[@RichardVobes]

Graham Mcmullen I don't know. you never know!

[@bullettube9863]

Horsham, now there's a name! It looks exactly like what Americans think of when you mention English villages! Is a stout house the same as a pub? I noticed a shop selling board games next to it and a fish shop, do such specialty shops actually make a profit? And, good grief a Subway sandwich shop! I hope you Brits don't get the idea that they sell American style subs there! A real submarine sandwich is over a foot (300mm) long, with loads of meat and cheese, and just a bit of lettuce and tomato. Some are made with meatballs, or sausage. But unlike Subway, a real submarine sandwich will have more meat then bread!

[@cleopatra5682]

Hello I was just reading your post & thought I’d answer your question regarding speciality shops.. these would be independent small businesses & therefore making a profit or going bust.

[@bullettube9863]

@@cleopatra5682 Thanks, I like shopping at small shops and hope those in the video do well.

[@cleopatra5682]

@@bullettube9863 me too. Small businesses need all the support they can get right now. Unfortunately there has been a huge power grab in the past 3 years. The likes of Amazon seems too convenient for many peeps. I use my purchasing power like a vote nowadays only spending my money at independent businesses where possible.

[@natgoodwin539]

How has this just got into my feed lol, I'm the postie.

[@DreamBelieveAchieve.]

I think its in Banbury not Oxford

[@madmartinline6]

The Capital theatre was a great place to go. Shame they knocked it down. It was the place where Michael Caine first started his acting career.. Not a lot of people know that ! haha

[@RichardVobes]

I loved the capitol theatre.

[@comewalkwithme3490]

I wonder what Horsham will look like in 100 years from now.

[@RichardVobes]

Unrecognizable I think.

[@kevinpredragovich2737]

Am I the only one who wondered why all those lights were blinking? (I assume it was the frame rate of the camera or something) 😂

[@RichardVobes]

Kevin Predragovich I think it is because the Gopro has a rolling shutter.

[@thommasholemuller2392]

RIP McDonald's Horsham:(

[@RichardVobes]

I don't know there was one. :)

[@Lance1936]

Just seen your excellent video of the Carfax, Horsham. However, how can you be so dismissive of Neville Duke, DSO, OBE, DFC & 2 Bars, AFC . After distinguished war service as a fighter pilot (27 confirmed kills) he became a test pilot and set a new world air speed record in a Hawker Hunter off Selsey Bill in 1953 as I recall.

[@RichardVobes]

Was I?

[@cp-hp2ux]

I love my town of Horsham, its a good clean conservative town. With rich history

[@RichardVobes]

It sure has a rich history! Thanks for watching.