Hickstead Showground

Hickstead Showground Events

Hickstead Showground hosts Equestrian 🏇 events.

Hickstead Showground Travel & Parking

🏟️ Address: Hickstead Showground, Sayers Common, Haywards Heath, Hassocks, BN6 9NS, United Kingdom Directions in Google Maps

Hickstead Showground is situated just off the A23, 15 miles south of Gatwick Airport, and 8 miles north of Brighton and due to its rural location and the parking available on-site, driving is a popular way to reach the venue.

Below you can find general information on travel and parking for Hickstead Showground. Individual events may have additional/restricted services available, and so we recommend clicking through to the event and viewing the Travel & Parking tab for event-specific information.

🅿️ Parking

On-site parking can be purchased when booking admission tickets. It can be purchased for each day as general parking; over the weekend, forward parking or ringside picnic parking is also available for purchase.

Priority is given to Blue Badge holders with forward parking near a road leading to the main arena (the Longines International Arena), although car parking will be charged at the normal rate. There is no need to book Blue Badge parking.

🚖️ Taxi

The showground recommends several local taxi firms:

Ace Taxis, Burgess Hill - +44 1444 242 424
Station Taxis, Burgess Hill - +44 1444 230 230
Hurst & Hassocks Cars, Burgess Hill - +44 1444 253 238
Blue Star Cars, Haywards Heath - +44 1444 686 105
Roadrunners, Haywards Heath - +44 1444 440 444

🚍 Coach & Bus

Hickstead is very accessible by coach, from both the north and south, with National Express drop-off points just 10 mins walk from the showground.

🚆 Train

The nearest train stations to Hickstead Showground are Haywards Heath, Burgess Hill, and Hassocks. All 3 stations are on the London Victoria - Brighton line with services provided by Southern and Thameslink. The closest station to the showground is Burgess Hill which is a 6.2 km (74 min) walk from the venue, so it is recommended that you pre-book a taxi to take you between the station and the venue.

Hickstead Showground Hotels & Accommodation

While Brighton is the second most expensive city to live in the UK, due to its sunny coastline and cultural treasures, it’s entirely possible to visit on a budget. As a tourist hub, everything from luxury boutique hotels to affordable hostels and B&Bs are up for grabs. While you’ll most definitely pay a premium for a beachfront sea-view location, head slightly inland to find more reasonably priced accommodation.

📍 Where To Stay

Unlike most cities, Brighton’s official city centre isn’t actually the hub of the city. Although the commercial shopping centre is located here, many of the city’s most popular shops, bars, and restaurants are located in The Lanes and North Laine, which are much more central to its main attractions, Brighton Beach and Brighton Palace Pier. However, it’s a convenient area to stay for easy access to Hove and the train station.

The Lanes and North Laine’s colourful bunting-strewn streets are the cultural and commercial centre of the city, offering a diverse array of boutiques, bars, and restaurants serving dishes from around the world. At night, these streets come alive as the (predominantly gay) bars and clubs open their doors.

Stretched along Brighton Beach, immediately west of The Lanes, Kemptown is a prime location for those who want to be within minutes of the beach and shops whilst enjoying a more laid back atmosphere. Rather than an all night party, this neighbourhood’s pubs and bars are ideal for a more casual evening drink.

Hove and Seven Dials, located west and north of Brighton city centre respectively, are quieter Victorian-era family-oriented areas with their own sense of community. Although they’re within easy reach of central Brighton, their own highly-praised collection of shops and restaurants will perhaps keep you too busy to explore.

If you’re staying close to the seafront, all of Brighton’s attractions will be easily reached on foot. For those staying further out, there’s a reliable bus service.

About Hickstead Showground

Hickstead Showground - sometimes called the All England Jumping Course - is an open-air field and showground area used for shows and is located in West Sussex, UK. Perhaps the most notable event held at Hickstead is the Royal International Horse Show which is an equestrian event held annually and includes showjumping events as well as displays where the showground is filled with side events and exhibitions. The venue also hosts the Al Shira'aa Hickstead Derby Meeting along with dressage events and pony championships.

🍔 Food & Drink

Picnics are allowed on the showground, although there is also a host of restaurants, bars, catering concessions to choose from too.

💂 Entry Gates

The start time of the action in the main arena (the Longines International Arena) differs daily, but the gates are open from 08:00 every day for the general public.

🚽 Toilets

There are toilet facilities conveniently located throughout the venue.

🧑‍🦽 Disabled Facilities

Disabled toilets - there are accessible toilets at different locations around the venue including by the main arena (the Longines International Arena)
Event mobility - some areas of the showground are totally on grass, including a proportion of the shopping village. A hard standing driveway leads from the car park to rings 2- 5 and the Roger Stack Arena

🆘 Help Points

WiFi - there are some Wi-Fi hotspots that you can connect to based around the showground
Dogs - the venue is very dog friendly, but dogs must be kept on a lead at all times and you are asked to clean up after your dog. Dogs should not be left in cars
ATMs - there will be a cashpoint available on the showground. It will be located behind the Members' Enclosure within the shopping village